Agricultural Management Guidelines for the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation; Hanna, Jennifer; Brown, Margie Coffin; von Bieberstein, Alexandra

The primary purpose of this report is to present an approach for integrating best management practices for sustainable agriculture with the preservation of a historically significant cultural landscape within a less than fee-simple land ownership structure. The report is the result of a collaborative effort between the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site staff, the staff of Roxbury Farm, and the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation. The Agricultural Management Guidelines for the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site outlines a strategy to protect resources, to support meaningful visitor experiences, and to help ensure successful farm operations. Within the approximately 285 acres of the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site legislative boundary, only 44.77 acres are held in fee simple by the National Park Service. Roxbury Farm, a biodynamic farm operated as a community supported agricultural facility, currently leases 23.46 acres of this National Park Service owned land for agricultural purposes. Roxbury Farm also owns approximately 171 acres within the park boundary. Of the land owned by Roxbury Farm, 101.89 acres of farmland are protected by a conservation easement currently held by the Open Space Institute, which intends to donate the easement to the National Park Service at a future date. The remaining parcels within the park legislative boundary, totaling about 70 acres, are privately held, except for a one-fourth acre parcel held by the Town of Kinderhook. Within this milieu of land ownership and interests, the guidelines serve as a tool to help park managers perpetuate the historic integrity of Martin Van Buren National Historic Site through support of agricultural pursuits by collaborative organizations, including Roxbury Farm. Recognizing that the goals of historic preservation do not always reconcile easily with the agricultural processes impacted by climate, pests, and market demand, this document integrates best agricultural management practices with national standards for the management of cultural properties. This document has been developed through collaboration by agricultural, nonproﬁt, and cultural resource professionals, who understand that the requirements and expectations of park visitors must be considered when deﬁning the responsibilities of land owners and those engaged in agriculture on public land.

Agricultural Management Guidelines for the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

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