EMales

Morgan Cole has joined the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust team as an Intern for the spring 2020 semester, focusing on land protection and monitoring.

Majoring in Zoology with a minor in Sustainability Studies, Morgan was born and raised in the town of Rosendale, on the Hudson River in the Catskill region of New York. Growing up in that region is what developed her love for nature and being outdoors. From fishing and swimming to hiking – she has always spent a lot of time outside.

Being raised to appreciate nature conservation, she is passionate about connecting with nature and the “Biophilia hypothesis” or, how humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. “Parks filled with trees in the middle of a city, indoor plants, and preferring a window in offices or classrooms is an example of this in action.” Says Morgan. “There are many different ways we can connect with nature through a variety of outdoor activities. I believe that people should look at nature as not only a place to experience the outdoors, but also as a place that should be cared for and conserved for the future.”

Morgan is thrilled to be working with the land trust during her final semester of college and upon graduation, hopes to secure a full-time position with the NYS DEC or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

If you are a farmer in the Tug Hill region you are probably familiar with Farm Credit East. Serving agricultural efforts and rural communities throughout New York, New England and New Jersey, they provide financial services for land and home owners.

Founded to provide financial support to agricultural and rural communities, Farm Credit East extends their support beyond their routine area of business to their customers and the communities they call home by giving back where help is needed.

A Champion Sponsor of Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust’s 2019 Annual Dinner and Silent Auction, Farm Credit East’s philanthropic efforts aim to support the Northeast agricultural community, with a focus on the industry’s next generation, prioritizing youth education and development of young farmers.

“An important part of our commitment to the next generation is ensuring there is land available to continue the tradition of farming throughout the region, and Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust plays an important role in preserving land for future generations of agricultural producers.” 

– Wes Kujawa, Mortgage Specialist & Regional Team Leader

Striving to protect and promote the Tug Hill region’s natural and cultural heritage, Farm Credit East chose to support Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust with hope for a vibrant agricultural community for future generations.

In the Tug Hill Region, Farm Credit East’s office is located at 25417 NY Route 12 in Watertown, NY. Give them a call at (315) 782-6050, or visit them online at FarmCreditEast.com to learn more.

The Dairy Transitions Farmland Protection Initiative is focused on dairy farms that are either looking to diversify their operation, or transfer to the next generation or a new ownership.

This grant opportunity is being offered to enable eligible applicants, like Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, to specifically implement conservation easement projects with owners of viable agricultural lands that are associated with a Dairy Farm Operation at risk of conversion to non-farm uses. Proceeds from the sale of a conservation easement on viable agricultural land will offer landowners an opportunity to either reinvest those monies to enable greater diversification of the farm operation or the transfer of ownership to a new owner of the same or different type of farm operation.

Projects are limited to permanent conservation easements on dairy farm operations on viable agricultural land that is transitioning to: (1) the next ownership of a continuing dairy farm, but whose operation has been modified to ensure greater financial sustainability, (2) a more diversified overall farm operation, while continuing, at least in part, as a dairy, or (3) a different type of non-dairy farm operation. If you are a dairy farmer that fits this description and is located in Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida or Oswego County, Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust would like to work with you.  If you have additional questions or would like to discuss your eligibility for this program, please contact JJ Schell at (315) 779-8240 or [email protected].