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An image from the Rockland Farm Alliance Instagram feed.
A new operator has been hired to run the Cropsey Community Farm and Depew Farm in Clarkstown, three months after the previous nonprofit disbanded amid financial challenges.
The Rockland Community Farm Network, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable farming, agricultural education, and food security, has been awarded a one-year, $75,000 contract, according to the Rockland County Executive’s Office.
RCFN will be responsible for maintaining the 24-acre Cropsey Farm and 32-acre Depew Farm, including barns, hoop houses, sheds and parking areas.
Programs at the two properties include:
- Sustainable farming
- Public programs and events
- Children’s education and hands-on learning
- Facilities and grounds maintenance
- Operating an organic farm stand and fruit and vegetable membership (also called Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA)
RCFN’s executive director, Sue Ferreri, “brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and agricultural advocacy and will play a pivotal role in guiding farm operations, strengthening partnerships, and expanding outreach efforts,” according to a press release from County Executive Ed Day.
Ferrari was previously executive director of the Rockland Farm Alliance, where she ran Cropsey Farm on Little Tor Road in New City from 2021 until the organization disbanded in November 2024.
Ferreri called the new venture “an exciting opportunity to make a real difference by empowering the community, farmers and fostering sustainable practices. I am committed to supporting the communities that rely on agriculture, and I believe we can create solutions that ensure the future of farming is both resilient and prosperous."
She added: "I am optimistic about the possibilities ahead. By working together, we can drive positive change, strengthen our agricultural roots, and ensure that the next generation has the tools and support they need to thrive."
This contract was awarded following a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process designed to identify a qualified nonprofit organization to oversee agricultural operations, public programming, and educational initiatives at these historic farms.
Cropsey Farm, a 24-acre property at 220 South Little Tor Road, was acquired by Rockland County (61% owner) and the Town of Clarkstown (39% owner) in 2006. The farm features a historic barn, greenhouses, and cultivated fields.
The newly acquired Depew Farm, a 32-acre property at 101 Old Route 304 which includes a historic farmhouse and barn, sheds and farmland was purchased in 2024 by Rockland County. The Town of Clarkstown will be purchasing a 39% share of the property, similar to the partnership which preserved Cropsey.
The Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources will oversee the contract administration to ensure long-term sustainability and community access. Kevin McGuinness, the department’s coordinator, stated that RCFN’s “expertise in sustainable agriculture, education, and community outreach aligns perfectly with our vision for these historic properties.”
County Executive Ed Day said Rockland is committed to protecting and enhancing farmland through its partnership with Clarkstown.
“With Rockland Community Farm Network at the helm, Cropsey and Depew Farms will thrive as educational, agricultural, and environmental resources for our residents, particularly our youth," he said.
Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann called the two farms “a treasured part of our town’s history. I'm pleased to have a new managing entity in place to ensure these historical properties remain an important educational and agricultural resource in our town. We appreciate the County's cooperation and partnership in preserving these properties for future generations."
The Rockland Farm Alliance, a nonprofit founded in 2007 by John McDowell and his wife, Alexandra McDowell, had operated Cropsey Farm since 2010.
A statement in December 2024 from the Farm Alliance's Board of Directors attributed the decision to disband to "financial challenges that have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our nonprofit organization."
At the time, Ferreri said the organization was dissolved by the Board of Directors due to "irreconcilable differences" with the staff.
Email info@rocklandcfn.org for information about the Rockland Community Farm Network.
Robert Brum is a freelance journalist who writes about the Hudson Valley. Contact him and read his work at robertbrum.com.
