HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE EASEMENT TEAM!

Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday season, while also expressing gratitude for our collective commitment to land conservation in the western Catskills. Our team looks forward to seeing our easement landowners again, in 2026. We are also eager to hear from those of you interested in learning more about protecting our farms & forests!  —WAC Easement Program Staff



• Mike Morales, Stewardship Coordinator
• Julian Motola, Stewardship Specialist
• Kayla Atanasoff, Executive Assistant
• Rebecca Morgan, Land Protection Coordinator
• Matt Schaefer, Stewardship Specialist
• Troy Bookhout, Conservation Planner
• Serena Orleski, Program Manager
• Dennis Heinz, Land Conservation Systems Specialist

For more information visit our website or email easementprogram@nycwatershed.org.

THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY

On December 10th Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY hosted an event with ~100 people in attendance. "The Future of Our Fields: Economics, Land Use and Collaboration in Agriculture" consisted of four panel discussions covering the topics of "Assessments, Agriculture, and Local Value", "Land, Access and the Needs for Success", "Open Lands Connectivity and Equine Uses", and "Future Farming". Donald Arrant, WAC East of Hudson Conservation Planner was on the Open Lands panel and discussed WAC's role in the region. In total there were around 20 speakers and panelists for the day. We want to thank the North Salem Open Land Foundation and Westchester County for a great day of discussion on agriculture in the region!

CATSKILL REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE

January 9th, 9:30 AM - 2:40 PM

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, in partnership with the Watershed Agricultural Council, will be hosting the 23rd Annual Catskill Regional Agriculture Conference on Thursday, January 9, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM in Farrell Hall at the SUNY Delhi campus. Come and join farmers from around the region for this premier agricultural event. Our top-notch speakers will be presenting timely information about Dairy, Livestock, Vegetable, and Flower Production as well as Grazing Management with a focus on effective practices for farmers in the Catskill Region.

Registration will begin at 9:30 am with Early Bird sessions at 10:00 am. Dairy, Livestock, Grazing, Vegetable and Flower Production tracts start at 11:00, 1:40 and 2:40. At noon attendees will enjoy a delicious

local food lunch while learning about Local Food Systems.

Register here or with Kim Holden, 607 510-7126, kmh19@cornell.edu

SUCCESSION PLANNING, FARM TRANSITION AND HOW WAC CAN HELP

"Research from American Farmland Trust suggests that about 30 percent of the country’s agricultural land—more than 300 million acres—will change hands in the next two decades as aging farmers retire...How that land transfers, and to whom it transfers, matters.

This acreage could shift to young, aspiring farmers in the next generation. That’s the logical next step for an agricultural property. The current owners step away; they pass their land down to an heir interested in farming or sell it to a non-family member looking to get started; the land remains in agriculture and the new farmers thrive, producing food and fiber into the future.That process sounds simple, but it usually isn’t. For a variety of reasons, transitioning a farm from one generation to the next is complex." — Dan Skeeters, "We Need a Plan", Colorado Cattleman's Agricultural Land Trust

Read the article by Dan, and learn more about how WAC can help farms in the NYC Watershed approach the idea of transition, with our Farms and Forests in Transition Grants. If you have questions about how we can help your family in this process, email evprogram@nycwatershed.org or call Kristan Morley at 607-865-7090.

WATERSHED FORESTER

The Watershed Agricultural Council is seeking a Watershed Forester. The Watershed Forester ensures the protection and enhancement of water quality and the economic viability of the working forest landscape in the New York City water supply system by overseeing programs that provide technical assistance, financial incentives, and educational support for loggers, landowners, and foresters.To review qualifications and requirements, and to apply for this position, click here.

Salary: $60,000-$73,000. EOE. Review of applications will begin February 27th, 2026.

SEASONAL WATERSHED FORESTRY EDUCATOR

The Watershed Agricultural Council is seeking a Seasonal Watershed Forestry Educator intern for summer 2026. The intern will assist with watershed forestry teacher trainings and landowner outreach in the Croton region of the NYC Watershed. The position will be based at our East of Hudson office in Patterson, NY, in Putnam County. To review qualifications and requirements, and to apply for this position, click here.

Salary: $19.47/hour, 35 hours/week plus mileage reimbursement for travel beyond regular commute distance.