Partnership for Manageable Growth hits 5,000 acre preservation milestone

POUGHKEEPSIE — Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino announced the preservation of the 143 acre Obercreek Farm in the Town of Wappinger, bringing the total land preserved by the county’s Partnership for Manageable Growth to over 5,000 acres.

The County’s Partnership for Manageable Growth is a program aimed at protecting agriculture and open space resources. It provides a local fund for purchases of land for preservation, covering up to 50% of the total cost. So far, the program has helped protect 5,722 acres of both farmland and open space, including awaiting projects, in Dutchess County.

Obercreek Farm marked the 29th farmland preservation that has been completed by the Partnership for Manageable Growth since 1999. However, through the program, the County has protected a total of 39 projects including both open space and farmland proposals, totaling over $42 million. Dutchess County’s Partnership for Manageable Growth program provided 25% of that funding, $481,981, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets contributed $1,442,378 and the Dutchess Land Conservancy gave $6,000.

Alongside the environmental benefits, the preservation of land through Partnership for Manageable Growth allows support of the agricultural industry’s economic viability. This allows farmers, who participate in the program, to protect their land and further benefit the community by farming for more generations to come.