Chatham, New York, located in Columbia County on the east side of the Hudson Valley is a community that recognized that it didn't understand as much as it wanted to about the farming that provides its open space and community character.  In the early stages of a review of its comprehensive plan, it undertook Glynwood's Keep Farming program as a way of learning more and beginning a constructive dialogue with local farmers.

Chatham residents have completed the assessment phase of the Keep Farming program, having collected data on local farming economics, aesthetics, food supply and the environment.  In November, these findings were presented at a Community Forum attended by more than 60 farmers and community residents.  Through the use of the Keep Farming tools, the community has learned a great deal about the role that agriculture plays in their community and generated a high level of community interest, involvement and support.

Some of the assessment teams' key findings are summarized below:

1. Economics:  In 2003, annual gross sales of all farms studied were $4,660,000.  Overall, some farmers reported that they were making a minimal profit from their farms while most reported they were breaking even.  If the farmers had to include the cost of labor, all reported that they would have posted a loss for the year.  The farmers are not paying themselves or their family members.
   
   It was also reported that in 2003 the farmers spent more than $1.15 million in Columbia County on only supplies and services.  The fragile balance between having the farms and maintaining the support services that keep the farms in business will be seriously impacted if farmland begins to be sold for development or if the service providers relocate out of the area.
    
2. Local Foods:  The team was surprised to learn that a significant number of local businesses are currently making an effort to use local products when available.  However, the challenges to increasing the amount of products sold include cost issues, inconvenience in obtaining the products and issues with marketing and distribution.
    
3. Natural Resources:  Working farms provide nearly all of Chatham's open space, 64% in tillable soil and 18% in pastures.  Since the majority of agriculture in Chatham is dairy, the major concern of the dairy farmers relates to storage of animal waste during the winter months.  Overall, the farmers are using few if any chemicals and practice some form of soil conservation though they do not participate in state or federal land management programs.
    
4. Aesthetics:  This team took hundreds of photos identifying the visual characteristics that define Chatham.  These photos show that Chatham has distinct characteristics reflective of its rural and agricultural heritage.  The team found it necessary to go to neighboring communities to find examples of what was unattractive and would not be reflective of Chatham, i.e. Wal-Mart, Mc Mansions and busy highways.

During 2005, Chatham has been working to identify strategies and approaches that can be incorporated into planning and economic development programs to support farmers and farming in Chatham.  The assessment teams established during the Part One of the program were reconfigured into four working groups that were charged with developing the recommendations to be included in the Town of Chatham’s new comprehensive plan.

The new teams include:
Land – how to preserve land for agriculture;

Infrastructure – how to support the viability of farms as businesses and maintain a sustainable local healthy food system;

People – how to educate the public about living in an agricultural community how to insure there are enough people with the right skills to farm; and

Money – how to generate the financial resources needed to implement the recommendations.

Glynwood Center has been providing direct and technical assistance to the teams to help shape the recommendations.  With the assistance of Glynwood Center staff, the teams researched strategies and techniques being implemented by other communities who are also attempting to preserve farms and farmland.

On June 30, 2005, local farmers, elected and appointed community officials and residents attended the Community Agriculture Forum where a set of thirteen recommendations were presented.  The recommendations ranged from simple – erect signs declaring Chatham a “farm friendly” community to more in-depth – implement a Purchase of Development Program by the Town and introduce a bond referendum to generate funds for the preservation of farmland.

The recommendations were presented by four area farmers who represent the agricultural diversity of Chatham - dairy, produce and small livestock.  These farmers have been actively involved in the Community Agriculture Partnership since the start of the Keep Farming Program.

For an in-depth look at the Keep farming Program in Chatham and to view the complete list of Chatham’s recommendations, visit the community’s website at, www.chathamkeepfarming.org .