Episode 232: New York Farmland: A Year in Review

This week on The Farm Report, host Erin Fairbanks kicks off the last show of the year recapping 2014 with David Haight of the American Farmland Trust. Since joining American Farmland Trust in 2001, David has worked with more than 20 local governments to establish agricultural economic development and farmland protection plans. He aids state and federal legislators as they work on agricultural and land conservation legislation and has helped coordinate projects that have permanently protected more than 4,000 acres of New York farmland. Talking about the recent ban on fracking that NY Governor Cuomo put into action, David offers great insight on the issue before telling Erin some of the highlights that the American Farmland Trust has seen in the past year. David goes on to say that 2014 has been a milestone year for beginning farmers to be able to not only find a farm, but to keep the trade alive. After the break, David shares with Erin the accomplishments of the Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS) partnership made up of agricultural, public health and economic development partners who have come together to strengthen New York’s regional food economy and improve the health of its citizens. Tune in to hear what’s in store for the new year in agriculture! This program was brought to you by Heritage Foods USA. “Well managed farms provide real water quality benefits when compared to, for example, subdivisions and housing developments. Once you pave over land it causes a lot quicker run off… like fertilizers and chemicals… pollutants [that] can get into our water supply.” [8:00] “One thing to look forward to is a new campaign ‘No Farms No Food: Join the New York Movement.'” [28:40] —David Haight on The Farm ReportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.