Ryder Farm, a 128-acre agricultural property in the town of Southeast, will be permanently protected by the Westchester Land Trust (WLT) through the purchase of a conservation easement. WLT will purchase the development rights to this property with $2 million in funding provided by Round 18 of the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program, a program of New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Ryder family will continue to own and operate the farm.
Protecting this property is a high priority for WLT and the Ryder Family due to the increasing development pressure and the risk of high-density housing that could cause negative environmental impacts. Agricultural production on Ryder Farm plays a crucial role in the regional economy, helping to meet the increasing demand for locally sourced organic produce.
