The Hudson Valley has the potential to be a model agricultural region with thriving farms and a vibrant food system. Glynwood is working to realize that vision.

One of the ways in which we seek to support farming in the region is by gathering data that shows the trends, challenges, and opportunities for farmers in the region. And yet, most often, we are confronted by a scarcity of regional data.

To fill that gap, we created The State of Agriculture in the Hudson Valley, a regional summary compiled primarily with data from the USDA’s Census of Agriculture. Our first version of this report was published in 2005, and in 2010 we updated it with newer information.

The 2010 edition of the report reveals that the Hudson Valley—historically an agricultural region but one faced with intense development pressure in recent decades—is a place where farming endures. It shows the ways in which farming is changing in our region, as farmers adapt to a shifting economy, different market opportunities, and changes to natural resources. It also points to the urgent need to support farmers and save farmland in the region—and suggests ways in which this can be done. The report’s recommendations cover a range of actions that policymakers, nonprofits, businesses, farmers, and other individuals can respond to.

Download the report here. (PDF, 4 MB)

You can request a hard copy by calling Glynwood (845-265-3338) or by emailing Anita Barber.

County Snapshots

In addition to the regional summary in the full report, we are creating “snapshots” of data for each of the Hudson Valley’s 12 counties, including maps that show the location and type of agricultural parcels in each county. These documents will be available here very soon.

Comments

As The State of Agriculture in the Hudson Valley is distributed throughout the region and beyond, we intend for it to play a role in shaping a strong regional food system. To be sure of our hopes that the report provides useful information and a fresh perspective on farming in the Hudson Valley, we’d be grateful for your feedback. As we continue to develop resources for supporting farming in the region, your comments on this report will be most valuable. In particular, we would like to know:

 

Authors
Lead Author: Sara Grady, Director of Special Projects
with
Judith LaBelle, President
Christie Williams, Director of Development and Communications
Ken Kleinpeter, Director of Farm and Facilities
Dave Llewellyn, CSA Manager
Virginia Kasinki, Director of Community-Based Programs