Huguenot Farm
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Two Farms Campaign Declared a Success: 180 Acres of New Paltz Farmland Protected

Image Credit: Brett Cole

NEW PALTZ, NY - March 16, 2007 - The Wallkill Valley Land Trust and the Open Space Institute (OSI) are pleased to announce The Two Farms Campaign has successfully protected the last two farms in the Village of New Paltz. The Jewett Farm, owned by the Jewett family for nearly a century, is planted in hay and corn, and the Huguenot Street Farm, owned by the Khosla family, is a thriving Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Together these adjoining properties cover 180 acres, including 30 acres of important wetlands, high quality soils, nearly a mile of frontage on the Wallkill River, and singular views of the Shawangunk Ridge. A total of $962,000 was raised to purchase the two agricultural land protection agreements. Half the total amount was put up as a challenge grant by OSI, and the rest was raised by the Wallkill Valley Land Trust. The farmers continue to own the land, while the easements ensure that these properties will always be used as agricultural lands and development is prevented forever.

Bob Taylor, President of the Wallkill Valley Land Trust said, “We are so excited to complete this project. It is a win for the environment, for farming, for the donors, for the community, and for the Land Trust itself. This success shows what a community coming together can accomplish.”

Bob Anderberg, Vice President and General Counsel of OSI, said, “It was a real honor to work with the Jewett Family and Ron and Kate Khosla in protecting these two farms. For many years to come, residents of New Paltz will be able to gaze out over these protected farms at the Shawangunk Ridge and appreciate the vision of these landowners.”

This project galvanized the community to save the Jewett and Huguenot Street Farms with more than four hundred people donating to the Two Farms Campaign. While many donors were from New Paltz and the Hudson Valley, donations came from as far away as Massachusetts, Vermont, and Colorado. In April of 2006, the Two Farms Benefit Concert, headlined by Pete Seeger, was attended by over 650 people and raised more than $13,000. The project also received grants from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program, the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and The Nyquist Foundation.

On Saturday April 14th the Wallkill Valley Land Trust will be hosting the Two Farms Celebratory Party from 3:00 - 5:30 PM at the Locust Tree in New Paltz. Tickets are $15. Reservations are requested. Please call 845-255-2761.

The Wallkill Valley Land Trust is the grassroots land conservation organization for southern Ulster County. With the completion of the Two Farms Campaign the Land Trust now protects 22 parcels totaling more than 1150 acres. The Land Trust is working on six additional projects at present. This year WVLT will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

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