Alpacas, goats and orchids

Neighbors say not in my backyard

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — It’s a line that perhaps has never been spoken before in the government center: “I’m a major orchid producer.” The words came from Stuart Salinger, who also raises alpacas, mohair goats and a few other animals on his farm in Forestburgh; he also manages his “family’s foundations.”

Salinger was speaking at a public hearing about whether 24 acres of his land should be entered into the Sullivan County Ag District Four, which would allow him to appeal any zoning laws enacted by town officials to the New York State Department of Ag and Markets.

The local agricultural community heartily supports him; some of his neighbors do not. His neighbors didn’t want him to be entered into the district because they don’t believe his property is a suitable place for a farm.

At the hearing, several testified that since Salinger began his farming activities in 2005, he has put up unsightly chain link fences, he keeps up to two hundred animals on his farm, shines high-powered lights all night and generally makes life unpleasant.

James Gallagan, the supervisor of Forestburgh, said that at the town meeting in early August, numerous residents spoke out against Salinger joining the district, and the board voted unanimously to oppose it. The town board, however, has no authority in the matter, which must be decided by the county legislature. Gallagan said that if county lawmakers voted in Salinger’s favor, it would be a violation of the concept of home rule.

Salinger, however, had some powerful friends in his corner. Joe Walsh, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, testified that Salinger’s farm was helping to maintain agriculture as the largest industry in the county, and was a leader in moving the county to developing markets, such as alpaca fibers.

Robert Kaplan, chair of the county’s agricultural and farmland protection board, said that Salinger obtained all the necessary permits to build his operation and followed all the rules.

Norman Duttweiler, owner of the Forestburgh Playhouse, said Salinger provides excellent care of his animals and has made significant positive contributions to the town and the county.

Before the lawmakers voted, several commented on why they backed Salinger. Lawmaker David Sager said he visited the farm, and that it was not located in a typical residential development. Instead, the houses in the area are situated on large lots with some distance from the farming operation.

Lawmaker Leni Binder noted that Forestburgh’s tax assessor had granted agricultural tax reductions for two years in a row on the property.

Lawmaker Ron Hiatt noted that the opposition had not charged that Salinger had committed any zoning violations.

Lawmaker Frank Armstrong said that Salinger is on the “cutting edge” of new farm products that could keep agriculture viable in the county. He added, “The opportunity to farm is something I would not want to deny to anyone.”

The board voted seven to two in favor of entering Salinger’s farm into the agricultural district, with lawmakers Kathy LaBuda and Jonathan Rouis voting no.