Located on the former Rockefeller Estate, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture is a business seeking to make the world a better place. This farm and educational center promotes sustainable and community-supported agriculture and the use of local food. They do wonders for educating the public on how we can make our planet healthier through more mindful farming practices and have inspired countless young farmers to enter the industry. Here are some reasons why our Mount Vernon personal injury law firm appreciate Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture:
The Stones Barn property was once part of Pocantico, a Rockefeller estate. The stone barns were commissioned by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. for use as a dairy farm. In the 1950s, this complex fell into disuse and was used primarily as a storage facility. In the 1970s, the property experienced an agriculture rebirth after David Rockefeller's wife Peggy started a successful cattle breeding operation.
The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture was created by David Rockefeller, his daughter Peggy Dulany, and Rockefeller associate James Ford as a memorial for Peggy Rockefeller, who passed away in 1996. The facility opened to the public in May of 2004.
The Stone Barns Center raises a variety of livestock, including chickens, turkeys, pigs, sheep, and bees. Livestock farmers here make it a priority to raise these animals in a way similar to their evolutionary instincts. For example, the chickens, turkeys, sheep, and geese are raised on pastures with rotational grazing. Sheep and pigs have their bedding packs regularly turned and composted.
Farming at Stone Barns is governed by a principle called agroecology, which is a style of farming that uses resilient and regenerative farming methods in order to grow seasonal food that is appropriate to the region its grown in. These methods include composting and crop and animal rotations, which helps enrich soils and boost their ability to produce nutrient-rich food. This helps create a naturally self-renewing system which does not require the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
The Young Farmers Conference is an event that gathers farmers, chefs, scientists, and activists from across the country to discuss ways to transform our agriculture into a more sustainable system.
The conference had a variety of enriching programs in 2018, such as:
If you're looking for activities to do with your kids, Our Westchester Personal Injury Lawyers Recommend A Trip to the Westchester Children’s Museum.