The truth is that all of our food comes from somewhere, and someone grew or raised it. By keeping that production in, or bringing that production back to, our local communities, farmers like us can have a major impact. From economic boons like job creation, small business autonomy, and regional food security to environmental impacts like clean air and water, we believe protecting our region’s farmland should be everyone’s mission.

Perched on a picturesque hill in Alexander, NY is one of the prettiest farms you'll find in Western New York. You will recognize it by the sight of cows grazing in a nearby pasture or the tall silos standing sentry beside the kind of old-fashioned red gambrel-roofed barns that used to dot Western New York. The Schmieder Farm is an organic dairy operated by Paul Schmieder Jr. and his wife, Lynnette. It's been family-owned and operated since 1951, when Paul's dad bought it wit

By Rachel Chrostowski, Farmland Protection Specialist During the summer when I was a kid, I spent the days out at my grandmother’s house...