Poughkeepsie … Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino today announced the County’s Partnership for Manageable Growth (PMG) has officially preserved more than 5,000 acres of vital farmland since the program’s inception in 1999. This milestone was achieved following the latest PMG acquisition, a 143-acre easement at Obercreek Farm in the Town of Wappinger, demonstrating Dutchess County’s continued commitment to safeguarding its environmental resources and supporting sustainable development.
County Executive Serino said, “Dutchess County is incredibly proud of reaching this major milestone in land preservation. The Partnership for Manageable Growth has long been a cornerstone of Dutchess County’s efforts to protect the environment, preserve local agriculture and maintain the scenic and rural quality of life that makes our community so special. By preserving more than 5,000 acres of farmland, we have ensured the future of farming while allowing for smart, sustainable growth.”
Established a quarter-century ago, the PMG was designed to address the growing need to balance economic development and environmental conservation and has become a model for how counties can proactively manage growth while protecting their natural resources. The program was designed to fund the acquisition of land or development rights to protect valuable farmland and open spaces, enabling Dutchess County to assist farmers, landowners and local land conservancies to preserve viable agricultural farmland and open space. Farmlands, such as Obercreek Farm, are protected through conservation easements so they are able to remain in active agricultural production in perpetuity, furthering Dutchess County’s support of local agriculture.
Obercreek Farm is the 29th farmland protection project completed under the PMG since 1999. The program was established to implement the goals of the Dutchess County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, adopted in 1998, preserving the County’s rural character, natural beauty and agrarian heritage. In all, through the PMG, the County has protected 39 – both farmland and open space projects – in every region of Dutchess County, worth a total of more than $42 million. The County’s PMG funding provided 25 percent of the cost, or $481,981; the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets contributed $1,442,378; and the Dutchess Land Conservancy contributed $6,000.
Certified as an organic farm by the United States Department of Agriculture, Obercreek Farm grows diversified seasonal vegetables, herbs, flowers and hops for its on-farm store and brewery. The farm property, has been in family ownership since the 1850s and is one of only a few active agricultural properties still operating in the Town of Wappinger; 143 acres of the 186-acre farm will be protected.
In addition to the ecological benefits, land preservation through PMG supports the economic viability of the County’s agricultural industry, which remains a significant contributor to the local economy. Farmers who have participated in the program have benefited from the protection of their land from future development, allowing them to continue farming for generations to come.
Eoin Wrafter, Commissioner of the County’s Department of Planning & Development, said, “Preserving more than 5,000 acres is a testament to the collaboration between Dutchess County, landowners, local municipalities, and land conservation organizations. Our PMG success reflects a shared dedication to ensuring a balance between protecting the environment and supporting smart development in our communities.”
Additional information about the PMG program is available on the Department of Planning & Development’s webpage: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Planning/Partnership-for-Manageable-Growth.htm.
