In the past ten years the Catskills have become increasingly attractive as a place to build a second home. As well, New York City spends millions of dollars purchasing land in its watershed. As a result, land prices have risen beyond what agriculture can support making it incredibly difficult for the next generation of farmers to get started in the Catskills. We believe the "best use" for our farmland is as working farms that protect the environment and contribute to the local economy as our local food system.
We need more than simply agricultural easements however to address farmland affordability and to help farmers farm successfully. Farm Catskills is working in a variety of areas including accessing funding sources, advocating the use of agricultural easements and land optioning tools and in some cases creating community land trusts. In addition, we're building new farmer programs and a community network designed to connect available unused farmland with farmers. We invite you to learn more about all our projects and especially the Farm Catskills Working Landscape Fund.
