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Issue Date: CF-May 10, 2010 West, Posted On: 5/7/2010

A farmer’s dream is completed — and conserved for future

Fleming, Cayuga County — “I have been waiting for this day to come for a
long time,” stated D. Fletcher Ross of Fleming. “I’ve lived here in Cayuga
County, my whole life, and the preservation of this farm is very important to
me. This community will now be assured that the prime farmland and view
of the lake that this land provides will always be here. I wanted to make sure
that my family’s “home farm” would be conserved for future farmers — and
today, it was.” Fruithurst Farm overlooks the iconic red barn on the shores of
Owasco Lake, that was once used as the model for the Land O’Lakes butter
logo.
Ross, retired owner of Fruithurst Farm, was talking about the farmland
conservation project that was completed the week of April 28 in partnership
with the New York Agricultural Land Trust (NYALT). Conserving the farm
will help protect the lake as part of its watershed.
Ross entered into an agreement to sell his non-farm development rights with
funding from a special fund from the New York State Department of
Fruithurst Farm overlooks the iconic red Agriculture and Markets. The value of the development rights was
barn on the shores of Owasco Lake, that established by a New York State Certified Appraiser familiar with farmland
was once used as the model for the Land protection requirements. The funding was awarded four years ago, after a
OʼLakes butter logo. competitive state-wide grant application process, but Ross did not receive the
Photo courtesy of New York Agricultural funding until recently when the project was completed. Some of the funding
Land Trust (25 percent) came from a federal farmland protection grant.
“For many farm families, farmland conservation can be an important part of
their estate planning,” noted Senator John DeFrancisco. “Mr. Ross is to be
congratulated on his vision for his farm; our whole community benefits. I’m really pleased to see NYALT assisting so many
farmers.”
Local support for farmland protection is steadily growing, with farmers recognizing that it can be very helpful in transferring the
land to the next generation, reducing estate taxes, and facilitating long-term investments.
Members of the Cayuga County Farmland Protection Board had nominated the farm for protection as part of the New York State
Farmland Protection Program. Geoff Milz, the county’s planner assigned to the project, provided technical assistance needed to
complete the project. “The County recognizes how important farmland protection is to our quality of life, clean air and water, and
long-term ability to keep our taxes down,” stated Milz.
“We have a strong working partnership with the New York Agricultural Land Trust,” commented Steve Lynch, Cayuga County’s
Director, Cayuga County Planning and Economic Development. “The County provides a range of technical services and planning
support, and the land trust provides the assistance to help the farmer complete a rather long and technical process of conserving their
land.”
“The New York Agricultural Land Trust’s efforts are vital to helping our farmers preserve land to be used as working farms for
generations to come,” stated Senator Darrel J. Aubertine, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, who has been a long-time
supporter of NYALT’s efforts. “This funding will keep this 100-acre crop farm free from development and I know more farmers are
counting on the land trust to assist them in navigating the state’s farmland protection process. It takes a great deal of time and skill
to make sure these projects are done right.”
Ross can sell, lease, mortgage, transfer or bequeath the land he has protected. The conservation agreement runs with the land — and
the land remains on the tax rolls. The agreement allows for the establishment of a house within the farmstead area. The rest of the
100 plus-acre farm will remain free of houses, but agricultural structures are permitted.
Assemblyman Al Stirpe, who strongly supports agriculture, noted that “this is one way that New York State can invest in its local
food system and family farms. I’m working hard with my colleagues at the New York State Legislature to ensure that farmers are
remembered as we work through the budgeting issues.”
“Our local food is really important to our long-term food security and rural economy,” remarked Senator James L. Seward. “We
must invest in agriculture — it’s one of the most important businesses in New York State. Farmland protection is proactive. It’s
recognizing that our best land is an economic resource for future generations.”
NYALT expects to have three additional projects completed in the next six months, pursuant to the availability of funding from the
state’s Farmland Protection Program. According to David Haight, New York Director for American Farmland Trust, a national
farmland protection organization, less than 0.02 percent of the New York State budget goes towards farmland conservation. “We
need to invest in our farmers — New York State is way behind what neighboring states like Pennsylvania are doing to protect
farmland, even in this economic climate. They know that protecting working farmland is a rural investment that sustains jobs and a
stronger agricultural economy.”
“This is a great step forward for all of us,” reflected William Magee, Chairman of the State Assembly Agricultural Committee.

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“New York is blessed with outstanding farmland and farm families. We are thankful that our state’s food security, agricultural jobs
and economic investments just took one more step in the right direction today.”
“A recent study by the Department of Agriculture and Markets and National Agricultural Statistics Service revealed that farmers
who have participated in New York State’s Farmland Protection Program reinvest the grant funding into the farm, which in-turn,
stays in the community” noted Assemblyman Gary Finch. “It’s a win-win program for jobs, economic development and
agriculture.”
In addition to direct farming and forestry work, Ross (or future landowners) can establish home-based businesses, alternative energy
production, and farm-related businesses pursuant to the terms of the conservation agreement and in compliance with local zoning.
Assemblyman William Barclay was enthusiastic about the project’s completion. He explained that “even in economic slowdowns
we must not abandon our farmers, nor the commitments we made to them four years ago to complete these projects. Many have
invested thousands of dollars to complete the surveys and appraisals necessary to get the projects done. This is exactly the local
investment work that the Environmental Protection Fund is dedicated for.”
Numerous studies have documented that agriculture and farmland are important to keep taxes down in rural communities,
something that often surprises people. Farming does not require the same level of infrastructure investments that residential housing
does, so it actually can save towns money.
Amanda Barber, board chair of NYALT, congratulated Ross and thanked the county for their mapping assistance. “This is our
second farmland protection project to be completed in the three years we have been working on projects,” explained Barber.
She continued, stating that “We have a total of 14 other family farm projects in the works, all funded by the state’s farmland
protection program in previous years. The funds come from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a dedicated fund by law, for
open space which includes farmland protection.”
“This is the only statewide land trust in New York State established by farmers, for farmers, to conserve important farmland,”
conveyed Assemblyman Bob Oaks. “Unlike other land trusts that start out slowly, with a few projects, this group has had to mature
quickly to meet the demand from area farmers. They know that farmland protection can be part of the economic vitality for farms.”
“As a volunteer organization, NYALT has been working extremely hard the last two years,” remarked Senator Michael Nozzolio.
“The board is comprised of hard working farmers and those in the agricultural industry who understand that agriculture is the
number one job producer in this state, and they have had to create and run a farmland land trust — a nonprofit — and also learn the
ropes of the New York State farmland protection program. It’s impressive what they have accomplished in two and a half years.”
“Senator Nozzolio has been a long-time supporter of farmers,” remarked Nancy Hourigan, Vice Chair of NYALT and a dairy farmer
herself. “It’s great to see so many legislators recognize the importance of agriculture, farmland protection and our rural economy,”
she mused. “There won’t be farmers without farmland, and today, Mr. Ross and the many other farmers we are working with are
leaders in our farm community.”
Maureen Knapp, who worked on behalf of Ross to complete the project as NYALT’s staff, noted that “It’s important to recognize
the assistance of our Congressman Michael Arcuri who helped accelerate the pace of the project with federal funds. This was a real
team effort.”
NYALT is a nonprofit that depends on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and foundations, as well as municipal and
legislative support, to complete its projects in Seneca, Montgomery, Cayuga and Onondaga Counties, to conserve a total of 10,000
acres of some of the best farmland in the state.

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