Submitted by Katie Jilek, ASA Communications Director
The Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) has joined with Scenic Hudson, to announce the permanent protection of the 555-acre GEM Farms in Schodack for agricultural use. The protection is part of a grant that awards farmers for entering the Farmland Protection Program, administered by the ASA in Rensselaer and Washington Counties.
To date, more than 125 farm families have joined to conserve more than 20,000 acres. The program has a goal of reaching 24,000 acres by 2020, and has launched the last phase of its Forever Farmland Campaign to raise the remaining need of $535,000 from the community.
According to a study prepared by Cornell University, each acre of New York’s farmland provides an average of 1000 meals per year. If left unprotected, this 555-acre farm would have been a prime candidate for a 400-home development. Instead, now that it is protected, it will remain undeveloped and available to produce food our region relies on.
GEM Farms is one or the largest and oldest farms in Rensselaer County, and is known for its large herd of buffalo as well as homegrown crops and produce.