Event Title: “Our Farms, Our Future” Exhibit Opening Reception

Description: Please join Bethlehem Environmental Commons and American Farmland Trust for the opening reception of “Our Farms, Our Future” an immersive exhibit uplifting stories about the next generation of New York farmers and protecting farmland at Bethlehem Public Library. Light bites and beverages will be provided by American Farmland Trust, and attendees will have an opportunity to view the exhibit and speak with AFT staff and local partners.

Our Farms, Our Future tells the story of New York’s farms in transition, as a third of our state’s farmers are now 65 and older and own two million acres of farmland that will be changing hands in the coming years. This massive shift in land ownership is unprecedented, and the pace of farmland loss is increasing. Across the nation, we lose 2,000 acres of farmland every day to development and other uses that jeopardize farming. American Farmland Trust has worked tirelessly to protect farmland and keep farmers on the land, and we see an urgent opportunity to uplift and preserve the stories of those stewards of the land who choose to protect it and transition their farms to a new generation. The exhibit features poignant images and written stories of farmers who are both exiting and entering the field, capturing this critical moment in time.