Cleaning up our corner of the world
Agroforester Ryan Surrano, Farmer Kim Licurse and Groundskeeper Jonathan Edwards on cleanup duty.
Last week our team from Wally Farms spent an hour cleaning up Pumpkin Hollow Rd in Taghkanic, New York. We gathered with the goal of reducing environmental impact and collected about 100 pounds of litter. This trash ranged from cans and bottles to a truck fender and broken appliances. It was truly an eye-opener, showing how pollution affects even rural areas like ours, which can impact local wildlife and damage the natural habitat.
Taghkanic is part of the Hudson Valley, an area known for its agricultural significance and natural beauty. The valley supports a robust farming community, contributing to the local economy and food supply. Maintaining the cleanliness and health of our environment is crucial and not just for aesthetics. Microplastics from discarded plastic trash not only contaminate our environment but also pose serious threats to wildlife and human health, as they accumulate in food chains and water sources. This directly affects crop quality and farm output.
Among the litter, we found Pheasant-backed mushrooms, a fascinating species known for their distinctive feather-like patterns that make them a favorite among local foragers. Additionally, we spotted rare purple trilliums, a species cherished for its vibrant color and rarity in the wild. These discoveries were a vivid reminder of the rich biodiversity that thrives in our local environment, underscoring the importance of our efforts to keep natural habitats free from pollution. It was a moment that not only brought joy to our day but also reinforced the direct connection between our environmental stewardship and the health of the ecosystem.
Our cleanup effort was also a lesson in climate resilience. Climate resilience means preparing for and adapting to climate-related changes and disturbances. By cleaning up our roadsides, we help mitigate pollution effects and strengthen our community’s ability to cope with environmental changes. This is important as the Hudson Valley faces challenges like increased rainfall and extreme weather events due to climate change. Such conditions can disrupt farming operations and affect the stability of local food systems.
In agriculture, sustainability means adopting practices that ensure we can meet our needs today without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs. At Wally Farms, sustainability also encompasses maintaining strong, respectful relationships with our community and the land, ensuring that our environmental stewardship practices contribute positively to the well-being and cohesion of the area..We hope that we can also enhance the broader community by keeping Taghkanic attractive to both visitors and potential residents who appreciate and support sustainable living.
Community initiatives like New York State’s Adopt-a-Highway program show the scale of impact possible when people come together to clean up their environments. These programs don’t just keep the roads clean; they build a sense of collective responsibility toward the planet. Residents of Taghkanic actively participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program along Route 82 each spring, with the event details announced in the local Tgazette well ahead of the scheduled date. While the permit also requires a cleanup in the fall, it has been challenging to recruit enough volunteers to commit even once a year.
Would you like to get involved and make a difference at the community level? It only took us an hour and we removed a significant amount of trash from one of our favorite roads. We encourage you to join us in these important cleanup efforts. Your participation can truly help us make a significant impact.
