Walton, NY, FEBRUARY 2, 2021– On January 26, 2021 Wayland “Bud” Gladstone was nominated and appointed as the Council Chair for the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC).

Gladstone, a fifth generation farmer from Andes, NY, owns and operates Gladstone Farms (formally Suz-Way Farm) along with his wife Suzanne and their two daughters and six grandchildren. They operated the family dairy farm until 2003, then transitioned to raising/boarding heifers for other farmers and growing/selling hay. In 2002, Suzanne purchased a few head of Belted Galloway cattle, the beginning of their beef business. To date, Gladstone Farms continues with 175 head of cattle. They currently are experimenting with cross breeding Belted Galloways with British White Park, moving into a “Speckled Breed.” Their markets are freezer trade, restaurants, and at times the feeder market.

Gladstone was chosen in 1984 as the Delaware County Conservation Farmer of the Year, and in the early 1990’s their farm was chosen as one of the original ten watershed pilot farms for the emerging Watershed Agricultural Program in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Through the Whole Farm Planning process and with funding provided by the DEP through the WAC, the Gladstone’s have been able to continue farming more efficiently in the NYC Watershed, implementing many practices, improving animal health, and keeping water quality at the forefront of their operation.

When asked about his new role at the WAC, Gladstone stated, “I feel that I have excellent communication skills, a firm belief in transparency, strong fiscal management skills and the ability to work well with others, respecting the opinion of all. We are very fortunate at the Watershed Agricultural Council to have many highly qualified, skilled and dedicated staff and partnering agencies that bring expertise and staff to support our programs. I view these challenging times as an opportunity for the Watershed Agricultural Council to continue as the leader in Land Stewardship in our Agricultural communities. Successful agricultural programs and farms bring growth and strength to our local economies.”

Gladstone graduated from Andes Central School, and attended SUNY Delhi while operating the family farm with his parents. Active in the Andes community, he has been Fire Chief of the Andes Fire Department, a former member of the Margaretville Hospital Board, has served on the Andes Town Board for the past ten years, six of which as current Town Supervisor. In addition, he is a member of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors, serving on Finance Committee, Human Resources/Insurance Committee and is acting Chair of the Public Safety Committee. He also serves on the Cornell Cooperative Extension Board, Delaware Opportunities Board and is a ten-year Board Member of the WAC where he has served as Chairman of the Agricultural Committee for the past six years. He serves on the Easement Committee, Executive Committee, and Nutrient Management Sub-Committee, in addition to his recent appointment of Council Chair of WAC.

The WAC is looking forward to this new chapter for the organization. Interim Executive Director, Ryan Naatz, stated, “Bud Gladstone is a true leader. One who has the confidence to stand alone (yet chooses to stand with and for many), the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion and respect to listen to, all. Thank you, Bud, for rising to the challenge and your commitment to succeed.”

Much like our farm and forest families, the Watershed Agricultural Council’s(WAC) Easement Program faced unprecedented times in 2020. The year began on a high note with the addition of two forest easements, totaling 400+ acres. But just as spring had sprung, a usually energizing time, our world literally shut down. We were sent home to work and acquisition efforts were placed on hold. Despite the many stresses, it became abundantly clear that outdoor life, access to open space, and a steadfast local economy were more important than ever. It appeared that despite the uncertainty there could not be a more critical time for working lands conservation. With that as motivation, our team persevered. This year became an “all-hands on deck” approach to assist landowners with education and stewardship. Even with the shutdown we were as busy as usual. Staff processed ten notifications, 40 activity requests, including 16 commercial timber harvests, several new rural enterprises, three rights-of-way, and one new agricultural building. We are incredibly proud of the easement landholders who carried on despite this year’s challenges. Our soils may be tough here in the Catskills, but so are those who sow it. Here’s to a bigger, better and healthier 2021!

2020 has been challenging, unprecedented and at times unnerving, but it has also shown us the importance of knowing where your food comes from, supporting local businesses, and the strength of small communities.Buying locally,knowing the source of your food, and committing to supporting local farm and food businesses is no longer a trend—it is a lifestyle.

One of the greatest strengths of this region is the diversity of products being grown, produced and raised by our local farm and food producers. The Catskills represent the definition of what it means to ‘buy local,’and is a robust foodshed offering everything from honey, meat varieties of all kinds, vegetables, any dairy product you need (from cow to goat), maple, fruits and so much more, to farmers’ markets, farm activities, social distancing options, you name it –we have it.

Now more than ever, the work of our Economic Viability(EV)Program to promote, showcase and support our small, committed and diversified farm and forest businesses through Pure Catskills, social media and our grant programing is invaluable. We are a trusted source making direct connections between farms and businesses to consumers during a time of such uncertainty. Though our programming shifted, we were working from home, and all of our favorite events were cancelled, the EV Program was able to dedicate our workload and time to being a resource so many people still rely on, and we are proud of all that was accomplished this year.

Our Pure Catskills members, along with all of our Watershed farmers and foresters, represent the very best of this region, clean water, high-quality food, and the future of food purchasing.With the world changing so rapidly around us, our hardworking farmers and producers remain persistent, relentless, and most importantly they remain consistent. Our hope, especially after this year, is that you’ll join our buy local movement and make it a continual and integral part of your lifestyle.

Read the 2020 Annual Report here.

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This past year presented loggers, forest landowners and foresters in the NYC Watershed with unprecedented challenges. The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) Forestry Program adapted to meet these challenges with the help of our program participants. Over the past year the WAC helped 35 landowners enroll 4,426 acres in the 480a Forest Tax Law in the NYC Watershed. Through our Best Management Practices (BMP) Program, water quality BMPs were implemented on 54 timber harvests. The Management Assistance Program facilitated the implementation of 68 forest stewardship projects, effecting more than 477 acres of watershed forest. The Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers hosted 25 teachers weekly, using virtual learning techniques over the course of a month. The Bus Tours and Green Connections programs were most affected by virus mitigation efforts within NYC. With the help of participating teachers, staff switched to virtual techniques for delivering educational curriculum to classrooms, providing a source of support for teachers as they transitioned their classroom activities to remote learning. 2020 was certainly a year of challenges, but every step of the way sta and participants met those challenges with creative and engaging solutions.

Times of Transition

If we have learned anything this past year, it is the importance of community, the value of the natural world and the significance of rural economies. The Watershed Agricultural Council, like so many others, faced unprecedented challenges and unexpected transition in 2020 but met them with perseverance, commitment and compassion. Despite it all—our fields flourished, our markets soared, and our small towns opened their big hearts for visitors from near and far. Our forests were havens for those escaping the built environment, and our farms supplied upstate al fresco feasts to downstate school lunches. 

Throughout this report you will read stories of success, accomplishment and pride that were made possible by assistance from our Agricultural, Conservation Easement, Forestry and Economic Viability Programs. As the world around us paused, we carried on – our staff, farmers, loggers and partners continued to work together to protect our people, our land and our water. We also took this year as an opportunity to fortify our relationship with our main funder, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. It undoubtedly clear that we must cooperate and collaborate to achieve our shared mission of preserving water quality through sustainable working landscapes. We know that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Together we are stronger and together we will prevail.

Read the 2020 Annual Report here.

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