Release Date: July 18, 2022

Bedford Hills, NY—Westchester Land Trust (WLT) was awarded a $16,840 grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) as part of the Community Growers Grant Program. The funds will support WLT’s small-acre food pantry farm garden at its Sugar Hill Farm headquarters in Bedford Hills, as well as the organization’s food justice efforts.

Volunteers harvesting zucchini at WLT’s Sugar Hill Farm

“Food insecurity impacts many people in our community and the need for fresh, nutritious food is greater than ever,” said Kara Whelan, WLT’s vice president. “This grant will help us grow veggies, fruits, and herbs for our neighbors in need, improve access to agricultural lands for local farms, and give volunteers hands-on experience with sustainable farming techniques.”

WLT has partnered with local food banks since 2012 to grow and distribute an average of 8,000 servings of fresh produce annually to local families in need in Westchester. The land trust currently works with the Community Center of Northern Westchester (CCNW) as its distribution partner and Allison Turcan contracts with WLT to manage its small-acre farm. Allison is supported by WLT staff and a bi-weekly teams of dedicated volunteers from throughout the community who help plant, weed, harvest, and weigh the food grown at Sugar Hill Farm, and deliver it to CCNW, which serves over 10,000 low income, food-insecure individuals a year, including over 3,000 children.

The Community Growers grant will allow WLT to expand the growing capacity of the gardens at Sugar Hill Farm and increase efficiencies to meet the increased need for produce. It will also support WLT’s efforts to meet the pantry clients’ desire for greater food variety, and leverage existing farm infrastructure to reduce the cost per serving to produce. With an emphasis on food justice and sovereignty, WLT’s team works closely with CCNW to identify the crops and produce favored by the families receiving the food to ensure that those in need are part of the solution and the process of selecting the foods they prefer to cook and eat.

Volunteers processing garlic at WLT’s Sugar Hill Farm

“Growing food is one of the best ways we can support our local community,” said Allison Turcan, founder of DIG Farm and manager of WLT’s Sugar Hill Farm. “This season is already off to a great start and we’re glad to see so many new and returning volunteers show up each week to help out and learn about sustainable farming techniques.”

In addition to the farm garden, WLT works to protect farmland from the risk of development, with approximately 20 percent of the nearly 9,000 acres that WLT has preserved being agricultural lands. WLT works with local farmers and landowners to facilitate farmland match opportunities and is also exploring ways to put land into production for urban and non-traditional farms.

WLT welcomes volunteers of all ages and abilities to get their hands dirty at Sugar Hill Farm during Tuesday and Thursday garden sessions that run April through October. Pre-registration is required—visit WLT’s website to sign up.

“We appreciate New York State AGM for supporting Westchester Land Trust’s community-led work to help build a stronger, more sustainable, and more equitable food system,” said Whelan. “We look forward to listening to the needs of our community and stepping up in new and expanded ways.”