PINE BUSH – On November 12, the Open Space Institute (OSI) announced that three more farms in Orange County had been protected by the purchase of development rights, through grants from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The state grants are provided every year to assist farmers to stay in business and keep open land, not just for the views, but also for future farmers.

The three farms were the 113 acre Siegel farm, the 102 acre Vellenga farm, both of which are in the Town of Crawford, and 113 acres of the Sprucegate Dairy, which lies in Montgomery.

Jennifer Grossman, OSI's Vice President for land acquisition, said, "We applaud the Menendez, Siegel, and Vellenga families for their patience, dedication, and commitment in maintaining a lifestyle and landscape that without doubt benefits us all."

Michael Menendez, Town Board member for the Town of Crawford, grew up on the Sprucegate farm, which is still owned and operated by his family.

"My grandfather came over from Spain in the early 1920s," said Menendez. "He bought the farm in 1928. It was a great place to grow up."

Menendez points out something that isn't often discussed in this context.

"Everyone loves to drive around in the countryside and see the farms. But people don't realize that the neat looking countryside doesn't stay that way by itself. So a process like this is not only protecting farmland from development, but helping farmers to keep the farms from getting shabby. And that pays off in terms of the aesthetics of our area and our property values." From the point of view of the Town of Crawford, the preservation of open space is vital to keeping the natural beauty that has drawn so many to want to live there. Menendez explains that the Town of Crawford contributed a small amount of the money needed to complete the deal.

"Seventy-five percent of the money comes from the state," says Menendez. "The OSI comes up with most of the rest, and the town put in what might be two percent. For that, the town gets the benefit of open space and higher property values for everyone."

Menendez adds that the state will continue the program. "I have heard that despite the economic situation the state is going to try and do something in 2010."

A neighbor of Menendez, Henry DeVries, concluded a similar deal with OSI and the state back in 2006.

"This farm is my family's home," he says. "We raised 11 children on this farm, and two of my sons live on the place still. At one point we had 23 grandchildren living here. Plus, we always loved it here in Pine Bush, and we've been here 45 years. So we talked it over with the kids and they said, 'Don't ever sell the farm. This is home.' So we went and made the deal."

DeVries says he has no regrets. "If you're planning to stay in farming, this is a win-win thing. Mind you, if you're in a hurry to get the money, you might want to think again. We started this on September 10, 2001, the day before 9/11, and we didn't complete the deal until 2006. Everything was approved on the local level but the state took five years to come through. But, I have to say, we never regretted it."

DeVries is also pleased with the most recent developments.

"I think it's great. The Siegel farm is right next door, Vellenga is just down the road a little bit. So all this area is going to stay farmland. I think a couple of other neighbors are also interested."

For the town at large, he says, "It means property values will go up and taxes will stay down."