Creating a Working Farm at Traphagen in West Nyack

Clarkstown is teaming up with the Rockland Farm Alliance to operate a restored 18th century working farm and education center on the town’s open space property known as Traphagen, on Germonds Road in West Nyack.

The Rockland Farm Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Rockland County’s remaining farmland before it is lost to suburban development. RFA and Heritage West Nyack, a local not-for-profit formed to preserve the history of the hamlet of West Nyack, proposed to restore the 9-acre historic property into a working farm and agricultural education destination, modeled on the original farm that was established on the property nearly 300 years ago.

“Protecting our farms and open space have always been a top priority of mine,“ Supervisor Alex Gromack said. “The Town is proud to partner with the Rockland Farm Alliance to bring the historic Traphagen property back to its original existence. I look forward to residents, especially children, being able to visit the property to learn about our history, farming, and so much more.”

Rockland Farm Alliance also manages Cropsey Community Farm, a biodynamic CSA-model farm on historic property that was preserved through an open space partnership between the Town of Clarkstown and the County of Rockland. RFA uses the farm to provide Rockland with organically grown vegetables; farming, nutrition, and gardening education; and special family events.

“We’re so excited to be a part of this revival of farming in Rockland,” said John McDowell, RFA founder and President. “Traphagen Estate is a win for everyone, because it will bring the timeless architectural beauty and agricultural wisdom of our county’s past into a promising new future together. It will be a place where students and families can have fun, learn and be inspired by the balance of the natural world and the sustainable farm.”

Councilwoman Shirley Lasker initiated Clarkstown’s Open Space Program in 2000 and along with Gromack worked hard to save the Traphagen property and Cropsey Farm in New City from development.

“Since the formation of Rockland Farm Alliance in 2007, our County has benefited from increased acreage of local food production, greater awareness of healthy eating practices among the thousands of students who visit Cropsey Community Farm, and a generally deepened connection to the source of real food,” said Lasker. “Traphagen Farm is going to teach people about the history and future of organic farming in Rockland County, and I couldn’t be more proud of my colleagues and my community for bringing this transformative project to life.”