Farms & Forests

Well-stewarded privately owned forests and farm land are an important historic and ecological element of the Adirondack Park that contributes significantly to its open space character.

Preserving the open space qualities of large tracts of private land and supporting working forests and farms. Goals include:

• Host the Essex Farm Institute as a program of the Adirondack Council.
• Provide micro-grants for farmers enhance the economic, human and environmental resiliency of Adirondack farms.
• Increase the acres of private Adirondack forest land where sustainable forestry standards or best management practices are followed.
• Conserve working forests and working farmland through support for conservation easements and other programs..
• Retain at least 5,000 acres of working farmland in the Champlain Valley and the greater Adirondack region.