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AGRICULTURAL STEWARDSHIP ASSN INC
GREENWICH, NY · EIN 223084628 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE C34Z · Environment · Medium ($1M-$10M) · agstewardship.org
revenue
$3.5M
expenses
$3.0M
net assets
$4.0M
employees
14
volunteers
137
program ratio
85%
mission · from form 990

ASA IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING FARMING FOR THE FUTURE THROUGH LAND PROTECTION, STEWARDSHIP, AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY, AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY'S WORKING FARMS AND FORESTS, CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE LAND, AND PROMOTE A VIBRANT FUTURE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY IN THE REGION. THE ORGANIZATION'S SERVICE AREA COVERS NEW YORK'S RENSSELAER AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES, WITH AROUND 1,300 FARMS CONTRIBUTING APPROXIMATELY 200 MILLION IN PRODUCT SALES ANNUALLY TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) is a land conservancy focused on protecting working farms and forests in New York's Rensselaer and Washington counties. The organization permanently conserves farmland through conservation easements, supports farmers through land access and transition programs, and connects communities to the land via education and outreach. Since 1990, ASA has protected over 33,700 acres across 182 properties.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $158K
    EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT CONSERVATION TOOLS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL FARMS AND THE NEED TO PROTECT FARMLAND AND FORESTLAND IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS OUTREACH SESSIONS AND REGULARLY TALKS WITH SERVICE AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS, SCHOOLS, MUNICIPALITIES AND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND CONSERVATION AND WAYS TO KEEP FARMERS ON THE LAND. MANY PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING LANDS AND BENEFITS THEY PROVIDE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONTINUED TO DEVELOP NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN URBAN AREAS OF THE CAPITAL DISTRICT. RECOGNIZING THAT PROTECTING FARMLAND AND FOSTERING FARMING GOES HAND IN HAND, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH OTHERS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO FARMERS. THIS INCLUDED TRAINING FOR FARMERS, FARM MATCH SERVICES, PEER TO PEER MENTORING AND CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND PROTECTION PLANS.
  2. #2 $124K
    EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP AND MANAGEMENT - THE ORGANIZATION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED STEWARDSHIP VISITS TO ALL 172 EXISTING EASEMENTS IN ORDER TO FULFILL ITS ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY TO UPHOLD THE TERMS OF ITS EASEMENTS AND PROTECT THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF THE CONSERVED LAND. THE ORGANIZATION HAS UNDERTAKEN A SERIES OF INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE ITS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, INCLUDING PURCHASING COLLECTIVE EASEMENT DEFENSE INSURANCE (TERRAFIRMA RRG) TO PROTECT ITS ORGANIZATIONAL ASSETS IN CASE OF LITIGATION, HIRING ADDITIONAL STEWARDSHIP STAFF FOR ADDED CAPACITY, AND INCORPORATING MORE TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVED EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS WITH STEWARDSHIP TASKS. THE ORGANIZATION RESPONDED TO MANY LANDOWNER QUESTIONS AND PERMISSION REQUESTS REGARDING THEIR EASEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO COMMUNICATE WITH LANDOWNERS OF EASEMENT PROTECTED LAND AND ACTIVELY MEETS WITH NEW OWNERS TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP AND DISCUSS THE EASEMENTS. AS PART OF ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OWNERS OF CONSERVED LANDS, IT SPONSORED SEVERAL LANDOWNER WORKSHOPS THIS YEAR ON TOPICS SUCH AS SOIL HEALTH, REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE, AND CHAIN SAW SAFETY. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION IN 2013, RECEIVED ACCREDITATION RENEWAL IN 2019 AND 2024. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ITS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM BY PARTICIPATING IN MEETINGS WITH LAND TRUSTS IN THE REGION AND ATTENDS TRAINING SESSIONS ON STEWARDSHIP AND EASEMENT MANAGEMENT ISSUES.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Cambridge Community Forest
140-acre demonstration forest managed for sustainable forestry, public recreation, and environmental education
Community Engagement and Education
Offers workshops, hikes, farm visits, and the "Landscapes for Landsake" art show to connect the public with working lands and conservation efforts
Conservation Easement Program
Permanently protects working farms and forests by holding conservation easements that prevent development while allowing continued agricultural use
Farm Link Program
Connects beginning farmers with available farmland through the Hudson Valley Farmlink Network and Farmland for a New Generation New York, including farm matching, tours, and transition support
Landowner Stewardship Program
Conducts annual monitoring visits, provides landowner workshops on topics like soil health and chainsaw safety, and maintains long-term relationships with easement landowners
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 2 activities
    • Conserving farmland and forests through conservation easements
      Protects farmland and working forests by securing conservation easements, including donations of development rights, with long-term legal enforcement. Has conserved over 33,700 acres across 182 properties in Washington and Rensselaer counties since 1990, including specific properties like Hayfields Farm (529 acres) and Sky Parlor Farm.
    • Monitoring and enforcing conservation easements
      Conducts annual monitoring of all conserved properties to ensure compliance with easement terms and secures $15,650 per new easement into a restricted fund for long-term stewardship, defense, and enforcement. In 2023, completed stewardship visits to all 172 existing conservation easements.
  • Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
    • Hosting educational and public outreach events
      Organizes 15–18 interactive programs annually—including nature hikes, gleaning, workshops, youth photography, and virtual farm tours—to connect the public with conserved lands. Also conducts outreach sessions for schools, municipalities, and landowners on conservation and farming topics.
  • Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
    • Hosting fundraising events for conservation
      Hosts the annual Landscapes for Landsake Art Sale and Exhibition, attracting over 2,000 attendees, and an annual locally-sourced dinner event featuring guest speakers and a live auction, both to support conservation work.
  • Agricultural Training and Education Programs 1 activity
    • Providing farmer training and professional development
      Offers training programs for young and novice farmers covering business planning, wholesale marketing, peer-to-peer mentoring, and regenerative agriculture. Also sponsors workshops on soil health and chainsaw safety.
  • Corporate Sponsorship Programs 1 activity
    • Supporting community events through sponsorships
      Supports approximately 25 individual events annually through business sponsorships.
  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 1 activity
    • Supporting local food access through gleaning and hunting partnerships
      Donates gleaned produce from farm programs to local food pantries and partners with hunters to donate venison to help feed individuals in the local community.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Acquiring and managing community forests
      Purchased and opened the 140-acre Cambridge Community Forest in 2019, officially opening it to the public in November 2021 for sustainable forest management, recreation, and education.
    • Connecting beginning farmers with farmland
      Provides land-linking services to match aspiring and beginning farmers with landowners for leasing or transferring farmland, including hosting farm tours and facilitating successful land matches.
    • Maintaining land trust accreditation and organizational standards
      Renewed Land Trust Accreditation in 2024, previously renewed in 2019 and originally awarded in 2013, reflecting adherence to national standards for land conservation.
    • Operating chainsaw safety training programs
      Hosts Game of Logging chainsaw safety training for participants, promoting safe and sustainable forestry practices.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.49M
Contributions & grants$3.34M96%
Program service revenue$2K0%
Investment income$88K3%
Other revenue$52K
expenses
Total expenses$2.99M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$649K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.25M
Cash$766K
Investments$3.21M
Liabilities$202K
Net assets$4.05M
Liquid reserves16.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +7.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
RENEE BOUPLON EXECUTIVE DI 40 $113K
board members · 15
  • ANNIE PAULSEN — DIRECTOR
  • CLIFFORD MEALY — DIRECTOR
  • CODY LAPAGE — DIRECTOR
  • DALE-ILA RIGGS — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID FLEMING JR — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID GREEN — CO-CHAIR
  • HUGH ROOME — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES ALLEN — CO-CHAIR
  • LAUREN WILLIAMS — SECRETARY
  • MARK ANDERSON — DIRECTOR
  • MARY ELLEN WILLIAMS — CHAIR
  • MEGAN HARRIS-PERO — DIRECTOR
  • OLIVIA FULLER — DIRECTOR
  • PATRICIA LOCKWOOD — TREASURER
  • SARAH ASHTON — DIRECTOR
relationships · 19

Who they work with

  • ASA board members Partner — Board members participate in community events by giving presentations and answering questions about land conservation.
  • ASA staff Partner — Staff members participate in community events by giving presentations and answering questions about land conservation.
  • American Farmland Trust Partner — Collaborates on the Hudson Valley Farmlink Network and Farmland for a New Generation New York program to connect farmers with land.
  • Bob Ross Funder — Philanthropist who provides a $500 immediate match to ASA for each completed Bequest Commitment Form through his Bequest Challenge.
  • Common Roots Foundation Funder — Provided a grant to support soil health workshops on regenerative farming.
  • EarthShare Partner — Partner organization for facilitating tax-deductible payroll deductions for supporters.
  • Hayfields Farm Partner — Landowner partner that conserved 529 acres through a conservation easement
  • Hudson Valley Farmlink Network Partner — Collaborates to match beginning farmers with landowners for farmland leasing or transfer.
  • Maple Ridge Partner — Host site for the in-person Landscapes for Landsake Art Sale and Exhibition.
  • New York State Government — Source of state grants used to purchase development rights from farmers
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Awarded funding through the Conservation Partnership Program to support land conservation efforts.
  • New York State Employees Federated Appeal Government — Collaborates with ASA to enable payroll deductions for state employees contributing to land conservation efforts.
  • Northeast Woodland Training Partner — Provides Game of Logging chainsaw safety training instructors for events hosted by the Agricultural Stewardship Association.
  • Northeast Woodland Training Partner — Provides instructors to deliver Game of Logging chainsaw safety training in partnership with AGRICULTURAL STEWARDSHIP ASSN INC.
  • Robert H. Wentorf Foundation Funder — Provided grant support for the Game of Logging training program.
  • Robert H. Wentorf Foundation Funder — Provides grant support for the Game of Logging chainsaw safety training program.
  • Sky Parlor Farm Partner — Landowner partner that donated a conservation easement to protect their property
  • Terrafirma RRG Partner — Purchased collective easement defense insurance from Terrafirma RRG to protect organizational assets in case of litigation.
  • USDA Government — Source of federal grants used to purchase development rights from farmers
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Conservation Easement with Long-Term Stewardship
    methodology: permanent_conservation_restriction
    By placing permanent conservation restrictions on farmland and forests, we prevent development and ensure continued agricultural use, because ongoing landowner engagement and annual monitoring uphold compliance and stewardship over time.
  • Education and Outreach to Advance Conservation Tools
    methodology: education_and_outreach
    By educating landowners and the public about conservation tools and the value of local farms, we increase adoption of protective measures, because awareness and understanding drive informed decision-making and community support.
  • Incentivized Conservation through Financial and Legacy Motivations
    methodology: incentivized-conservation-donations
    By aligning conservation with financial benefits and personal legacy, we increase landowner participation in easement donation programs, because tax incentives and estate planning tools make stewardship both practical and meaningful.
  • Integrated Land Protection and Farming Support
    methodology: integrated_land_protection_and_farming_support
    By combining land conservation with active support for farmers, we ensure long-term agricultural sustainability, because protecting land without supporting its use fails to secure a viable farming future.
  • Public Funding as a Catalyst for Farmland Viability and Transfer
    methodology: public-funding-for-farmland-preservation
    By using public grants to purchase development rights, we support farm sustainability, retirement planning, and intergenerational transfer, because securing financial value for landowners enables continued agricultural operation without subdivision or development.