Final Tilly Foster Forum Held as Residents Continue to Brainstorm
By Janine Bowen
Putnam County residents worked together to explore ways to make Tilly Foster Farm self-sustaining and attractive to visitors at the final public forum about the county owned property last Wednesday.
Prior to residents breaking up into groups to discuss ideas for the farm, Deputy County Executive Bruce Walker explained the effort is currently in the process of gathering up ideas that were presented at previous meetings, to determine what could have the potential to be successful. In addition, they wished to continue gathering input from community members. All feasible ideas will be compiled and presented to the Tilly Foster Task Force Core Team (TFTT) for presentation to the legislature, at the Physical Services Committee Meeting, in May.
Walker stated that once the TFTT has compiled the information into a format suitable for the legislature, there will likely be another public meeting, for the purpose of informing residents of what the legislature will see.
Much of the focus at Wednesday’s meeting revolved around educational opportunities that Tilly Foster could offer to the community. Residents hoped to see colleges and universities open satellite programs on the farm, to teach everything from veterinary training to agricultural studies. They also suggested offering culinary classes through BOCES, or even local high schools, as well as classes that could teach families to grow their own food and promote agriculture in the county.
The group also suggested using some of the farm land as part of a business incubator program for young farmers. The program would provide start up land to new farmers to care for and give them an opportunity to learn how to farm for a living.
Group chairs noted that it is important to develop ideas that will fill a need in the community while not competing with nearby local businesses.
“We are in charge of finding the best idea or the best thing that’s suited for the farm” said Ervin Raboy, chair of the agriculture sub-committee.
In addition to educational programs that may bring money to the farm, residents discussed ways to integrate fun activities into the farm to attract visitors, especially during the slower winter months.
One suggestion was to offer winter sports, including cross country skiing and snow shoeing as well as sleigh riding for children. They also considered flooding a field to create a temporary ice skating rink as well as possibly giving ice cutting demonstrations.
During the discussions, residents looked to other outdoor venues to gauge what types of events have successfully attracted patrons in the past. One resident noted that the only children’s garden is at the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx, and suggested that Tilly Foster create one that is more accessible to suburban residents. They also looked to the holiday light show at the Bronx Zoo, suggesting that a similar event may be successful in Putnam County.
All agreed though, that while the goal is to bring residents to the county owned farm, they do not want to resort to tacky gimmicks and aim to preserve the history and feel of the original farm.
“It will be alive again. We’re just trying to determine in what direction,” said Rick Sarasota.
Ann Fanizzi, a Tilly Foster volunteer and donor, noted the farm may not need to look at outside sources in order to determine what could be successful. She remembers holding successful holiday dinners at the lodge on the property when George Whipple was still in control of the farm, and suggested that similar parties could be sources of revenue.
The TFTT hopes to develop a comprehensive plan, incorporating the ideas of residents, by May 1. Although Wednesday marked the last public meeting for the purpose of gathering ideas, residents are still welcome to submit any suggestions they may have for the farm to TillyFoster@PutnamCountyNY.gov.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
