GOSHEN – The 58-acre Wagon Wheel Farm in the Town of Goshen is permanently protected from non-agricultural development thanks to an effort by Scenic Hudson and the Orange County Land Trust.
The family farm off Sarah Wells Trail specializes in produce and hay.
Co-owner Jason Touw, who had been leasing portions of the farmland since 2001 from Joan Kozareski, continued expanding operations along with his wife and farm co-owner Kristin Touw.
When Kozareski passed away, the farmland was marketed for its subdivisional value but in 2020, the beneficiaries of Kozareski’s estate decided to sell it to the Touws, enabling them to continue operating their farming business.
To fund the purchase of the conservation easement, Scenic Hudson secured a grant from the USDA. Scenic Hudson provided 50 percent of the matching funds required by the grant.
The Orange County Land Trust will hold the easement in perpetuity.
“Conserving farms like Wagon Wheel has become even more critical as the valley faces mounting development pressures,” said Seth McKee, executive director of the Scenic Hudson Land Trust and Land Programs.
“What makes the protection of Wagon Wheel Farm especially meaningful is the fact that saving the farm had a rallying point for the community,” said Orange County Land Trust Executive Director Jim Delaune. “Their collective voice and perseverance of the Touw family ultimately took development off the table.”
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