Courtesy Saratoga PLAN
Saratoga PLAN has conserved the Drumm Farm, 170 acres of farmland in the Town of Saratoga.
The land is now permanently protected from development and will forever be accessible for agricultural use. The process was completed in November. Partial funding for the project was provided by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.
The property, located near the Saratoga Monument and Victory Woods, is owned by Ruth Drumm. Saratoga PLAN said it consists of primarily fertile soils for farming, as well as some forests and wetlands that provide wildlife habitat.
“It was my husband’s wish to protect this land and I have finally succeeded in doing it,” said Drumm. “I love the farm, I love farm life. A conservation easement is the only way to see that the land stays this way.”
Ruth and Fritz Drumm both grew up on dairy farms.
“It was in our blood,” she said. Together, they purchased the Drumm Farm in the Town of Saratoga in 1979. Over the years they doubled it in size, adding adjoining parcels to their property. “We just loved the location. It’s country living.”
Saratoga PLAN called the permanent protection of the Drumm Farm is also “the quintessential local business success story.” Drumm rents the farmland to Koval Bros. Dairy, which grows hay and field crops on the property in support of their regional dairy operation, which supplies Stewart’s Shops with fresh local milk.
Drumm Farm is one of nine farmland protection projects Saratoga PLAN worked on in 2020.