WALKER VALLEY � Linda Borghi has some great plans for a pair of 2.7 acre lots on Saxton Road in Walker Valley.

Calling them "Abundant Life Farm," Borghi intends to "farm, raise great food from the land." She also says that such farming, if intensive enough, can "make $50,000 a year from even a small plot."

Abundant Life Farm, is located ten minutes from Sam's Point Preserve, and, says Borghi, "Using Small Plot Intensive [SPIN] farming, we produce vegetables and herbs, biodynamically, without pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers."

The land she's working now belongs to Barry Adelman, her companion, who has lived on Saxton Lane for quite some time.

However, Borghi's plans have run into opposition, both from the neighbors on Saxton Lane, and from the Town of Shawangunk. The project brings into focus a number of issues, and has drawn other voices into the debate.

First in, as might be expected, was George Sawyer, Building Inspector for the Town of Shawangunk. On February 16, Sawyer's office received a message from Borghi, outlining her plans.

From a half acre of land, or 21,850 square feet, she proposed to "feed 40 families, and partake in 3 farmers' markets weekly for 23 weeks, from the end of May to the end of October."

She intended to use the small farm to "educate others how to grow food for themselves." She also said the "estimated revenue from this half acre is $70,000 this season."

Then she added that she was "looking to raise 100-300 egg layers" as well as keep "two Highland (hairy) Mountain Cows and seven angora Mountain goats." She wanted the animals, in part, because they would generate manure, which is critical for biodynamic farming.

That set off alarm bells at the building department. George Sawyer said, "That property is in the RS1 Zone, that's the Ridge Stewardship Zone, which requires seven acres now for a house. Everything [in her plan] was illegal. There were seven complaints from neighbors, so I had to investigate them."

Meanwhile Borghi had cut down trees and planted a lot of vegetables. "Barry and I are engaged to marry," said Borghi. "Last winter we decided to stay here and farm here."

The couple received their first shock on March�9.

"I got a letter from George Sawyer, and in essence I was denied."

The crucial parts of that letter read as follows: "From a reading of our current Zoning Law, at Section 177-65, a farm must be 10 acres. Section 177-20 (A) requires certain agriculture set backs and Section 177-20 (c) requires 1 acre per horse or cow for properties of under 10 acres. Section 177-20 (d) limits "domestic game fowl" to 20 birds per acre if the property is under 10 acres. Section 177-6 (B) 3 provides a reference to the NYS Ag & Markets law where land used in agricultural production is defined as at least 7 acres."

John Valk, Supervisor of the Town of Shawangunk commented, "It's the animals that are the problem. They can be noisy, and they smell. In hot summer weather manure attracts flies and the smell can be bad."

Borghi applied to become part of an agricultural district, which would allow her to get around the town's zoning laws. That application will be voted on by Ulster County in July. The Town of Shawangunk has written to the county seeking a negative vote.

At the Shawangunk Town Board meeting on June 17, Borghi's quest received support from Liana Hoodes, well known local organic farmer and activist. Hoodes is the Policy Director of the National Organic Coalition. She said that she lived with her family "on five acres in Walker Valley, and have raised sheep, chickens and grown over 50 different types of vegetables in a 2,100 square foot garden." She explained that for the last 16 years she had worked for non-governmental organizations dedicated to changing federal policy to support small and family farmers.

Hoodes then said, "I have recently heard town officials say things that lead me to think that perhaps you may not understand about modern agriculture or agricultural trends.

"I have heard town officials say: 'farming is dead'; 'two acres can't be a farm'; and most recently read in the newspaper that 'owners of a 2 acre farm must be attempting to circumvent the zoning laws, because they could never accomplish the range of uses proposed' � and on that basis you wrote against their inclusion in an agricultural district."

Hoodes went on to criticize the "antiquated zoning laws" that would be used to shut down Abundant Life Farm. Hoodes then discussed the tricky issue of defining a farm by production value. "USDA characterizes a small farm as one with sales less than $250,000 and the Ag Census defines one if sales are at least $1,000.

"Dairy farmers," she added, "know that you can gross over $100,000 and still not net a thing, so these definitions are quite variable."

Thus, without meaning to, Linda Borghi's farming venture has put her at the intersection of several issues. Among her neighbors there is opposition to machinery, noise and smells, but at the same time, there is a degree of sympathy, too. One of her neighbors, Nick Hoffman, has been quoted as saying, "She should go down into the valley and save a farm down there, I'd even give her a donation and buy produce from her."

John Valk says, "We aren't against farming, not at all. And I'm not saying that our zoning isn't too restrictive, but as it presently stands, it forbids the animals."

The Town Board stands by its views, but as Hoodes pointed out, "We have watched our dairy farms struggle with a pricing system that is putting them out of business. But that does not mean farming is dead. It is just changing."

"Demand for locally grown produce is exceptional in this region. Techniques in agriculture have changed. Intensive agriculture, rotational grazing, grass fed, organic and sustainable � are all things we didn't really talk about 30 years ago.

"Today's farms are innovating in amazing ways and Shawangunk is uniquely placed close enough to markets for these products," she said.