WAC-DEP Renew Commitment:
WAC recently completed contract negotiations with NYC DEP to continue their partnership efforts in clean water programs throughout the New York City watershed.
 
Hilltop Hanover Seeks Farm Tenants: 
WAC's Yorktown Heights neighbor is looking for a few good farmers to join the Hilltop Hanover family. Individuals, community organizations and businesses are encouraged to apply; proposals are due March 9. For more information, contact Lucille Munz.
 
Biomass Expert Talks Before WAC Council
Jeff Forward of Vermont-based Richmond Energy Associates shared a Biomass Heating Opportunity Presentation that he and Wood Products Utilization Specialist Collin Miller are taking before five organizations that recently received biomass feasibility grants through WAC and the US Forest Service. At the Council meeting on January 27, Forward explained the different approaches to heating with wood and its by-products and to selecting a worthy site.
 
Three Join WAC Council:
Congratulations!  The Council has added three new members:
-- Richard Giles, owner of Lucky Dog Organic Farm in Hamden, Delaware County
-- Ken Smith, co-owner of Catskills Craftsmen, a 90,000-square-foot wood products facility in Stamford, Delaware County
-- Joe Eisele, owner of a beef cattle operation in Andes, Delaware County.
 
A special thanks to WAC's departing board members, Gail Hillriegel and Aissa O'Neil, for their dedication and service.
 
NYC Watershed as NYC Foodshed?
At the NOFA-NY winter conference last week, Christian Peters, Ph.D. with Cornell Crop and Soil Sciences, shared his study on New York State's ability to feed its population of 18 million on the 5-million acres of classified agricultural land. His research maps out NYS foodsheds -- the area from which a population derives its food supply. His findings make the case for conserving farmland already in production, freezing future development of ag parcels, placing fallow land back into grazing, and capitalizing on forested lands with livestock-based expansions. Peters' foodshed maps conclude that the State could potentially feed a third of its residents on a low-fat, vegetarian-based diet, with New York City potentially drawing much of its food from the NYC Watershed region. The findings further suggest that a significant share of food could be supplied locally or regionally, though the associated impact on fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions would depend on transportation efficiency.

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Catskills in the Park 
This weekend, the Pure Catskills campaigns for agriculture and forestry are teaming up with DEP in the Pride of NY Warming Hut. New York City's Department of Parks & Rec is hosting Winter Jam in East River Park on Saturday, February 7. Thousands of City residents visit Winter Jam -- a great opportunity for Pure Catskills to promote the watershed's Buy Local-Clean Water connection!
Of Interest:  
Living the Country Life hosts weekly television and radio shows. For ideas on how others enjoy and manage life on the farm, tune in for free here.
 
Check this site for online USDA agricultural grants.
 
There's a White House chef, why not a White House Farmer? Grassroots efforts are clamoring for turning the White House lawn into a Victory garden (again) and appointing an official White House Farmer to oversee the edible Presidential greens.
 
We want to know more about your farm, forestry business, WAC project or experiences in the watershed. Contact the Communications Department with your story, photos and comments!
Your privacy is important to us; therefore, we will not sell, rent, or give your name or email address to anyone. And, you can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every WAC eBurst.
February 4, 2009
 
Upcoming Events!
Penn Station, PA
Winter Jam in Central Park, NYC 2/7
 
NOFA Organic Land Care
Schodack, 2/17-19, 20, 23
 
 
2020 Vision for the Catskills: Snakehead Eradication - Sacrifice for the Common Good, SUNY-Oneonta 2/26
 
USDA Energy Grant workshop, Agroforestry Resource Center, Acra 2/26
 
Resolving Canada Geese Conflicts, Agroforestry Resource Center, Acra 3/20
 
Logger Training:
- Streams, Wetlands, & BMPs, Agroforestry Resource Center
Acra 3/12
- Adult First Aid/CPR
SWCD, Walton  3/20
- Forest Ecology, Silviculture & BMPs, Delhi 3/27
- Game of Logging:
Level 1, Deposit  4/1

Pure Catskills Farm to Market Conference
SUNY-Delhi, 4/10
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NYCWatershed.org
The Watershed Agricultural Council's web site

BuyPureCatskills.com
The regional "Buy Local"food-based campaign known for "Good Food. Clean Water."

CatskillWoodNet.org
The Pure Catskills brand for wood-based products

Donate Now
Safeguard irreplaceable resources, rural working landscapes and family farms by supporting the Conservation Easement Stewardship Fund.


The Watershed Agricultural Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City Watershed region. The WAC is funded by The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service and other federal, foundation and private sources. The WAC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.