Imagine Saratoga County without its farms. Imagine if beautiful farm scenes, like the ones captured above, were replaced by housing developments and commercial strip malls.

We are losing Saratoga’s farmland. Over the past four decades, we have lost nearly 25% of our county’s farmland, the fastest rate of farmland loss in the Capital District Region. As development pushes outward into our rural areas, farmers are increasingly working under intense development and market pressures.

Today there are over 400 family-owned farms and 70,000 acres of farmland remaining in Saratoga County. Although the number of farms has decreased over the years, farming remains strong and continues to enhance our quality of life. Farms contribute to our health and well being in the following ways:

• Scenic landscapes and open space
• A $100 million annual contribution to the county’s economy
• A major land use that pays taxes, provides jobs, and contributes to the rural character and beauty of many of our towns
• The source of local farm products from milk to eggs, apples, sod, flowers, wool and vegetables
• Natural resource systems that purify our air and water supply
• Habitat for many species of wildlife

By supporting local agriculture, we are investing in our future for generations to come.

The Cost of Development
Several studies of towns in New York found that new residential development costs communities more in services than it generates in revenues. Farmland, on the other hand, only costs a community $.29 in services for every $1.00 it generates in revenue.

How You Can Help
The future of farming depends in part on community appreciation and support of agriculture. Here are some ways to show your support:

• Shop at local produce stands and farm markets whenever possible. Keeping local farms in business conserves open space and keeps taxes lower.
• Encourage your town board to support the Purchase of Development Rights, Conservation Easements, Right to Farm Laws, Agricultural Districts and other laws and programs that help keep farmers in business.
• Let elected officials know the importance of ending the destruction of productive farmland.
• Be friendly towards farmers and understanding about farm practices. Your support helps farmers stay in business.
• Take your family to those farms that offer farm tours, hayrides and the like. This way, you can see first hand how food is produced and what happens on a farm.

For more information on local farms and farmland protection tools, proceed to Farm Resources Section.

Now, take in the spectacular views of the Hudson valley to the east, from the mosaic landscape of nearby fields to the hills in Washington County and the Green Mountains of Vermont in the distance. A healthy agriculture allows us to enjoy these magnificent vistas. The rolling hills and flat plains of Bacon Hill are not just views of scenic beauty; they are part of a working landscape cultivated by farmers. As the number of farmers and the amount of farmland in the country diminish, we often loose the beauty and openness of our rural landscape. It is good to know that our rural heritage is alive and well in Bacon Hill.