New Model for Local Farms and Local Food Hudson River Valley Greenway

Greenway funding helped create the Rockland Farm Alliance (RFA), a unique organization dedicated to advancing models for sustainable small-scale local agriculture. Subsequent fund- ing enabled the RFA to establish a community farm on 5 acres Innovative, Efficient, Flexible of municipal land in Rockland County. The new farm will pro- vide fresh, organic produce through a Community Supported Agriculture program. The RFA will also grow specialty produce to supply local schools, and will host various educational pro- The Hudson River Valley Greenway is the innovation leader grams and workshops. The farm is designed to achieve finan- among state agencies. In 1991 Greenway provided $50,000 for a cial self sufficiency and provide a portable model for other feasibility study resulting in the Walkway Over the Hudson, which communities. The farm represents the first launch of a tangi- has hosted 1 million visitors since opening in 2009. In 1994 ble project based on Glynwood Center’s Keep Farming© pro- Greenway was asked by a non-profit to develop a water trail on gram. the Hudson River; in 2010 the 93rd water trail site was desig- nated. Other government agencies in NYS have sought Green- Hudson River Greenway Watertrail way assistance, and as a result, 860 miles of new water trails Maximizing General Fund Contribution: have been developed and 1,000 miles of water trails are Combined State Operations funding: directly connected to the Hud- $387,000 son River. “Our model for small-scale sus- Grant, Federal and Private Funding: tainable farms for suburban areas The Greenway’s flexibility $2,214,612 has been recognized as cutting allows the program to re- edge by state organizations and This represents over a 5:1 ratio of outside spond to and support innova- elected officials, thanks in large funding to state operations funding. part to the support we have re- tion in a way few other state ceived from the Hudson River programs can. Greenway Trail Ribbon Cutting Valley Greenway.” John McDowell, President, Rockland Farm Alliance The Greenway’s modest NYS appropriation provides critical funding to support the staff needed to build public-private part- nerships, and to secure federal and other grant funding used for many of our projects and programs. Small Grants: State funding though the Greenway Council’s $136,000 Aid to Localities appropriation resulted in 17 matching grant awards to member communities for projects that reinforce smart growth principles. These projects are providing innova- Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley Greenway Hon. Stephen M. Saland Staff tive models for economic development, regional planning and Walkway over the Hudson Hudson River Valley Communities Council Rene VanSchaack (Greene County) environmental protection. Greenway grants help communities Charles E. Wille Mark A. Castiglione, Acting Director Sara Griffen, Acting Chair Barnabas McHenry, Chairman Christina Bach, Financial Manager work together to plan regionally for a more sustainable future. Joint Board Members Beth Campochiaro, Trails Coordina- This past year, local partner match exceeded $225,000. Kristin C. Brown Edward Ames tor Kevin M. Burke Adrian Benepe Commissioner, NYS OPRHP John Dennehey, Senior Planner Jane Daniels Kathleen Bucholsky (Columbia Commissioner, NYS DOT Scott Keller, Trails and Special Pro- Tourism Development and Education: With federal dollars the Kenneth S. Herman, Treasurer County) Commissioner, NYS OGS jects Director Greenway provided 24 grants to local communities and not-for- Elizabeth B. Jacks Christine Chesley (Rensselaer Commissioner, NYS DEC Chris Marchitello, Administrative Donald T. LaValley County) Commissioner, NYS Dept. of Ag & Assistant, NYC profits for heritage tourism and interpretation projects this year. Donald P. Marra Andrew T. Chmar (Putnam County) Markets Jan Patane, Administrative Assistant William Mazzuca Mary L. Crabb (Orange County) NYS Secretary of State Coordinating Regional Tourism Events: With federal dollars, Dr. Dennis J. Murray, Secretary Anthony D’Ambrosi Chair, ESDC Contact corporate sponsorships and contributions from our partners, the Jason Nastke Kenneth Davenport (Ulster County) John Rousakis Robert W. Elliott (Westchester Advisory Board Hudson River Valley Greenway Greenway organizes the Hudson River Valley Ramble, the Great Hon. Robert Sweeney, Ex-Officio County) Capitol Building, Room 254 Hudson River Paddle and sponsors the Great Hudson Valley Hudson Valley Rail Trail Extension Hon. Antoine M. Thompson, Ex- Michael Finnegan Roger Akeley Albany, NY 12203 Officio Hon. Sandra R. Galef Frank Bergman Pedal. These efforts support the $4.7 billion dollar tourism econ- Richard Wager Clara Lou Gould (Dutchess County) T. Jefferson Cunningham III Phone: (518) 473-3835 omy in the Hudson River Valley. David R. Wise Martus Granirer Connie Fishman Fax: (518) 473-4518 Sean Mathews (Rockland County) Steven V. Lant [email protected] Hon. Marcus Molinaro Steve Rosenberg Hudson River Valley Greenway December 2010 Freeman (Ted) Putney (Albany www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us County) National Heritage Area A National Heritage Area Growing our Economy A Model for Intermunicpal Cooperation

The 11th Annual Hudson River Valley Ramble featured nearly In 2005, the Greenway awarded $15,000 to Ramblers enjoy the view atop Blackhead Mt. 200 events over three weekends in September, from Saratoga and Washington Counties and the Capital Region to New York the Town of Red Hook for an intermunicipal City. Participants enjoyed guided walking, hiking, kayaking and growth and preservation project. Partners in- bicycling opportunities, estuary explorations and historic site tours cluded Town of Red Hook, Village of Red that highlighted significant historical, cultural and natural re- Hook, Village of Tivoli, Dutchess County and sources found throughout the Hudson River Valley. This year, the Red Hook Central School District. tens of thousands of participants Rambled through the Hudson As a result, the partner communities devel- Valley! The event brings together nearly 200 partner organiza- oped the first intermunicipal proposal in tions that work to make the Ramble a success each year. The Dutchess County for targeting growth around Ramble began as an effort to encourage use of the Greenway existing centers in order to preserve green- trail system, and has grown into a highly anticipated month-long spaces in the town from development. The celebration of the best the region has to offer, attracting thou- resulting proposal was The Centers and sands of heritage and eco-tourists. The Ramble generated mil- Greenspaces Plan. lions in economic impact this year! Greenway Compact: In partnership with the Promoting and celebrating our natural and cultural resources con- county, the Greenway also provided the tributes to a sustainable regional economy. Heritage tourists have framework within which this project could been shown to stay longer and spend more. This year, the thrive: the Greenway Compact. By supporting Greenway launched the Hudson River Valley National Heritage this project, we were able to help these com- Area Heritage Site Guidebook to help attract more heritage munities advance our regional planning goals tourists to the Hudson River Valley. by providing critical seed money and contin- These are just two of our efforts that connect people with the ued support at project milestones to help keep Hudson Valley’s natural and cultural resources. By helping to it moving. In addition to the initial grant award, connect visitors with these resources, the National Heritage the Greenway provided funding for a fiscal im- Area helps grow the $4.7 billion dollar tourism economy in pact analysis and an infrastructure feasibility the Hudson River Valley. study. These Greenway grants positioned Red Hook to be able to secure $3.6 million dollars in infrastructure funding from the state and federal government. As a result, these regional partners are now poised to realize their vision of building a walkable and sustain- able community.

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site