Silver Haven Farms Joins Growing Block of Protected Farmland in Wyoming County
Silver Haven Farms, a fifth-generation dairy operation in Wyoming County, has completed a farmland protection project in partnership with Genesee Valley Conservancy, placing four conservation easements on 624 acres in the Towns of Castile and Perry. These easements permanently ensure the land remains available for farming, removing the threat of residential, recreational, and commercial development from some of Wyoming County's most productive soils.
The Farm Itself
Silver Haven Farms has been a working dairy in the Richards family since 1930, starting with just five cows. Five generations later, Emily and Garrett Peters are now running the family operation alongside Emily’s parents, Mary and Todd Richards, and her brother Andrew. Now with over 650 head of Jersey and Holstein cows, Silver Haven Farms ships approximately 17 million pounds of raw milk to Upstate Milk Cooperative each year. Recently, they have begun raising beef for local markets, including their own agribusiness venture, Country Belle Farm Market.
Located in downtown Perry, Country Belle Farm Market opened its doors in March 2025 as an extension of the roadside farmstand they’ve operated on Abbott Road for many years. Recognizing and sharing the value of fresh, local products, the storefront and café sources directly from their farm, along with many other local producers across Western New York. They carry farm-raised beef, pork, and chicken; dairy products; fresh produce and eggs; and local staples like honey, maple syrup, and bread. Nearly 100 years later, Silver Haven Farms is still feeding the community they planted their roots in.
“As a fifth-generation family dairy farm, placing our land into protection with Genesee Valley Conservancy ensures the land will remain agricultural and preserve a lifestyle we are proud of. We are so grateful for the lasting impact for our family and community for many generations to come,” said Emily Peters.
A Contiguous Block of Protected Land
The protection of Silver Haven Farms builds on 562 acres of conserved farmland with neighboring Silver Meadows Farm, along with hundreds of acres in the surrounding area, including True Farms, Old Acres Farm, and Marquart Brothers Farm.
"Growing up in Wyoming County, it's exciting to see so much momentum building around farmland protection here, especially in Perry and Castile. More and more family farms are committed to guaranteeing the land they have spent their lives stewarding will be available for the next generations of producers," said Taylor Wilkie, Land Conservationist with Genesee Valley Conservancy.
Silver Haven Farms, in conjunction with Silver Meadows Farm, now interconnects nearly 1,200 acres of protected farmland with 836 acres of publicly accessible open space and forestland at Silver Lake State Park. Together, they form a contiguous block of roughly 2,000 acres of conserved land that will remain intact despite looming threats of conversion to residential, recreational, or renewable energy uses. With more projects on the horizon along the western side of Silver Lake, this swath of protected land will forever sustain the lush, scenic beauty that Wyoming County is best known for.
Map showing Silver Haven Farms and other protected lands in the area. Genesee Valley Conservancy
Protecting Silver Lake and the Broader Watershed
Beyond its recreational assets, Silver Lake also serves as a drinking water source for three townships, making the conservation of Silver Haven Farms especially relevant to the protection of local water quality. Much of their farmland is positioned above the lake, allowing its soils to capture and absorb major rainfall before it reaches the water below.
In addition to mitigating the potential harms development could pose to water quality, Silver Haven Farms has taken steps to prioritize soil health and further reduce the risk of water contamination.
In 2021, the landowners invested in a manure storage facility, which enables them to inject their manure into the soil, rather than spreading it on top of their fields. Not only does this prevent the risk of runoff during rainy seasons, but it also decreases the need for additional chemical fertilizers. The farm has also adopted practices like minimal-till zone building, double cropping, and cover cropping, which prevent soil compaction and allow for improved drainage and filtration into underground aquifers.
Together, these advancements are protecting Silver Lake from the nutrient runoff and leaching that can contribute to the presence of harmful algal blooms.
Farmland Protection in the Genesee Valley
This project was made possible through New York State's Farmland Protection Implementation Grants, part of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, in collaboration with Wyoming County and its Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board.
To date, Genesee Valley Conservancy's farmland protection efforts have resulted in over $58 million invested in protecting more than 30,000+ acres across the Genesee Valley. The Conservancy now oversees the protection of 41,502 acres throughout the Genesee River watershed.
Landowners in the Genesee River watershed interested in exploring conservation options for their property — whether farmland, habitat, or a potential public nature preserve — are encouraged to reach out to the Conservancy for more information.
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Genesee Valley Conservancy is a nationally accredited non-profit conservation organization working to protect the habitat, open space and farmland in the Genesee River watershed. Over 41,502 acres of natural habitat and productive farm and forest land have been conserved by Genesee Valley Conservancy in partnership with private landowners. The organization also owns nature preserves open to the public for recreation and education. For more information visit www.geneseevalleyconservancy.org