Press Release
June 22, 2012
Dan Keefe
518-486-1868
Organic Farming Comes to Mills-Norrie State Park
Project would educate public about healthy foods, agriculture and history of Hudson Valley farming
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has reached an agreement to develop an organic farming project at Mills-Norrie State Park in Dutchess County. The Farm at The Locusts-on-the-Hudson will produce organic crops on 10 acres of the park, restore a historic barn and offer educational programming on agriculture and gardening.
"The partnership with The Farm at The Locusts-on-the-Hudson is a great opportunity to enhance Mills-Norrie State Park and the community," said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey "The Farm's produce and education programs will draw new visitors to the park, highlight the benefits of healthy, sustainable food sources, while leveraging private-sector investment to restore the park's historic Huntington Barn."
"We are excited to be a partner in this inspiring initiative to align Hudson Valley farming with public education and recreation. A century ago, the farm at The Locusts occupied a central role in the local community, and we hope that now it can do so again," said André Balazs, owner of the farm.
"This initiative combines the visionary public policy capabilities of Commissioner Harvey and the entrepreneurial talent of André Balazs for the public good," Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan said. "This public-private partnership, a hallmark of the Cuomo Administration, taps into the public's strong and growing interest in parks and local, healthy produce. Bravo to our state parks team and Mr. Balazs for combining these elements in such an innovative way. This will be a great education experience for the public and another way for the valley's stellar natural beauty, history and farming to make the valley an ever-greater place to live, work and have fun."
Under the agreement, The Farm at The Locusts-on-the-Hudson will invest an estimated $142,000 to restore the 1,600-square-foot late 19th century barn and drill a well to provide irrigation water. The project will provide a functioning barn for the farm operation as well as a community space with exhibits focusing on the agricultural history of the area and displaying antique farm tools and machines.
Park visitors will be able to purchase produce at locally competitive prices at the Farm's greenmarket. In addition, The Farm will offer educational programming to schools and free classes to the public on such topics as soil health and fertility, steps to starting a backyard edible garden, crop rotation and season extension. In addition, a portion of the produce from the farm will be incorporated into the menu of the Taconic Outdoor Education Center in Fahnestock State Park. Crop production is expected to be limited this year as the farming operation gets established.
With three miles of shoreline along the Hudson River, Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park adjoins Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills Memorial State Park and together comprise more than 1,100 acres. Mills Memorial State Park is the home of Staatsburgh State Historic Site, an elegant 1895 Beaux Arts estate, and the Dinsmore Golf Course. A campground and marina are located within Norrie State Park.For more information on New York State Parks, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com.