2019 Annual Report

Vision, mission and strategic direction has been, and remains, critical to the core of the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC). These values have paved our way to become an internationally recognized leader in the field of environmental conservation and watershed management.

Having a well thought out strategic plan, goals and objectives doesn’t necessarily take into consideration how that direction will be accomplished, and/or the organization’s capacity to carry out that path to success. Often times the focus is on the finish line and not on how an organization got there. Earlier this year, while attending a National Academy of Sciences discussion, I was asked the question, “What has been the key to success for the Watershed Agricultural Council?” My answer was simple, “Excellent staff and key partnerships.”

Central to the success of the WAC has been the quality staff and organizational partnerships that provide unparalleled expertise. We employ 60 staff and contract out an additional 20 through funding with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP), and the United States Forest Service. These staff include: engineers, technicians, planners, foresters, real estate and land conservation specialists, finance, human resources, educators, economic development, communications and I.T. professionals. We have partnerships, sub-contracts and work side-by-side with the NYS College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware and Greene Counties, Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resource Conservation Services and the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.

That collective mix of expertise has been developed for the better part of two decades and has accomplished more milestones and innovative practices than what could have been imag-ined by those creating our first mission statement. To that end, two significant milestones were achieved in 2019 when an agricultural conservation easement was purchased bringing 30,000 acres to the program since inception, and the largest contract in the organization’s history with the NYC DEP totaling $92 million dollars commenced.

It is important to recognize and give credit to truly the most important resource an organization can have, staff. I want to thank all the WAC staff and partnership staff for their expertise, innovation and dedication to our collective missions. —Craig Cashman, Executive Director

Read the 2019 Annual Report here.

The Watershed Agricultural Council would like to thank you for supporting us on Giving Tuesday. With 30,000+ acres conserved, your support is critical. Donations help support our mission of promoting the economic viability of agriculture and forestry, the protection of water quality, and the conservation of working landscapes through strong local leadership and sustainable public-private partnerships. It is because of our participants, partners and donors like you, that we are able to continue to protect the farm and forest land in the NYC Watershed for generations to come.

If you were unable to donate yesterday, donations still are being accepted at: nycwatershed.org/donate

Check out the latest news from the Watershed Agricultural Council here. View the Pure Catskills Holiday Gift Guide, read about our 2019 Ag Tour, learn more about our Aerial Cover Crop program, a recent conservation easement on Dar-View Farm, a visit from farmers from Welsh Water, and a sustainability workshop hosted by Transition Catskills. Read these stories and more here.

On October 4-9, 2019, the Watershed Agricultural Program expanded the aerial cover crops initiative that seeded into 713 acres of standing corn last year and seeded over 1,200 acres this year. There were 18 Watershed farms seeded, and three additional farms outside of the Watershed were seeded with funding from the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District. JBI Helicopter Services once again expertly planted the rye seed via helicopter and gps systems. The cost of the cover crop seeding was $80/acre, and dropped into standing corn. The ideal harvest time of the corn is within two weeks after cover crops are planted. The crops will grow over the winter to protect soil erosion and increase soil health. 

In total, Watershed farms planted a total of 1,700+ acres (500 traditional planting) of cover crops in 2019. See our cover crop video here.

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On October 17, 2019 the Watershed Agricultural Program had its annual Ag Tour. Three West of Hudson Watershed Farms all with recent construction completed were toured. The farms toured were:

• Holley-Hill Farm, Walton, NY (Dairy)
• Posthaven Farm, Hobart, NY (Dairy)
• Gladstone Farms, Andes, NY (Beef)

Recent implementation included a covered feeding area at Holley-Hill Farm, a covered barnyard and manure storage at Posthaven Farm (made possible by a RCPP Grant through NRCS), and covered feeding areas at Gladstone Farms. Lunch was catered by The Farmers Wife at Gladstone Farms. Over 100 attendees went on the tour this year.

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October 14-18, WAC hosted a small group of farmers from Welsh Water/Brecon Beacons. Welsh Water is looking to implement Watershed (Catchment) management that parallels the work being done by WAC. The group consisted of Nigel Elgar (DCMU Welsh Water), Keri Davies and Richard Roderick. On Tuesday October 15, the group visited our East of Hudson Agricultural Program in Yorktown Heights. On Wednesday October 16, they traveled up to the West of Hudson region and visited two farms: Evans and Evans Farm and Andes Mountain Farm, both in Andes, NY. On Thursday October 17, the group joined the Watershed Agricultural Programs 2019 Ag Tour, visiting three Watershed Farms. Holley-Hill Farm (Dairy), Posthaven Farm (Dairy) and Gladstone Farms (Beef) were all toured with 100+ attendees. Friday October 18, was their final day in the NYC Watershed. The group started the day by presenting to the WAP staff in Walton on their farms and conservation backgrounds, and concluded with a Precision Feed Management and Nutrient Management discussion at Byebrook Farm, in Bloomville, NY.

We were happy to host our Welsh friends and look forward to working with them in the future!

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The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) is proud to announce, through continued funding from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP), that it has expanded its community partnership program to include 30,000+ acres of working farm and forest conservation easements.

“We congratulate the Watershed Agricultural Council, City of New York, farm families and many others that have made it possible for 30,000 acres to be protected forever” said David Haight, New York State Director for American Farmland Trust. “This is an important milestone for the millions of New Yorkers that have clean water and the communities where these farms have been protected. This nationally significant model has proven that well-managed landscapes can act as a natural water filter while sustaining rural communities. And, there is growing evidence that these working lands are critical assets in our society’s fight against climate change. We are heartened to see so much that has been accomplished – it is critically important that these efforts continue well into the future.”

Conservation Easements with WAC are unique as the landowner retains ownership of their property; committing their lands to continued commercial agriculture and forestry practices and selling the majority of alternative development rights to be able to reinvest those monies in their business. WAC’s program is meant protect the water quality of the New York City Watersheds, and to protect agricultural and forestry lands by limiting the form, location, and density of development and promoting good stewardship by the implementation of Whole Farm Plans.

“The City has an obligation to provide quality drinking water for its 9+ million residents NYC. Those of us working Watershed lands need to remember that, but also that local conservation and land protection efforts helps support our livelihood and preserves a way of life. It’s [farming] in my blood and what I think best defines this area. WAC easements are a win-win for the City and our community; a way to safeguard water and guarantee our [local] lands and legacy” said Council member and dairy farmer Tom Hutson of Hamden, NY.

WAC would like to thank the 200+ farm and forest families who have committed to conservation to achieve this milestone.

Check out the September news from the Watershed Agricultural Council. Click here.