Willard and Lucile Frisbee have a vision for their farmland.  They see Riverdale Farm in Delhi continuing as a working farm through the next two generations, at least.  When their son, Ronald and his son Gideon Frisbee expressed interest in taking over the family business, Willard and Lucile got serious.  The Frisbees took action, put their vision into play, and placed a conservation easement on 107 acres of working farmland adjacent to the West Branch of the Delaware River.  "By protecting farmland, we're guaranteeing that the family farm business will continue without interruption or hindrance,", says Lucile.  "It's just good stewardship of the land that's been in the Frisbee family since the 1800's."  In June 2011 the Frisbees achieved their goal.  It was a turning point in their family history.

 

It was a turning point also for the Watershed Agricultural Council which now holds over 20,000 acres in conservation easements. "How fitting that the Frisbees' decision to place Riverdale Farm here in Delaware County into farmland protection also marks a new milestone for us," noted Executive Director Craig Cashman. "Willard and Lucile share our common goals, to protect working landscapes and to keep farming alive and profitable throughout the watershed. We work with funding from New York City Department of Environmental Protection earmarked specifically for farmland protection to address three key issues. First, the easement allows the family to continue working as a farm and forest enterprise. Second, the easement allows the family to remove capital from the property and put it to work somewhere else, like investing in a retirement vehicle or new equipment or livestock for the farm. Lastly, the conservation easement protects water quality and the working landscape. We need clean water and clean food, and protecting farmland through this land-use approach serves multiple purposes."

Read more on this story under Conservation Easement Program Success Stories.   

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The Northeastern Loggers' Association (NELA) recently honored Jake Rosa and Dry Brook Custom Logging and Lumber of Arkville, NY as the winner of its 2010 Outstanding Logging Operator Award. Jake was one of eight regional forestry professionals recognized for excellence in categories including logging operator, sawmill operator, and contributors to safety, leadership, education and activism. Read more about Catskill WoodNet member Jake Rosa and this story...

   

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Some agricultural construction projects addressing on-farm water quality issues can be quite large and complex. This time-lapse video chronicles in just 30 seconds what took 7.5 hours to complete. For this 2004 manure storage project, construction required 460 cubic yards of concrete for the base pad. To do so required coordinating two pump trucks, multiple construction crews and over 50 loads of delivered concrete to install the base of two-million-gallon, above-ground manure storage for one of the largest dairies in Delaware County. Funding for this project's construction costs were covered by USDA EQIP, New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Watershed Agricultural Council.

The Forestry Program teamed up with Delaware County eCenter to offer an 8-week series dedicated to connecting your business through social media and networking channels. Catskill WoodNet members are eligible for workshop reimbursement ($15 per workshop plus mileage). At left, Ray Pucci of Be Smart (seated) explains the nuances of Facebook to Wood Products U&M Specialist Joshua Van Brakle (center) and two seminar attendees. For more details on the "Get 4 - Selling on eBayWired for Breakfast" series, contact Wood Products Utilization & Marketing Specialist Josh VanBrakle. The reminaing summer schedule includes: