HVAP Holds its Second Conference on Agriculture in the Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley Agricultural Partnership (HVAP) held its second highly successful conference at Marist College in Poughkeepsie on January 13, 2005.
Almost two hundred stakeholders attended the one-day gathering that focused on three issues of great importance to agriculture in the region: farm profitability, farmland protection and agricultural economic development.
Farmers, local leaders, agricultural organizations, farmers' market managers, planners, chefs, environmental organizations, restaurateurs, not-for-profit organizations and consumers not only listened but spoke passionately about their views on these key issues.
Keynote speakers included Nathan Rudgers, New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, who updated participants on the state of agriculture and its future in the Hudson Valley.
A second keynote speaker, Tod Murphy, founder and owner of the Farmers Diner in Barre, Vermont, which serves only local foods, gave his perspective on how businesses and consumers can more actively support agriculture. |
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| Scenic Hudson's Seth McKee (on left) speaks with group leaders Greg Romano, NJ Conservation Foundation, Matt Zieper, Trust for Public Land, Joe Martens, Open Space Institute and Nancy Everhart, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board. |
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A full and highly relevant agenda offered participants nine sessions that featured not only informative presentations but also lively discussion of the issues. Topics included:
- the shifting land use patterns and changing face of farming in the Hudson Valley
- generating local funding for farmland protection
- the proposed establishment of a regional agricultural economic development organization
- continued progress in establishing a livestock processing service company for the Hudson Valley, and
- more efficient distribution of local farm products within the region
At the day's wrap-up session participants urged HVAP to continue its role in bringing stakeholders together on a regular basis -- both to help address the Hudson Valley's key agricultural issues and to improve communications within the agricultural community.
To learn more about HVAP or to sign on as an HVAP Partner in Agriculture visit their website at www.hvap.net |
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| NY State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Nathan Rudgers, one of the keynote speakers, spoke on the state of agriculture and its future in the Hudson Valley. |
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