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The Latest News and Upcoming Programs
from the Peconic Land Trust.
November 21, 2015
Your gift provides the resources needed to conserve Long Island's
working farms and natural lands.
If you have already made a gift this year, THANK YOU!
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Ag Grant Opportunities Help Fund
Growth & Transition
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New York State Announces New Young Farmer Grant
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A new grant program from New York State, announced in late October, will provide
$1  million in funding to support new farmers entering the New York agribusiness community. The "$1 million New Farmers Grant Fund" will provide grants of up to 50 percent of total project costs -- with a minimum of $15,000 and a maximum of $50,000 for up to 50 percent of project costs. This is a matching program.
Eligible projects include the purchase of farm machinery, supplies and equipment, and construction or improvement of farm buildings. The fund will be administered by Empire State Development in consult with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. It is open to New York farmers in the first 10 years of operation on 150 acres or less.
The deadline for submissions is January 22, 2016.
For more information, including the application and guidelines, visit:
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Trust Administered Ag Capital Grant Open
and Accepting Applications --
$1 Million in Funding is Available.
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Earlier this year, the Peconic Land Trust announced a grant program -- The Long Island  Agricultural Capital Equipment Grant Program.
Also funded by Empire State Development, the Trust is administering this $1 million grant, which will provide reimbursement of up to 20 percent of the purchase of new or used capital equipment and infrastructure, with a maximum award per farmer/farm operation of $25,000.
We've been receiving applications, but there's still time to apply. Applications will be taken on a rolling basis until the funds are fully distributed. To date, pre-approval has been granted to 100 percent of the farmers that have applied.
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Long Island Grown: Local Farmers and Producers
Discuss Opportunities and Challenges
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Video: Didn't get a chance to join us this Spring?
See the highlights and make a plan to join us next year!
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Thanks to volunteer videographer Geoffrey Wells, you can catch some of the highlights from this year's "Long Island Grown" series! The popular 4-part series features conversations with local farmers and producers, moderated by Laura Donnelly. This year we included fruit farmers, a beekeeper, a baker, micro-green grower, livestock farmers, mixologist, and some very talented artisanal food producers.
Check out Geoffrey's Recap to get a flavor of the discussion, and make a plan to join us this coming Spring. Our new line-up will be announced in February -- with presentations scheduled for March and April.
You've enjoyed the fruits of their labor over the years. Come meet these
dynamic and inventive farmers and producers
who work right in your community!
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Fall Conferences Give Trust Staff
an Opportunity to Share and Learn
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Land Trust Alliance Rally in Sacramento
In October, several Trust staff traveled to Sacramento, CA for the National Land Trust Rally,
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Peconic Land Trust Staff tours with
Marin Agricultural Land Trust and
Peninsula Open Space Trust
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organized and hosted by the Land Trust Alliance and a number of California-based land trusts. The conference provided exceptional training and networking opportunities for staff, as well as the chance to present our Farms for the Future Initiative to over 100 staff members from land trusts across the country.
The Trust's Design Manager, Dawn Haight, participated on a panel discussion with Jamison Watts of Marin Agricultural Land Trust and Jon Ramsey of Vermont Land Trust. Their topic, "Using Affordable and Affirmative Covenants for Conservation of Agriculture" presented cutting edge programs in support of new and established farmers, which are being replicated by other organizations facing similar threats to their communities.
While in California, staff also were hosted by Marin Agricultural Land Trust and the Peninsula Open Space Trust, with field trips to view important conservation work underway in their respective regions. Rally represents a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and learn from other conservation professionals seeking solutions to similar challenges every day. Staff from our planning, stewardship, and outreach teams met with their counterparts to share ideas, explore mutual opportunities, and brainstorm solutions to the challenges facing all three organizations.
Harvesting Opportunities in Albany
At the American Farmland Trust's annual New York farm conference, Harvesting  Opportunities, Trust President John v.H. Halsey shared the panel with Scenic Hudson, American Farmland Trust and NYC Councilman Daniel Garodnick to discuss financing options for agricultural land conservation in early November. John spoke about the Trust's partnerships with government and community partners that have led to successful conservation efforts across the East End -- most recently with the Edwards farmland in Orient, the Weigley farmland in Wainscott and the Danilevsky farmland in Water Mill.
The Trust's Revolving Fund, Community Conservation fundraising programs, low-interest loans from conservation lenders, and donations to the Trust were all options discussed by John in his presentation -- including the role of public funding from the Community Preservation Fund and other programs through Suffolk County and New York State.
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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
Honors Peconic Land Trust with its Friend of Extension Award
 Thank you to our colleagues -- and friends -- at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County for recognizing our important partnership with their 2015 "Friend of Extension" award! Trust President John v.H. Halsey accepted the award on behalf of the Trust at their annual meeting on November 18. We couldn't be more pleased to be a part of the evening -- learning more about the phenomenal programs offered by the staff of extension across a wide-range of areas -- from animal husbandry and farming at their Suffolk County Farm in Patchogue, to agricultural, aquaculture, horticulture, family health and wellness, and nutrition programs across Long Island and at local schools.
It was a terrific evening -- and we were glad to see many of our partners in conservation, stewardship and educational programs, including: Vito Minei, Tamson Yeh, Sandra Menasha, Dan Gilrein, Steve Schott, Chris Pickerell, Dale Moyer, and Becky Weissman. We look forward to our continued partnerships with everyone at CCE!
Stop & Shop Donates at Southampton Village Store Opening
 In October, Stop & Shop donated $2,000 to the Peconic Land Trust in support of conservation and to celebrate the opening of its new store in Southampton Village. When opening a new location, Stop & Shop makes a charitable donation to non-profit organizations in the community.
Thank you to the folks at Stop & Shop for reaching out to us and for their generous gift. Welcome to the neighborhood!
Long Island Strong: Loyal to the Soil
Long Island Strong is the entrepreneurial group of Long Island natives who launched a line of t-shirts and sweatshirts that provide a donation to local charities. This fall, they released a new design -- Loyal to the Soil -- and are donating a percentage of sales to the Peconic Land Trust in support of our conservation work. They make a great holiday gift! To get yours, just visit their website at Island-Strong.com
 Coming Up: International Day of Giving: Giving Tuesday: December 1, 2015
Will you be participating? Coming on the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is quickly becoming a recognized day of showing support for causes and charities that mean the most to you. We appreciate your support of the Peconic Land Trust and look forward to working with you to conserve the working farms and natural lands of our communities.
And don't forget to share your support on December 1 with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #GivingTuesday.
Join us on Tuesday, December 1 for a
"Giving Tuesday: Give Where You Live" Celebration
at the Rogers Mansion in Southampton (see below for details).
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Legislative Update:
Conservation Tax Incentive
Needs Your Support
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Also read more about the new
Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act of 2015
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America Gives More Act and Senate Bill 330
 As we enter the waning days of 2015, we are again asking for your help in reaching out to the US Senate to make the Conservation Tax Incentive permanent. The House overwhelmingly passed the America Gives More Act in February in a bi-partisan vote, which included the conservation tax incentive. Thank you to Congressional Representatives Lee Zeldin, Peter King and Kathleen Rice for their votes in favor of the bill!
However, the Senate has not yet voted on the America Gives More Act or its bill, S.330, which would renew and make permanent the land conservation incentive alone. If the Senate does not act by December 31, the America Gives More Act will be scuttled and the legislative process must begin again.
 Since 2006, the Conservation Tax Incentive has helped conserve more than 2 million acres. It is an important tool land trusts use in working with willing landowners that permanently protects land that benefits all of us -- land that provides clean air and drinking water, recreational places, scenic landscapes, wildlife habitat and working farmland. Unfortunately, it has expired. A permanent solution is needed.
The Conservation Tax Incentive is especially important for landowners of modest means, enabling them to choose conservation as an option for their land -- particularly farmers. You can find a special white paper on Conservation Tax Incentives on our website that details what's at stake, how conservation easements can be a solution, and how they work for landowners.
Senator Charles Schumer has signed on as a co-sponsor of S.330. Thank him for his support and ask him to reach out to his colleagues, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and let's see if we can make this happen. Senator Gillibrand has been supportive in the past -- now is the time to reach out to her and ask her to co-Sponsor S.330. Both Senators need to hear from you!
What you can do:
- Call both Senators: You can reach any office at 202.225.3121.
- Thank Senator Schumer for his support and ask Senator Gillibrand for continued support and to sign on as a co-Sponsor of S.330.
- Ask them to speak with the Senate Democratic Leadership about making the Conservation Tax Incentive permanent this year.
Additional background information on the Conservation Tax Incentive can be found on our website.
Let's make this the year that the tax incentive
is made permanent.
The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act of 2015
 Thank you to Congressman Lee Zeldin for sponsoring this new act, which would allow qualified non-profit land trusts to hold the interests in land (conservation easements) financed in part by Forest Legacy funds, if a state voluntarily chooses to elect this option.
This act would leverage more private, philanthropic cost sharing for projects in the Forest Legacy Program by opening up funds from private donors. For more information on the act, visit our website for a white paper on Frequently Asked Questions.
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For more information on the Conservation Easement Tax Incentive and the Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act, contact Julie Zaykowski, Director of Administration, at 631.283.3195. |
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Connect with us all year round . . . .
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Thank you for a great season!
While our activities are winding down for 2015,
plans are underway for another great lineup in 2016.
Have suggestions on programming?
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Watercolor Workshops Continue
Saturdays in December, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
The slower pace of the winter season offers the perfect opportunity to learn something new! Join Lois Bender for her weekly watercolor classes, beginners welcome. With a focus on florals, landscapes and the environment, Lois will help you develop your inner artist. Class series set for Dec 5, 12, and 19. $45/class, prepaid reservation required. For more information and to register, please visit Lois' website at www.GardenSpiritsNY.com.
 "Giving Tuesday"
Celebration
Tuesday, December 1, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Rogers Mansion at Southampton Historical Museum,
17 Meetinghouse Lane, Southampton Village
The Peconic Land Trust is proud to be a member of "Give Where You Live!" This campaign seeks to raise awareness and urges you to include local non-profits in your charitable giving. Many of these organizations provide critical services and support to your East End friends and neighbors in need, and also help preserve the beauty and natural environment that we all cherish. Please join us for a wine and cheese reception and
meet some hard working members of these organizations, toast their success in 2015, and learn more about their work on behalf of your community.
RSVP by Wednesday, November 25 to Susie Roden at 631.726.8715 or email to:
SRoden@GiveWhereYouLiveHamptons.org
 Annual Holiday Wreath Workshop with Diana ConklinSunday, December 6, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Bridge Gardens, 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton
A few spots are left for our popular holiday workshop! Learn the techniques for enhancing the basic evergreen wreath using fresh and dried materials brought by instructor Diana Conklin, including greens, flowers, berries, and more. Bring your bow, seashells, lights - whatever inspires you - to create your holiday masterpiece! $30/wreath, includes all materials and light refreshments. Bring work gloves and clippers. Space is limited, prepaid reservations a must -- call today!
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Peconic Land Trust conserves Long Island's working farms, natural lands and heritage for our communities now and in the future. To learn more, call us at 631.283.3195, email to info@PeconicLandTrust.org or visit us online at www.PeconicLandTrust.org.
Financial Disclosure Statement: A copy of the last financial report filed with the New York State Attorney General may be obtained in writing to: New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau, Attn.: FOIL Officer, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 or Peconic Land Trust, PO Box 1776, Southampton, NY 11969.
Please help us further reduce our carbon footprint. If you change your address, or would like to receive all (or some) of your communications from the Peconic Land Trust by email, let us know! Contact Janet Schutt, Systems Manager, at 631.283.3195 ext. 24 or email her at JSchutt@PeconicLandTrust.org.
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