Due to rapid commercial and retail development in the vicinity, combined with the level sandy soils of the land, the development rights are very valuable and the donation of the conservation easement a generous gift to the community. The views of open fields from busy roads, the replenishment and cleansing of groundwater reserves and stormwater absorption, clean air, and climate moderation are a few of the other public benefits this protected farmland will continue to offer the public throughout time.
Saratoga PLAN secured $32,144 in funding from Saratoga County, $10,000 from the Town of Wilton, and approximately $25,000 in private donations that will be used for transaction costs such as the survey, title insurance and legal fees, and to support the perpetual stewardship of the conservation easement by PLAN.
Tooker is a retired farmer who formerly ran a dairy and a sawmill on the site and still plants his own garden and freezes his vegetables for the winter.
At the closing, Tooker said, “I’ve been offered money by different developers they didn’t feel I could turn down. But I never wanted a housing development down through the fields. There are so many farms just plain being used for development and going out of business. There is going to be a shortage of land in the future. Just like the water problem. There’s going to be a shortage of water, too. I wanted my land to be used for agriculture.”
Maria Trabka, Executive Director of Saratoga PLAN, said, “With farmland disappearing at a rapid rate all over Saratoga County, we are extremely grateful that Donald Tooker had the vision of preserving this key piece of land in one of the fastest growing communities around. This one-time investment in land conservation will ensure there is a source of locally grown food for future generations. PLAN is extremely humbled that Mr. Tooker entrusted this resource to us. We now have the responsibility to protect this land forever, and the donations to our stewardship fund will help make that possible.”
Saratoga PLAN’s Conservation Director, Michael Horn, added, “We couldn’t protect these valuable pieces of farmland without the support, financial and otherwise, and cooperation of the local community. The Tooker Farm is a win-win for Wilton, the landowner, and all those who want to preserve some of the rural character of the county.”
In the past 12 months Saratoga PLAN has conserved seven farms in Saratoga County, protecting 858 acres. PLAN currently has 10 additional farm projects in the works.