Watershed Agricultural Council Annual Report 2005

Watershed Agricultural Council

2005 Annual Report

W A T E R Q U A L I T Y S T E W A R D S H I P P R O G R A M S

F O R F A R M A N D F O R E S T L A N D O W N E R S

Watershed Agricultural Council 2005 Annual Report

Once again, I have the privilege of reflecting on a year’s worth of accomplish-ments and to convey to our constituents the pride that we all feel in a job welldone. In 2005, the Watershed Agricultural Council had an extraordinarily success-ful year due to the dedication of our talented staff and our partners in forestry,agriculture, and conservation; the leadership provided by our Board; and the gen-erosity and commitment of our funders.

We hope that this Annual Report shows that WAC continues to excel at ourcore work of giving farmers and forest landowners the right tools to protect vitaldrinking water resources. In this report, you’ll read about improvements we’vemade in each program area to increase our effectiveness and improve communi-cation to participants.

WAC continues to work as a catalyst for enhancing the economic viability ofland-based businesses through the kick-off of two marketing projects to brand ourregion’s farm and forest products: a Pure Catskills branding and “Buy Local” cam-paign for food and a Catskill Woodnet initiative for forest products.

We have also increased our efforts toward building a fund development pro-gram that will grow the endowment for our Easement Stewardship Fund. For thefirst time, this report includes our growing list of donors and Silent Auction sup-porters.

We envision a time in the future where our region’s consumers understand the connections among farm and forestland stewardship, a fresh, healthy foodsupply, and high-quality forest products that are produced and harvested usingmanagement practices that provide a living in rural communities while protectingour water resources.

Thank you all for your support of the Watershed Agricultural Council.– Tom O’Brien, Executive Director

In the years ahead, the Watershed Agricultural Council of Directors will befaced with many new challenges as we strive to meet our program goals for waterquality as set forth in the partnership we’ve made with New York City. At thesame time, we are committed to assisting farmers and forestland owners in theirdrive to stay competitive in the rapidly changing national and global economy.

Consumer awareness of the positive effects of well-managed farms and forestson water quality - and the environment in general - presents us with some uniqueopportunities. One of those opportunities is the ability to maintain a way of life inthis still-pristine area – a place without the unbridled growth we see elsewherethat has changed the shape of our country’s landscape forever.

To achieve this, we will continue our work in natural resource conservationplanning, balanced with the commitment toward strategies that increase farm andforest economic viability. The Pure Catskills marketing efforts, our Farm To MarketProgram and forestry economic initiatives like business grants and the CatskillWoodnet all seek to benefit the region’s land-based economy.

It is also important to note that WAC’s efforts to stay engaged with our friendsin Washington give us an opportunity to focus discussions on the strengths andweaknesses of the Farm Bill, where important decisions are made about USDAprograms such as economic price supports like MILC, and the ConservationReserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for riparian buffers. This year, we wereparticularly honored to attend the White House Conference on CooperativeConservation, the nation’s fourth Presidential conservation meeting since TeddyRoosevelt’s presidency. Together with our City partners, we shared the story ofhow cooperation becomes a protective force for billions of gallons of waterthrough the voluntary implementation of stream buffers on private land.

Conservation easements are also critical to the continuance of farming inwatershed communities. As we move forward, giving landowners the opportunityto sell their development rights ensures the availability of farm land for future gen-erations while providing a tool for capital investment or intergenerational transferof the farm. It is wise for us to remember that those who have gone before ushave entrusted us with the safekeeping and stewardship of the land and our natu-ral resources. Let’s improve on this legacy and leave the next generation with thecollective knowledge and wisdom to care for the land, so that they, too, may alsopass it on.– Fred Huneke, Chair

Conservation Easement ProgramA Message from the Watershed Agricultural Council

Front Cover: Hilltop Hanover Farm, Yorktown Heights, Photo: © Vickers & Beechler

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In 2005, WAC worked with sixteen farm owners to protect over2,160 of viable farm and forestland in the New York City watershed.

To date, WAC assists 47 farm owners in stewarding their easement-protected properties, which total 9,600 acres.

This year, WAC land conservation specialists helped over fortylandowners plan future easements for their farms.

Conservation Easement ProgramThe Watershed Agricultural Council

succeeded in conserving important farm,forest and water resources through itsConservation Easement Program, whichcompensates landowners for the value oftheir development rights. In exchange,WAC holds a permanent conservationeasement on the property.

The easement is a voluntary, flexibleconservation tool that gives farmers theopportunity to protect their land whilekeeping it in private ownership and retain-ing its agricultural use. Easements fre-quently aid farmers in re-investing in theirbusinesses or transferring the property tothe next generation.

Our staff works closely with farm own-ers to develop easements that meet theirlong-term goals for the land while main-taining its agricultural viability. As WACprotects more farmland, we also increaseour responsibilities in assisting landownersin the stewardship of these properties,insuring that land management activitiesfollow terms of the easement. We accom-plish this through positive relationshipsand good communication with landowners,combined with field monitoring visits andaerial flyovers.

This year, WAC sponsored a series ofthree Estate Planning Workshops to provideinformation to landowners and profession-als about preparing for the future of ourregion’s farms. Presenters covered issuesrelating to farm transfer, estate taxes andconservation options like easements.

To broaden understanding and support forWAC’s Conservation Easement StewardshipFund, a web and print fundraising cam-paign was launched with a new brochuretitled “Preserving More Than A View,”together with on-line donation services atwww.nycwatershed.org.

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East of Hudson ProgramThe Watershed Agricultural Program

continues to implement and maintainWhole Farm Plans on 357 watershedfarms through partnerships with CountySoil and Water Conservation Districts,USDA Natural Resources ConservationService and Cornell CooperativeExtension. The Conservation ReserveEnhancement Program (CREP), adminis-tered by USDA Farm Service Agency,has protected over 1,600 acres of riparian buffers.

One of this year’s highlights was theintroduction of the portable calf kennelon dairies seeking to find a cost-effectivealternative for pathogen management.The kennel offers well-ventilated housingfor healthier calves, a cleanable surface,and animal separation to prevent thespread of disease and to enable thefarmer to spread or compost thismanure separately on the farm.

Nutrient Management Plans (NMP)continue to be a vital tool to manageboth pathogens and phosphorus in livestock manure. In 2005, 91% of allcommercial farms had current NMPs,with 68 farmers participating in a popularincentive credit program that helps themacquire the equipment required to meettheir manure spreading schedules.

WAC staff traveled to Vermont toexplore a promising conservation prac-tice called “bedded pack,” which com-bines manure storage, barnyard and afeeding area in to one managementpractice on the farm, which will be test-ed with producers in 2006.

As the implementation phase of theProgram evolves toward operation andmaintenance, or stewardship, of existingpractices, farmer education has becomeincreasingly important. Educatorsbrought the classroom to the farm thisyear in order to give producers a closerlook at how they can increase profitsand protect water quality through newpractices.

Working in partnership with CornellCooperative Extension, training incow/calf health and safety was conduct-ed in small groups of neighboring farm-ers and, for the first time, included abilingual component for Spanish-speak-ing farm workers. Pasture walks werehosted by three farmers who sharedhow their grazing practices for dairy,sheep and beef can improve profitabilitythrough savings on labor, energy andcrop expenses.

Watershed Agricultural Program

The Small Farms Program has grown to include 42 farms withWhole Farm Plans; 140 more operations have been assessed forwater quality risks.

Dairy producers exchange information on intensive grazing, whichreduces the amount of phosphorus from feed imported into thewatershed.

The portable calf kennel is a new practice that improves calf healthand reduces pathogen risks.

Stream crossings like this one are an integral part of establishing ariparian buffer.

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Hilltop Hanover Farm strengthens the partnerships of land-basedorganizations in a new Agricultural/Environmental ResourceCenter for Westchester residents.

Healthy horses need healthy grass. Farm managers are learningnew skills that meet these goals and benefit water quality.

WAC’s Watershed Forestry Program reached out to arborists with aworkshop on watershed protection and invasive species.

East of Hudson ProgramThe Watershed Agricultural Council’s

East of Hudson headquarters are locatedat Hilltop Hanover Farm in YorktownHeights. Until the early nineties, this 183-acre farm bred and sold some of the finestHolsteins in the country. WAC recentlycompleted a Whole Farm Plan at Hilltop,which is now owned by WestchesterCounty and under development as anEnvironmental Resource Center. TheCenter also houses Cornell CooperativeExtension, New York City Greenmarket,and Hudson Valley Wool Works.

The Environmental Resource Centerwill focus on educating professionals,landowners and the general public, andincludes demonstrations of best manage-ment practices (BMPs) for agriculture andland use. The site offers a prime opportuni-ty for WAC and its partners to showcaseagricultural and forestry programs in aworking landscape setting. As a first step,WAC installed interpretive signs explain-ing how BMPs help reduce pollution risksto the water supply. The farm also includes20 acres of forestland, for which WACforesters will prepare a forest manage-ment plan.

Most agriculture in this region todayrevolves around the equine industry,including horse boarding, breeding, train-ing and riding instruction. A PaddockDemonstration Project was initiated toaddress the specific needs of these equineoperations, whose goal is to establish andmaintain more productive, well-managedpaddock areas. This permanent grasscover will reduce pollution risks from sedi-ment, nutrients and pathogens. A USDANatural Resource Conservation soil scien-tist performed soil quality test in study andcontrol areas on three participant farms toquantify the impact of horses on soil com-paction and infiltration rates. These soiltests will be repeated in 2006 to measurechanges, and other farms in the CrotonWatershed will be encouraged to imple-ment the practices that prove beneficial towater quality.

On the forestry front, the first FieldDay for Arborists and Foresters, broughttogether professionals who manage and care for trees and woodlands inWestchester County and the lowerHudson Valley. Attendees learned aboutthe health and well-being of rural andcommunity forests, including updates on Sudden Oak Death, research findingson the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid and otherinvasive insects. Outdoor field sessionsdemonstrated techniques for improvingforest stands and Hemlock and AmericanChestnut trial plots.

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Throughout 2005, WAC ForestryProgram staff worked to protect local andNew York City water supplies throughplanning, education, economic develop-ment, and on-the-ground implementation.The year marked the first time the Programhelped to foster forest stewardship outsideof the watershed boundaries – in theHudson Highlands region of the state withfunding from the New York Forest OwnersAssociation and the USDA Forest Service.In addition to staff dedication and strongpartnerships with government and not-for-profit groups, the foundation of theForestry Program comes from the fundingand technical expertise provided by theNew York City Department ofEnvironmental Protection and the USDAForest Service.

Economic DevelopmentSince 2000, the WAC Forestry Program

has partnered with the USDA ForestService to help local wood-based business-es remain competitive. Over the years, thefederal investment has exceeded $2.2 mil-lion, with an additional $3 million matchedlocally. Thanks to partnerships with morethan 75 regional companies and non-profitgroups, the Forestry Program has under-written challenge grants and technical andmarketing assistance. In 2005, WACawarded over $211,000 to nine businessesin six different watershed counties. Theawards went to companies such asStamford’s Catskill Craftsmen, Inc. andMack Custom Woodworking, LLC inShokan.

Managing Private ForestsHaving a WAC Forest Management

Plan helps many forestland owners to thinkabout their woods as a long-term invest-ment. Taking care of watershed forests candefray the cost of property taxes or collegetuition; it can also provide the timber tobuild a new barn. But the dividends paidby good stewardship are often immeasura-ble – watching Pileated woodpeckers tapfor insects or water spill through mountainstreams. To help watershed forestlandowners pay for some of the prescriptionsoutlined in their plans, the WAC ForestryProgram initiated a two-year pilot – theManagement Assistance Program (MAP).This year, 20 landowner applicants wereapproved to complete timber standimprovement, plant trees along streams,release fruit trees and improve wildlifehabitats. Three more rounds of funding forMAP are planned for 2006 and 2007.

Forestry Field Day The Second Annual Forestry Field Day

at the Frost Valley YMCA Model Forest inthe high peaks of the Catskill Mountainsproved twice the success of the inauguralevent. Landowners, foresters, loggers, and

Investing in local wood-using enterprises improves the economicviability of owning watershed forest land. Here, Martin Keith createsone-of-a-kind guitars in his Woodstock studio.

The WAC Forestry Program is providing private forest landownerswith the key tools they need to practice good forest stewardship andkeep watershed forests intact.

Forest landowners learn more about the watershed forest ecosystemby talking with Peter Murdoch, USGS scientist, at the 2005 ForestryField Day.

Watershed Forestry Program

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research scientists converged on theModel Forest in June to learn about trees,water, forest pests, and logging. The FieldDay – a collaboration among the WACForestry Program, SUNY-College ofEnvironmental Science & Forestry, USDAForest Service, New York City DEP, andthe Frost Valley YMCA – is a unique eventthe brings family forestland owners togeth-er with natural resources professionals fora day of learning in the woods. The ThirdAnnual Field Day is scheduled forSaturday, June 17, 2006.

Logger TrainingThe WAC Forestry Program works

together with New York Logger Training,Inc. and local partners to promote TrainedLogger Certification (TLC) to timber har-vesters working in the watershed. Workingtogether with the Catskill Forest Associationand Cornell Cooperative Extension ofGreene County, we were able to encour-age local loggers to take first aid, chainsawsafety and forest ecology courses to earntheir TLC. With federal and City support,WAC and its partners offered the threecore classes for a nominal fee across thewatershed. Those efforts yielded 39 TLCloggers in the Catskills region, second onlyto the Adirondacks. With the strong part-nerships honed this year, we anticipatedouble the TLC loggers working in thewoods in 2006.

Wateshed ForestryEducation

Dozens of teachers and studentslearned about the connections betweentrees and water by participating in WACForestry Program educational initiatives andvisiting the Lennox Memorial and FrostValley YMCA Model Forests. The Programcontracted with The Catskill Center forConservation and Development to com-plete the 7th annual Watershed ForestryInstitute for Teachers (WFIT), anotherschool year of the Green Connections ini-tiative, and a very successful Forestry BusTour Program geared toward urban groupsinterested in learning about the New YorkCity watershed. During the summer, 20teachers from New York City and theupstate watershed participated in the week-long WFIT in the Catskills, and throughoutthe rest of the year, more than 1,100 stu-dents and teachers learned more aboutforestry, the reservoirs, and wood productsby participating in Green Connectionsactivities and touring the Catskill andCroton systems by bus.

WAC offers water quality protection incentives to loggers through a targeted outreach effort aided by partnerships with local forestryleaders and Extension educators.

orestry Program

Urban students in the Green Connections program learn about themountain source of their drinking water during different activitiesthroughout the school year.

Each summer, school teachers who train during the week-longWatershed Forestry Institute bring the New York City watershedcurriculum back to their classrooms.

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WAC’s Farm to Market Program kickedoff in May with the printing of 30,000copies of the 2005 Pure Catskills Guide toFresh Farm Products, in partnership withthe Catskill Mountain Foundation, NYCDEP and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.The Guide is a key component to theCatskills regional “buy local” and brand-ing campaign as consumers can find it atstores, markets and events throughout themarket season. While local radio andnewspapers gave excellent coverage ofthe campaign, a regular bulletin called theFarm To Market Update was mailed tofarmers during the season to keep themabreast of the campaign’s events andtraining opportunities.

Work began at www.buypurecatskills.comto create a companion web version ofthe Pure Catskills member Guide, as wellas to provide a regional presentation ofCatskills products to prospective downstateand wholesale buyers.

Higher milk premiums allied farmerswith environmentalists at an OrganicDairy Conference sponsored by WAC,Horizon and Senator Hillary RodhamClinton during May, at which over fortyfarmers and professional staff discoveredmore about the higher profits and waterquality benefits for farmers switching fromconventional to organic dairy farming.

Later in the year, when fields lay dor-mant, a bus-load of vegetable farmersjoined us for an Insiders’ Market Tour forFarmers designed to provide them withfirst-hand information about how agricul-tural products are selected, marketed andpackaged on the wholesale and retail lev-els. The tour included a trip through thewarehouse of a large produce distributor,a visit to a specialty market and dinnerwith a chef whose menu features localproduce.

Dairy farmers and others looking for anew business opportunity or avocationattended a day-long cheesemaking work-shop, during which Linda Smith ofSherman Hill taught the basics aboutfresh cheeses such as mozzarella, fetaand ricotta.

Over one hundred supporters tookpart in tasting Catskills chefs’ seasonalinterpretations of local food at three PureCatskills dinners hosted by local chefs inthree regional restaurants from Junethrough September. Pure Catskills farm-ers provided food for three themed din-ners: “Summer’s First Harvest” at ThePeekamoose Restaurant (Ulster County),“County Fare” at the Quarter Moon Café(Delaware County) and “CertifiedHumane” at Resort (Sullivan County).

WAC helped to coordinate exhibits tohighlight farm products at numerous sea-sonal outreach events, including theDelaware County Fair, Pakatakan Market,Margaretville’s Cauliflower Festival andSlow Food’s New Amsterdam Market inNew York City.

A retail display of specialty cheeses has Aissa O’Neil, a Catskillfarmer, considering the potential of cheese for making more for hermilk on a tour of urban markets this year.

A New York City buyer instructs farmers about standards in pack-aging and marketing for distribution, which is key information forproducers to succeed in selling wholesale.

Downstate consumers help protect their own drinking water by buy-ing Pure Catskills farm products. A reusable “ecobag” markets thebrand at a New Amsterdam Market in New York City last October.

Farm to Market Program Outreach

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Outreach

New Directions: Six dairy farm families explored the potential for value-added dairy by

attending an introductory cheese workshop in Greene County, taught by veterancheesemaker Linda Smith of Sherman Hill Farmstead.

Watershed Tours: Harold Grommeck of Andes hosts a farm tour of watershed practices for New

York City DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd. WAC staff, Directors and participantscontinue to conduct tours throughout the year with students, policymakers, andthe media.

The Karl Connell Award for Watershed Forestry: John Schwartz of New York City DEP is congratulated by forestry colleagues

upon receiving the Karl Connell Watershed Forestry Award at the Annual ForestryDinner in November. Pictured l-r: Karl Connell, Dan Palm, John Schwartz, KevinBrazill, and Marcus Phelps.

East of Hudson Audience: Interpretive signs at Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights showcase

water quality practices in a real-life setting open to the public. The farm housesWAC’s East of Hudson headquarters.

Land-Based Business Owners:Woodworker Paul LaPierre (l) and organic farmer Aissa O’Neil (r) shared their

expertise in operating home-based businesses at Local Government Day atBelleayre Mountain in Highmount, assisted by WAC Forestry Specialist, CollinMiller, (center).

Easement Stewardship Fund: WAC launched a web and print fundraising campaign for its Conservation

Easement Stewardship Fund with a new brochure titled “Preserving More Than A View,” together with on-line donations services at www.nycwatershed.org

Virtual Tour Promotion: The Watershed Agricultural Council home page was improved to include

more user friendly navigation, participant applications and expanded Virtual Farmand Forest Tours. A postcard promotion for www.nycwatershed.org will continuethrough 2006.

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Implementation Report

Revenue

Finance Report

Watershed Agricultural Council of the New York City Watersheds, Inc.

Schedule of Activities - By Program - Unrestricted for the years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003

2005 2004 2003

DEP Revenue:

Program Services:

Whole Farm Planning $499,115 $732,155 $728,416

Agricultural BMP Implementation and Construction 4,407,216 4,020,213 3,970,703

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 39,162 64,653 45,739

Croton System 482,372 474,833 182,873

Small Farms Program 186,447 65,702

Sustainable Agricultural Education 196,026 199,812 188,143

Program Administration 1,097,587 1,406,652 935,434

Forestry 418,116 368,284 377,144

Easements 5,057,810 1,568,924 603,558

Research 90,852 88,325 110,059

Total Program Revenue 12,474,703 8,989,553 7,142,069

Other Revenue:

Federal Awards 1,135,975 763,655 997,998

Foundation Grants 31,318 74,188 44,150

Interest 735 1,850 1,835

Economic Development and other Grants 21,675 105,297 123,453

Other 10,905 8,190 19,683

Donated Services 1,779,594 1,114,427 1,724,673

Total Other Revenue 2,980,202 2,067,607 2,911,792

Total Program and Other Revenue Carried Forward $15,454,905 $11,057,160 $10,053,861

Expenditures:Whole Farm Planning 499,115 732,155 728,619

Agricultural BMP Implementation and Construction 4,407,366 4,085,193 4,013,138

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 39,161 64,655 45,739

Croton System 482,372 548,869 177,873

Small Farms Program 144,360 65,702

Farmer Education 0 123,712 56,426

Program Administration 1,109,470 1,388,121 917,006

Forestry 1,229,870 884,992 1,288,088

Natural Resource Viability 232,361 80,522 170,835

Education and Outreach 123,207 61,839 66,535

Easements 5,063,347 1,501,189 625,037

Research 272,757 257,491 210,653

Depreciation 105,577 83,093 61,935

Donated Services 1,779,594 1,114,427 1,724,673

Acquisition of Fixed Assets (31,166) (350,531) (71,415)

Total Expenditures 15,457,392 10,641,429 10,015,142

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures (2,487) 415,731 38,719

Net Assets, Beginning 867,888 452,157 413,438

Net Assets, Ending $865,401 $867,888 $452,157

Donated Services10.55%

Research2.44%

Easements14.22%

Forestry8.38%

Program Administration9.83%

Sustainable Farmer Education2.52%

Small Farms Program0.62%

Croton System5.20%

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program0.61%

AgriculturalBMP Implementation and Construction38.69%

Whole Farm Planning6.93%

Inkind Services11.51%

Foundation & Other Grants0.42%

Federal7.35%

NYCDEP80.72%

Expenses

*per independent auditors report and notes to financial statements.


Implementation Report

West of Hudson Large Farms

Best Management Practice Number ofBMPs

Waste Storage Facility 7Brush Management 2Conservation Cover 2Conservation Crop Rotation 1Cover Crop 2Diversion 5Pond 2Fencing 18Filter Strip 3Lined Waterway 1Obstruction Removal 1Pasture & Hayland Planting 3Pipeline 3Prescribed Grazing 5Access Road 7Heavy Use Area Protection 6Spring Development 9Animal Trails & Walkway 31Stripcropping - Field 1Structure for Water Control 3Subsurface Drain 1Tree & Shrub Planting 15Tree & Shrub Planting - Site Prep CREP 0Tree & Shrub Planting - Shelters 2Watering Facility 5Waste Transfer System - Manure 2Barnyard Water Management System 8Manure Storage Shed 1Calf Housing Structure 1Calf Greenhouse - Replacement 1Calf Kennel 1Ventilation 1Enhanced Nutrient Management Credit 1Manure Spreader 2Manure Spreader Truck 2Manure Scraping System 1Manure Agitator Pump 1Solid Aerobic Bio-Dry, Compost Bucket 1Farm Dump Cleanup 1Pesticide Handling Facility 2Bridge Replacement 2Waste Management System 15Riparian Forest Buffer CREP 32Nutrient Management Plan 62Pesticide Management - NPURG 15Tree & Shrub Planting - Natural Regeneration 10Waste Utilization 50Record Keeping 50Manure Pile 6

Total West of Hudson BMPs Implemented in 2005 403

Total DEP Cost $1,428,502

Total Other Funds $262,650

Forest and TimberHarvest Roads Program

Road Type Forest RoadsTimberHarvestRoads

# Roads 10 13Total Paid $31,162.32 $36,713.54Road Layout (ft) 73,604 94,898Water Bars (ea) 784 832Broad Based Dips (ea) 20 15GeoTextile (lf) 215 250Stone (yds) 120 170Hay Bales (ea) 45Stabilized (acre) 13.4Culverts (lf) 226

Small Farms

Best Management PracticeNo. of Best

ManagementPractices

Brush Management 1Critical Area Planting 1Diversion 6Fencing 12Pasture & Hayland Planting 1Pipeline & Trough 9Roof Runoff Management System 3Access Road Improvement 6Heavy Use Area Protection 4Spring Development 8Animal Trails & Walkway 6Structure of Water Control 4Tree & Shrub Planting 3Tree & Shrub Planting - Shelters 2Underground Outlet 3Barnyard Water Management System 3Manure Pile 5Roofed Barnyard 3Manure Storage - Covered 1Waste Management System 2Riparian Forest Buffer 1Access Road Improvement 1Nutrient Management Plan 14Tree & Shrub Planting - Natural Regeneration 1Waste Utilization 14Barnyard Water Management System 2Record Keeping 14Manure Pile 4

Total Small Farm BMPs Implemented in 2005 134

Total DEP Cost $349,588


East of Hudson Farms

Best Management PracticeNo. of Best

ManagementPractices

Waste Storage Facility 1Manure Composting Facility 1Critical Area Planting 1Diversion 1Fencing 1Field Border 1Filter Strip 1Roof Runoff Management System 3Heavy Use Area Protection 6Structure for Water Control 2Subsurface Drain 3Underground Outlet 1Barnyard Water Management System 1Waste Management System 5Prescribed Grazing 6Heavy Use Area Protection 1Nutrient Management Plan 9Subsurface Drain 1Waste Utilization 5Record Keeping 6Manure Pile 2Pathogen Management 1

Total East of Hudson BMPs Implemented in 2005 59

Total DEP Cost $179,636


Forestry Management Plans

# of Plans # of Acres Total Cost2005 92 8,850 $71,368To Date 529 94,100 $533,418

Conservation Easement Program

# of Farms # of Acres Total Cost2005 17 2,161 $2,617,658To Date 55 9,598 $8,624,299

Thank YouWatershed Agricultural Council 2005 Board of DirectorsFred HunekeChair, Delaware

Dave CammerVice Chair, Schoharie

William ColemanTreasurer, Delaware

John CookDelaware

Sally FairbairnUlster

Anne FarrellWestchester

Steve Fleming Delaware

Dan GrommeckDelaware

Darby HartwellDelaware

Marc HaynesDelaware

Gail HillriegelSecretary, Ulster

R. Thomas HutsonDelaware

Peter KamensteinWestchester

Emily LloydCommissioner, NYC Department of Environmental Protection

Aissa O’NeilDelaware

Daniel PalmDelaware

James RobertsonDelaware

John VerhoevenGreene

Barbara WilkensWestchester

Watershed Forestry CommitteeRobert Bishop, IIDelaware

David CammerSchoharie

Eric DahlbergSchoharie

Steven FlemingDelaware

Fred HunekeDelaware

Daniel PalmChair, Delaware

Larry SchaeferDelaware

Emily LloydCommissioner, NYC Department of Environmental Protection

Ken SmithDelaware

Watershed Agricultural Council Staff Tom O’BrienExecutive Director

Cynthia AldrichNutrient Management SpecialistLorinda BackusProcurement Assistant

Marigrace BellertEast of Hudson Executive Assistant

Allison BennettFarm To Market Manager

Rob BirdsallSmall Farms Technician

Kevin BrazillForestry Program Manager

Paula ChristmanEngineering Specialist

Challey ComerEngineering Specialist

Carrie DavisWater Quality Specialist

Dan DeysenrothNutrient Management Specialist

Dave DolanLand Conservation Specialist

Dan FlahertySmall Farms Coordinator

Colleen GriffithFinance Director

Amy HawkExecutive Assistant to Easement Program

Heather HilsonExecutive Assistant to Forestry Program

Jim HilsonSenior Planner

Andrew HubbardWatershed Forester

Susan KennyContract and Grants Specialist

Pauline KlimowskiInformation Technology Assistant

Gary LamontLand Conservation Specialist

Brian LaTouretteAgricultural Program Manager

Tom McFarlandEngineering Specialist

Lilly MathisenContracts & Grants Specialist (retired)

Cheryl MarionAdministration Services Director

Collin MillerForestry Program Specialist

Rebecca O’DellExecutive Assistant

Amy OlneyEasement Program Manager

Jean ParenteauLand Conservation Specialist

Matt PaulHudson Highlands Forester

Tom PavlesichWatershed Forester

Elaine PoulinAssistant Agricultural Program Manager

Karen RauterCommunications Director

Linda ReedStaff Accountant II

Glenn ReDavidEngineering Specialist

Mike SaviolaEast of Hudson Program Manager

Eric VanBenschotenEngineering Specialist

PartnersThe Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) is a501(c) 3 non-profit organization funded by NewYork City Department of Protection with fundingfrom the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and the U.S.D.A.Natural Resources Conservation Service. WAC isan equal opportunity provider, and works throughpartnerships to accomplish its mission to ensure an economically viable working landscape that pro-tects water quality. Many thanks to our partners:

Agroforestry Resource Center American Farmland TrustCatskill Center for Conservation and DevelopmentCatskill Forest Association

Catskill Mountain FoundationCatskill Watershed CorporationCornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware,

Sullivan, Greene, and Schoharie CountiesDelaware County Department of Watershed AffairsEarthpledge FoundationEmpire State Forest Products AssociationEnvironmental Protection AgencyFarm Catskills!Frost Valley YMCANew York Forest Owners AssociationNew York Logger Training, Inc. New York State Department of Agriculture and

MarketsNew York City Department of Environmental

ProtectionNew York State Department of Environmental

ConservationNew York State Department of HealthSoil and Water Conservation Districts of Delaware,

Sullivan, Greene, Ulster, Schoharie, Dutchess,Putnam and Westchester Counties

SUNY College of Environmental Science andForestry

The Nature ConservancyUSDA

Agricultural Research ServiceFarm Service AgencyForest ServiceNatural Resources Conservation Service

US Army Corps of EngineersUS Environmental Protection AgencyUS Geological SurveyW.K. Kellogg Foundation

2005 Donors to WAC’s ConservationEasement Stewardship FundTara and John CollinsDonald EcklundMarc NevesNew York City Department of Environmental

ProtectionChris and Amy OlneyKaren RauterMark and Lisa Schwartz

Our Thanks to 2005 Silent Auction DonorsAndes HotelAnonymousBeaver Mountain Log HomesBetty Acres Organic FarmBrooks House of BBQBibliobarnBen Mack WoodworkingBounding WarriorCannonsville LumberDave CammerCatskill Center for Conservation & DevelopmentCatskill Craftsmen, Inc. Catskill Forest AssociationCatskill Mountain FoundationCatskill StudioChris Lehrecke FurnitureCommunity Products LLCEklund Farm MachineryElk Creek HerbalsFabulous FurnitureFirst Pioneer Farm CreditSteve FlemingFlying Rabbit FarmFrancis Wood Law OfficeFrost Valley YMCAGreentree Furniture

HiderbooksHofer Log and LumberHunt Country FurnitureTom HutsonJohn HOUSHMANDJudd Weisberg DesignsPeter KamensteinCheryl MarionMountain Cherry, LLCTheresa O’BrienChris OlneyJean ParenteauTom Pavlesich Promised Land FarmKaren RauterLinda ReedRettew EngineeringMike SaviolaSculptural FurnitureSociety of American ForestersStamford GreenhousesSUNY Delhi College Golf CourseSweetwater GlassTWIGZ Natural FurnitureWAC Directors Howard WernerWilkens Fruit & Fir Farm

Our Thanks to 2005 Silent Auction Supporters Dave CammerWayne CohenEd BlouinChalley ComerSloane CrawfordEric DahlbergDave DolanBill EklundSally FairbairnRené GermainColleen GriffithBarb and Ernie HanselmanFred HathawayPeg HilsonAndrew HubbardMarilyn HunekeMatt HoferLucci KellyCharlie LaingGary LamontBrian LaTouretteChandra Lencina Terry LeonardJack McShaneDavid MannCheryl MarionKatie MurphyTom O’BrienJessica OlenychAmy OlneyDan PalmElaine PoulinDave PostDonna SchneierKaren Rauter Art ReedTim RendoMike SaviolaFran SchielJohn SchwartzIra SternJudd WeisbergBarbara Wilkens

We apologize for any errors in the lists above and encourage you to contact us with corrections by calling 607-865-7790 x100 or emailing us: [email protected].

PRSRTU.S. Postage

PAIDDelhi, NY 13753

Permit #7

Watershed Agricultural Council33195 State Highway 10

Walton, New York 13856-9751

Documents

Watershed Agricultural Council Annual Report 2005