Stein Brothers Protect Caledonia Farmland
Stein Family Farms is a second-generation dairy farm run by brothers Richard, Peter and James. Thanks to their efforts, 1,048 acres of farmland in Caledonia has been protected forever in partnership with Genesee Valley Conservancy.
The Stein brothers placed three conservation easements on 1,048 acres of farmland in the town of Caledonia, ensuring it remains open and available for agricultural use and will not be threatened by development or division.
“With the pressure of increased urbanization, we would like to make a promise to keep good land in farming.”
Stein Family Farms began with “9 kids, 3 cows, and a few heifers” in 1963, as Hubert and Joyce Stein moved their family to Caledonia. Today, three of their sons own and run the farm which has expanded significantly since those humble beginnings.
Today, the farm is operating on more than 1,700 tillable acres between owned and rented ground, supporting 860 milking Holsteins and 820 heifers. Milk produced by the farm is shipped to the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative.
Just two years after establishing the farm, a fire destroyed everything and the family had to rebuild – not reopening until 1967 – thanks to help of many family and friends. Today, the farm is supporting 17 full time employees. The farm grows corn silage, hay silage, and wheat. Yields are consistently above NYS averages.
This is the brother’s second land protection project, having protected their York farmland with the Conservancy in 2023.
This farmland protection project was made possible by funding from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in the form of a ‘dairy transition’ conservation project. The dairy transition project aims to support protecting farmland as part of an operations shift from one generation of owner to the next. By helping farms bring on their next generation of owners, the program aims to ensure the valuable soil resources that are the foundation of any farm remain protected and available for continued use by the agricultural operation.
In this case, the Stein’s nephew, Michael Phelps is working into ownership and management of the farm. As a part owner, he is taking on more responsibilities on the farm and is bringing his own perspective to farming. New ideas and techniques learned in college are helping him inject concepts into the business that are increasing yields, increasing sustainability, and lowering environmental impacts of the business.
This conservation project involved accepting the 3rd, 4th and 5th conservation easements in the town of Caledonia by the Conservancy and the 128th, 129th, and 130th easements accepted by the organization since its founding in 1990. The total land protected via Genesee Valley Conservancy is now 32,787 acres as the organization continues past the 30,000 acre milestone that was reached last year.
The Stein lands protected by this project include 63% USDA Prime soils.
Lands protected as part of this project include over 4.75 miles of scenic road frontage which will remain as intact vistas of the rural, agricultural landscape, that defines Caledonia’s character and the broader Livingston County.
This project was the result of a collaboration between Genesee Valley Conservancy, Livingston County Board of Supervisors, Livingston County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, Town of Caledoniak and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
To-date, the collaborative effort between Genesee Valley Conservancy and local partners has resulted in nearly $40 million invested in protecting 22,003 acres of some of the State’s most productive agricultural lands, here in the Genesee Valley.
The Town Board of Caledonia unanimously endorsed this project, which aligns with the town’s Comprehensive Plan which promotes “use of conservation easements to preserve [the town’s] rural character and maintain its strong agricultural base.”
Genesee Valley Conservancy works throughout the Genesee River watershed to protect high quality habitat, open space and farmland for the community. The Conservancy now oversees the protection of 32,787 acres.
Landowners in the Genesee River watershed interested in pursuing conservation options for their property, be it farmland, habitat, or a potential public nature preserve, should contact Genesee Valley Conservancy for more information.