Three towns win grants to aid farm preservation

The state Agriculture Department has awarded three $25,000 planning grants to the Towns of New Paltz, Marbletown and Shawangunk to help develop local agricultural and farmland plans.

The awards were announced yesterday at New Paltz Town Hall by state Agriculture Commissioner Peter Hooker. He emphasized the money wasn't "just for open space" but was aimed at helping farmers continue to work the land. The supervisors of the three towns echoed Hooker's sentiments.

Supervisor Toni Hokanson said that farming in New Paltz not only provided food for residents but also for the community's many restaurants.

She said after the announcement that protecting and enhancing agriculture in the town probably would include relaxing zoning laws. She said she hoped to form a committee composed primarily of town farmers to see what they want done.