Community-Led Land Stewardship

Organizes community programs such as the Black History Month event in 2024.

Partners with Saratoga Hospital's Community Health Center to deliver weekly food prescription boxes and physician-led nutrition education to patients, combining fresh produce distribution with clinical support to address diet-related health conditions.

Provides over 100,000 nutrient-dense servings annually to more than 2,500 individuals monthly via the Food for All program, distributing farm-grown produce through partnerships with approximately 12 regional food pantries, hunger-relief organizations, and Food for Medicine sites.

Hosts free, family-friendly music programs, poetry series, immersive art experiences, and annual gatherings such as the Fire Feast to connect community, agriculture, and the arts, fostering public engagement and celebration of land stewardship.

Maintains two walking trail loops (0.5 and 1.7 miles) with distance markers and connects the farm’s trail network to the Saratoga Greenbelt Trail, linking western neighborhoods to downtown Saratoga Springs, the Railroad Run Trail, and Saratoga Spa State Park.

Manages a 166-acre farm in Saratoga Springs, NY, integrating climate-smart crop production, regenerative cover cropping, riparian restoration, and native habitat development to support food production, soil health, and environmental conservation. The farm includes 16 acres of cultivated crops, 30 acres under cover cropping, and 4 acres transitioning to permanent native pollinator plantings.

Runs a compost program enabling residents to drop off food scraps, which are weighed and logged by participants; the resulting compost is used to enrich soil in community gardens and farm fields, supporting sustainable food production and public education on waste reduction.

Runs a 24/7 farm stand that sells just-harvested vegetables from its fields and products from over 25 local producers, including pasture-raised meats and seasonal fruit, while accepting SNAP/EBT to expand access to healthy, locally grown food.

Operates over 125 sliding-scale community garden beds on-site and manages 13 off-site gardens for individuals facing food and housing insecurity, offering scholarships and flexible payment options to increase accessibility.

Offers ongoing education and workforce development programs, including hands-on Harvest Cooking Classes at partner sites and a Trained and Recurring Volunteer (TRV) program that engages committed volunteers in seasonal farm operations and land stewardship activities.

Hosts weddings and other private events on its 166-acre property as part of its mission-driven revenue model, leveraging the farm’s natural and agricultural setting to support financial sustainability.

Offers a 16-week pick-your-own CSA program from June to October, allowing members to harvest fresh produce directly from fields, with full scholarships and SNAP benefit eligibility ($21/week) to ensure affordability and inclusion.

Runs a community garden program that enables diverse community members to access healthy food and nature through shared gardening activities conducted on public land.

Acquires, holds, manages, and develops distressed, vacant, abandoned, and under-utilized properties in Broome County to eliminate blight and support community development. Properties are acquired through tax foreclosure and property settlements, such as the 2025 acquisition at 181 Hawley Street in Binghamton.

Conducts demolition of severely blighted, vacant, or unsafe residential and commercial structures throughout Broome County. The organization has completed or assisted in the demolition of 85 properties, including 52 residential and 7 commercial units, with over $1 million invested in related projects.

Funds property redevelopment and neighborhood stabilization efforts through grantmaking, having awarded $16.1 million in grants to support rehabilitation, demolition, and reuse of distressed properties in Broome County.

Generates economic impact by leveraging $47.3 million in total public and private investment through property redevelopment activities, including sales proceeds of $2.55 million from property transactions.

Offers newly renovated homes for purchase by low-to-moderate income individuals and families through the Affordable Homes Program, managing sales via realtors and reviewing offers for program qualification. The program has achieved a 100% success rate in ensuring approved buyers fulfill housing-related payments with no defaults.