In 2000 Scenic Hudson spearheaded the creation of the Hudson Valley Agricultural Partnership (HVAP), dedicated to protecting farmland and strengthening agriculture in the Hudson River Valley. Supporters of the coalition include conservation organizations, farming advocates, local government leaders, farmers, consumers and environmentalists.
The partnership is working to secure greater public support and increased funding for purchase of development rights (PDR), farm viability and stewardship programs, and strengthening agricultural support systems.
The HVAP held its Second Conference on Agriculture in the Hudson Valley, "Agriculture in the Hudson Valley: Innovations", at Marist College in Poughkeepsie on January 13, 2005.
To join or for more information, please contact Michael Turton at (845) 528-3703,
or clarus123@earthlink.net.
Supporting organizations include:
Agricultural Stewardship Association
Albany County Land Conservancy
American Farmland Trust
Catskill Center for Conservation and Development
Columbia County Farm Bureau
Columbia Land Conservancy
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County
Dutchess County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board
Dutchess County Farm Bureau
Dutchess County Soil and Water Conservation District
Dutchess Land Conservancy
Hudson-Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Council
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council
Land Trust of the Saratoga Region
Lower Hudson/Long Island Resource Conservation and Development Council
Marbletown Farm Preservation Task Force
Open Space Institute
Orange County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board
Orange County Citizens Foundation
Phillies Bridge Farm Project, Inc.
Rensselaer County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board
Rensselaer-Taconic Land Conservancy
Scenic Hudson
Ulster County Farm Bureau
Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District
Wallkill Valley Land Trust
Westchester Land Trust |
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| Tod Murphy, owner of Barre Vermont's Farmers Diner, spoke on how businesses and consumers can support agriculture at the 2005 HVAP conference. |
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