Warwick farm, rated ‘top tier,' gets open space grant

Warwick —The Myruski dairy farm in the Town of Warwick is one of four projects to be awarded money from Orange County in its third round of open space grants. The 200-acre farm, rated by the Metropolitan Conservation Alliance as a “top tier farm worthy of significant conservation resources” because of its role in supporting biological diversity, will receive $510,840. The farm contains over 120-acres of soils of statewide significance. The county will pay a total of $1.65 million to preserve over 469 acres throughout the county. The 114-acre Menendez farm in the Town of Montgomery will receive $192,100. It has more than 2,100 feet of frontage on the Wallkill River, making it a priority for the many organizations seeking to protect the river’s water quality. The 160-acre Kezialain farm in the Town of Minisink was awarded $584,000. It is one of the oldest farms in New York, having been farmed by the Lain Family since 1775. The Town of Newburgh Chadwick Lake Reservoir Protection was awarded $371,250 to buy 6.4 acres of land along Chadwick Lake, which is both a Critical Environment Area and a source of drinking water for some town residents. “Preserving valuable Open Space is of vital importance in making sure that Orange County’s great quality of life remains strong for future generations to enjoy,” said County Executive Ed Diana when announcing the grants last Wednesday.