Orange & Rockland Utilities presented the Rockland Farm Alliance (RFA) with a $25,000 donation Monday.
The grant will allow the RFA to expand the number of acres it will plant at Cropsey Community Farm in New City from five to 12 acres. Previously, the program's management could not build proper fences to protect the land from local animals. Cropsey is the largest organic community supported farm in Rockland County.
"This is one of those happy occasions where good fences literally do make good neighbors," O&R Director of Public Affairs Tom Brizzolara said. "I'm a backyard gardener and I know how hungry deer get and how resourceful they are at chewing up growing produce. A good, tall fence is a great investment in a successful harvest.
"At O&R, we make contributions based on a number of criteria including local environmental stewardship, educational value, cultural support and community sustainability. This project addresses each of these goals and more. We are proud to support this very important work."
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