Press
Farmland partners come together in support of community preservation extension and inclusion of water quality
October 13, 2016
John v.H. Halsey, President of the Peconic Land Trust, and Karen Rivara, President of the Long Island Farm Bureau,
OCTOBER 13, 2016.
RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK.
John v.H. Halsey, President of the Peconic Land Trust, and Karen Rivara, President of the Long Island Farm Bureau, joined with agricultural partners from across the East End in support of the Peconic Bay Region Community Preservation Fund (CPF) extension to 2050 and inclusion of up to 20% for water quality programs.
The partners joined together to urge voters to VOTE YES this November 8, 2016, for Proposition 1 and to remind voters to turn the ballot over as this year all ballot measures will be listed on the back of the ballot.
2016 Community Preservation Fund Extension
To date, the Community Preservation Fund has raised over $1 billion for preservation programs that are protecting our agricultural and natural lands. Over 10,000 acres have been preserved through funds from the CPF across all five East End Towns: Riverhead, Southampton, Southold, East Hampton and Shelter Island – about 6,000 acres of farmland. The current referendum will extend the fund to 2050 and includes a provision to allow up to 20% of the funding to pay for water quality enhancement and protection projects, including projects that could be applied toward Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) programs for farmers.
“The CPF program has been groundbreaking on a national level. Thousands of critical acres of farmland and open space have been preserved, insuring that we maintain both the traditional economic engine and ecological integrity of our area. Preserving our prime agriculture soils has become even more critical in the face of climate change that has made for a much dryer growing season for many other food producing regions. It is a way for us to transition farms to the next generation, which not only preserves the farmland, but also the most key component of a farm ‐‐ the farmer. It has helped farm land be affordable for farmers and it is important it remains so into the future. Otherwise, our valuable farmland will become useless for food production in a future with many more mouths to feed,” said Karen Rivara, President, Long Island Farm Bureau.
“By extending the Community Preservation Fund to 2050, we can help ensure a future with Long Island Grown products including local food, pristine woodlands, fresh drinking water, beautiful beaches, miles of coastlines and walking trails, natural habitats that protect endangered species, and historic resources. We welcome the inclusion of 2016 Community Preservation Fund Extension water quality initiatives, including those that enhance the ability of our local farmers to be the best possible stewards of our land and water resources. In short, the extension of the CPF benefits our local economy and families for generations to come,” said John v.H. Halsey, President, Peconic Land Trust
Peconic Land Trust and Long Island Farm Bureau are part of a coalition of over 80 organizations – Clean Water and Community Preservation Committee – that are supporting the CPF extension on November 8, 2016.
About the Peconic Land Trust
Established in 1983 to conserve Long Islandʹs working farms, natural lands, and heritage, the Peconic Land Trust, a nonprofit, tax‐exempt conservation organization, has worked conscientiously with landowners, communities, municipalities, partner organizations, and donors, to conserve over 12,000 acres of land on Long Island. The Trustʹs professional staff carries out the necessary research and planning to identify and implement alternatives to outright development. While working to conserve the productive farms, watersheds, woodlands, shorelines, and historic resources of Long Island, the Trust is also protecting the unique rural heritage and natural resources of the region. The Trust depends primarily upon private donations to support its conservation work. A common misperception, however, is that the Peconic Land Trust collects and distributes the monies raised through the Peconic Bay Region Community Preservation Fund (the CPF is also referred to as the 2% land transfer tax or the Peconic Land Tax). This is NOT the case. The CPF is a public program managed by each of the five East End Towns for the protection of farmland, open space, and community character. For more information about the Peconic Land Trust visit www.peconiclandtrust.org or call 631.283.3195.
About the Long Island Farm Bureau
Our mission is to fairly and aggressively represent and serve the best interests of our members through united action, using the strength of a grassroots organizational structure and relying on effective leadership to provide strong, networked and allied Farm Bureau organizations at the local, state and national organization levels. Our collective goal: to protect and strengthen the agricultural industry. Farm Bureau is a non‐governmental, volunteer organization financed and controlled by member families for the purpose of solving economic and public policy issues challenging the agricultural industry. Farm Bureau‘s “grassroots” policy development process continues to ensure that the organization represents the majority position of its membership. Policy development begins at the county level with problem identification and culminates at our Annual Meeting with resolutions addressing the issues. Our success in implementing policies depends upon our active, well‐informed membership guided by the efforts of many dedicated volunteer leaders. Farm Bureau is the voice of Long Island agriculture