PRESS RELEASE: Watershed Agricultural Council Creates and Fills Two New Positions
Council adds Database Administrator and Easement Conservation Planner; hires qualified applicants from Fleischmanns and Bainbridge.
WALTON, NY, OCTOBER 19, 2009 -- The Watershed Agricultural Council recently filled two newly created positions with local talent. Seth Hersh of Fleischmanns accepted the management position of Database Administrator. Troy Bookhout of Bainbridge was hired as Conservation Planner for the Easement Program. Both men will be based out of the Walton office at 44 West Street. In total, the Council directly employs 41 people; another 100 are indirectly affiliated through third-party agency subcontracts and construction projects.
Seth Hersh, Database Administrator, Watershed Agricultural Council
Hersh will oversee the organization's information and database management systems that compile and organize landowner data from three Council offices and regional agencies. "The Council is undergoing a fundamental change in the way it manages its diverse data," says Hersh. "I'm looking forward to affecting a positive outcome to how this data system will be organized. Everyone at WAC (and all our sister agencies) has data that they create or need. I'm enjoying getting to know everyone through their data needs - and how they will interact with our new centralized data system, POTOK."
 
Hersh has been working on programming and complimentary customization of the Council's database, POTOK. POTOK -- a Polish word for "streams" -- is designed to help conservation planners and staff in compiling, mapping, planning and implementing water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs). The Council works with over 500 large and small farm owners in the Catskill/Delaware watershed and another 50 within the Croton Watershed. All are integral in the regional protection of water quality through land stewardship and conservation practices in the New York City watershed. The two water basins supply nine million New Yorkers with 1.1 billion gallons of clean drinking water each day.
Troy Bookhout, Conservation Easements Planner, Watershed Agricultural Council
 
Hired as a Conservation Planner, Bookhout will work with farm landowners applying for conservation easements and help them meet the easement eligibility requirements such as Whole Farm Plans. Bookhout will also educate landowners on conservation planning and stewardship activities that accompany a conservation easement. A Certified Crop Advisor, Bookhout was the Council's first nutrient management specialist. "I hope to bring my agricultural experience to the farmer and share my knowledge," says Bookhout. "I'm familiar with the Council, its programs, staff and participants, so I knew it was a great opportunity for me -- to work close to home and put my conservation planning skills to work."
 
Conservation planning involves five tiers of farm practice reviews:
Tier 1: Conducting an on-site inventory of the farm's business, practices and potential water quality impacts
Tier 2: Establishing an assessment summary that prioritizes the impacts and landowner's needs
Tier 3: Planning and discussion between the landowner and design team  on how to proceed
Tier 4: Implementing BMPs that improve water quality, farm viability and animal health
Tier 5: Conducting annual visits to review the farm's status.
 
The Watershed Agricultural Council's 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 nonprofit is funded by The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service and other federal and foundation sources.  The WAC is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
 
For more information, visit www.nycwatershed.org.
 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
START: Nov. 1, 2009
END: Nov. 25, 2009

SUMMARY: Seth Hersh of Fleischmanns accepts management position as Database Administrator; Troy Bookhout of Bainbridge accepts Conservation Planner duties for Easement Program.

WAC CONTACT:
Tara Collins
Communications Director
(607) 865-7090 x226
(607) 643-5148 cell
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Troy Bookhout photo(high quality image)
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.