Elbridge, NY -- The New York Agricultural Land Trust hosted a luncheon at the Hourigan Dairy Farm in Elbridge Friday to celebrate the first anniversary of the organization.

More than 125 people attended including farmers, municipal leaders, organizational supporters, state Sen. John DeFrancisco and Deputy Commissioner of the state Department of Agricultural and Markets, Jerry Cosgrove.

The Hourigan dairy farm hosted tours of the milking parlor and dairy barns. The 650-acre farm is permanently protected from development by a conservation easement.

Maureen Knapp, board chair, said "the New York Agricultural Land Trust was formed by farmers, for farmers. Over the past year, over 100 farmers throughout the state have contacted us to see if we can help them conserve their family's lands."

The New York Agricultural Land Trust works with municipalities and farmers in Central and Western New York to help develop and implement farmland protection projects funded with state farmland protection grants.

David Haight, state Director of American Farmland Trust, was acknowledged for his instrumental work in the formation of of the land trust.

DeFrancisco was recognized at the event for his leadership support for farmland conservation.

Interest in farmland conservation is growing rapidly. The New York Agricultural Land Trust is working with a number of farm families to conserve more than 5,500 acres of farmland.

"For many farmers, such as my family, conserving our land with the New York State Farmland Protection Program was the right thing to do, Nancy Hourigan said. "NYALT wasn't around when we protected our land -- that is one of the reasons I helped establish the land trust. It was important that we create an organization that was farm-friendly and professional--one that could really help farmers. This first year has been a tremendous step in that direction."