Local dairy protects 185 acres of farmland critical to regional foodshed

PINE PLAINS — Members of the Osofsky family, the owners and operators of Ronnybrook Dairy in Ancram, have forever protected their family-​owned 185-acre Schultz Hill Farm property in Pine Plains through a purchase of development rights transaction. In doing so, they have ensured that this portion of their farm will remain open and available for farming for current and future generations. 

The Osofskys worked closely with the Dutchess Land Conservancy (DLC) and project partner Scenic Hudson on the planning, implementation and ultimate protection of the farm, with funding awarded by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (from the Environmental Protection Fund), Scenic Hudson and DLC. The protected property, known as the “Home Farm,” is where David and Helen Osofsky first started Ronnybrook Dairy in 1941, naming it for their eldest son Ronny, one of the four siblings/current owners.  

The Home Farm is an integral part of the multi-​county Ronnybrook Dairy operation and provides critical support through the pasturing of cows and heifers and the growing of corn, hay and soy. This is great news for the area as Ronnybrook Dairy is an important component of the Hudson Valley agricultural community, and as development pressure on Dutchess County farmland has barely taken a pause. 

Farms like the Home Farm are highly vulnerable to development and conversion to non-​farming use. Conservation of the farm also contributes to safeguarding the region’s and New York City’s “foodshed” — the farms that supply Hudson Valley communities and New York City with fresh, local, high-quality food.    

According to the American Farmland Trust, during the last 25 years, New York state has lost a half a million acres of farmland to subdivisions, strip malls and other scattered development — and once farms are bulldozed and paved over, those valuable soils are gone forever. 

Agriculture is big business

Agriculture is one of the largest industries in New York state, and the third largest in Dutchess County, which makes protection of these farmlands imperative for New York’s economy. 

Ronnybrook Dairy is one of the premiere dairy farm operations in the state, with an established brand of milk products that are sold throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City and the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tri-state region. The farm’s products are a fixture at Hudson Valley retail markets, and at New York City Greenmarkets and retail venues such as Chelsea Market. 

The dairy is also a significant component of the regional economic engine and employs more than 50 full-time permanent staff.  Recognizing that our farmers are essential not only to food production but to the economic vitality of rural communities where they provide jobs and support many local businesses, the state increased the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to $300 million — the highest level in the fund’s history.  

The EPF supports New York’s statewide Farmland Protection Implementation Program, now in its 20th year. It has helped protect more than 60,000 acres of farmland across the state, including 10 farmland protection projects in Dutchess County, with another five anticipated to close within the next year.

Selling property 

development rights

Selling the development rights encourages farmers to permanently protect their land for agriculture, providing important funds to reinvest in their farm operation or transition their farm to the next generation. This is key to the Osofsky family who has a multi-​generational family business and is in the process of transitioning the farm to younger family members. 

“Universally, my kids and my siblings’ kids have all come back to the farm, some with advanced degrees, but they can still farm and it’s really nice,” Rick Osofsky said.  

By selling the development rights on their property, the Osofsky family has taken steps to extend to their children and grandchildren a chance to experience what siblings Ronny, Sid, Rick and Freddi did being raised on the farm. 

“I remember growing up in a farming community and I feel that we have helped preserve that experience for those family members who didn’t have that opportunity,” said Rick Osofsky. “Now they can really benefit from seeing how the larger farming community once looked.” 

Continuing contributions

The protection of Schultz Hill Farms also has advantages for local residents beyond access to fresh and healthy foods.  Even after development rights are sold, agricultural lands stay on the tax rolls ensuring that towns can continue to provide critical services. 

Also, studies indicate that agricultural lands cost communities significantly less to provide services to than residential lands. According to the American Farmland Trust, the findings of 15 Costs of Community Services Studies in New York showed that agriculture and open space cost towns only .29 cents for every $1 paid in taxes (a net benefit), while residential space costs towns $1.27 for every $1 paid in taxes (a net loss). Both of these advantages result in a win for towns struggling to keep taxes as low as possible — something all local citizens can benefit from. 

“Ronnybrook Farm is one of the bright lights in Hudson Valley agriculture, and Scenic Hudson is thrilled to have worked with the landowners, Dutchess Land Conservancy and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to safeguard their Pine Plains farm,” said Steve Rosenberg, senior vice-​president of Scenic Hudson and executive director of The Scenic Hudson Land Trust. “The farm also symbolizes the importance of conserving Hudson Valley farms to secure the supply of fresh local food for people in the region and in New York City. It is one of the highest priorities in our Foodshed Conservation Plan, due to its high quality soils, size and proximity to other productive farms.”  

“Farmland preservation is key to the success of our farmers, the industry and the state’s economy, as well as safeguarding our food supply,” New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said. “Farms, like Ronnybrook, help ensure millions of people have access to fresh, locally-​made agricultural products, especially throughout the Hudson Valley and New York City regions. The department takes great pride in supporting these operations and I applaud Governor Cuomo for his unprecedented commitment to this effort.” 

Since 1985, DLC has protected almost 40,000 acres (or 62 square miles) of land, which equals an area twice the size of Manhattan, and includes approximately 23,000 acres of productive farmland. 

For more information, go to www.dutchessland.org. 

Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its landscape as an irreplaceable and vital resource for residents and visitors. To date, Scenic Hudson has worked with farm families and land trusts across the Hudson Valley to conserve more than 100 working farms and 14,400 acres of farmland.  Scenic Hudson also has created or enhanced more than 65 parks, preserves and historic sites up and down the Hudson River and conserved more than 35,000 acres in total.  

For more information, go to www.scenichudson.org.

Rebecca E.C. Thornton is president of Dutchess County Land Conservancy.