American Farmland Trust, Hudson Valley Farmlink Network Hosting Workshops In Orange and Ulster Counties On Farm Leasing For Farmers And Landowners In New York

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., April 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- American Farmland Trust (AFT) and the Hudson Valley Farmlink Network (HVFN) are hosting two workshops on farm leasing for farmers and agricultural landowners on May 4 in Ulster County and May 6 in Orange County.

"One of the biggest challenges facing the next generation of farmers in the Hudson Valley is access to farmland," said David Haight, New York State Director of AFT.  "A farmland lease is an effective tool, but leasing involves risk for both the farmer and the landowner.  These workshops will provide farmers and landowners considering entering into leasing arrangements with answers to their legal and financial questions and offer assistance in developing strong leases that meet the needs of both parties."

To host the workshops AFT is collaborating with the following HVFN partners: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County; Glynwood; Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County; GrowNYC and the Orange County Land Trust.

The workshops will feature panel discussions with local farmers, landowners and attorneys with leasing experience and cover issues including: farm leasing basics; legal issues; farmer and landowner perspectives on what works; common mistakes to avoid; and negotiating the right farm lease for your situation.

There will also be opportunities for informal networking sessions with regional farmers and landowners to explore potential matches and to further develop leasing plans.

The May 4 workshop will be held at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in the 4-H Youth Building, 249 Libertyville Road, New Paltz from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

An optional tour will be hosted by David Llewellyn, Glynwood's Director of Farmer Training, at the Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator in New Paltz.  Additional support for this workshop is provided by HVFN partners Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County and Glynwood.

To register for the Ulster County workshop, call 845-340-3990 or email to: [email protected].  The cost of the workshop is $5 per person and includes snacks and drinks. Pre-register by May 1.

The May 6 workshop will be held at Kaplan Hall, The Great Room at SUNY Orange Newburgh Campus, One Washington Center, Newburgh from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.                

David Church, Orange County Planning Commissioner, will provide opening comments at this workshop followed by a presentation by AFT's David Haight on agricultural challenges and opportunities in the Hudson Valley. Additional support for this workshop is provided by partners Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County, GrowNYC and Orange County Land Trust.

"Land access is a crucial issue for farmers in our area, especially those looking to start a new farm, but also for those established farmers hoping to expand their production," said Jim Delaune, Executive Director of Orange County Land Trust. "There is definitely a heightened interest in farm leasing arrangements in the Hudson Valley. Land is expensive, but we also have an amazingly diverse community which values and supports our farmers. This workshop is an opportunity to learn how to contribute to our food system by creating a solid leasing relationship with a farmer or landowner."

To register for the Orange County workshop call 845-344-1234 or send email to: [email protected]. The cost of this workshop is $10 for an individual or $15 for a farm or family and includes snacks and drinks. Pre-register by May 2.

Funding for both workshops is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency.

For information on American Farmland Trust's work in New York visit: www.farmland.org/newyork, Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmericanFarmlandtrustny or Twitter: @FarmlandNY.

American Farmland Trust will host the Farmland, Food and Livable Communities national conference in Lexington, Kentucky on October 20-22.  Visit www.farmland.org for more information.

For more information on the policies and programs of the American Farmland Trust, visit www.farmland.org, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanFarmland or Twitter www.twitter.com/farmland.

CONTACT:
David Haight, New York State Director, American Farmland Trust
Phone: 518-581-0078
Email: [email protected]  

SOURCE American Farmland Trust