BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors recently announced the award recipients of the County’s 2024 Farmland and Open Space Grant Program.
According to a press release, the Board has awarded a total of $604,306 in grant funding to projects in the towns of Moreau, Northumberland, and Stillwater, preserving approximately 200 acres of open space and farmland this year. The Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Grant Program helps permanently protect agricultural and open space lands including farmland, natural areas, wildlife habitats, preserves, and other important open spaces within Saratoga County. “The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors is proud of our efforts to preserve more than 6,000 acres of open space and farmland over the past 20 years allowing the exponential expansion of our parks and recreation network,” Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett of Clifton Park said in the release.
“We have proactively invested in preserving a balance between our preservation efforts and economic development to ensure sustainable growth that nourishes both our economy and the environment.” “Preserving open space and protecting farmland while promoting smart growth in Saratoga County is a priority for the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors,” Chair of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Trails and Open Space Committee, Supervisor Joe Grasso of Charlton added. “Our Farmland and Open Space Program helps to protect our vital farmland and preserve the County’s vast open spaces that provide beauty to our landscape, recreational opportunities for our residents, and support our strong agricultural economy.
” “Saratoga PLAN is thankful to the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors for their longstanding commitment to preserving open space and protecting farmland throughout the County,” Executive Director of Saratoga PLAN Rob Davies noted. “Preserving open space requires a collective effort between communities, governments, and organizations and Saratoga County has been an essential partner in our ongoing efforts. “Saratoga PLAN looks forward to continuing and strengthening our partnership with the County on open space protection in the future.
” The 2024 award recipients are: • The town of Moreau received a grant award of $38,203 for Open Space Preservation of the Kropp-Rowson Palmertown Ridge for the preservation of approximately 81-acres of mixed forest and meadowed property. • The town of Northumberland received a grant award of $382,771 for Farmland Protection of the Butler Family Farm for the protection of approximately 75-acres of cropland. • The town of Stillwater received a grant award of $183,332 for Farmland Protection of the Tanner Ridge Farm for the protection of approximately 47.
10-acres of equestrian farmland. Saratoga County has preserved more than 6,000 acres of farmland and open space since 2003 through its Farmland Protection and Open Space Preservation grant program. For more information about the County’s Farmland and Open Space Program, visit the Saratoga County Planning and Economic Development Department page at www.
saratogacountyny.gov..
