Roberta “Bobbie” Lukasiewicz is a long-term Glenmont resident and veteran with a strong personal interest in farming, land preservation, nutrition, conservation, and sustainability.  While serving on the committee, Bobbie is interested in advocating for veterans needs and applying her experience in analysis, project management, and communications.

Stuart Lyman is a retired veterinarian and business owner, and longtime resident who has been farming in Town since 1980.  He currently raises livestock, grows cash crops and is an active member of several agricultural organizations.  Stuart has been a 4H leader for over 20 years, is a past president of the Altamont Fair, and is a founding member of the town’s Conservation Easement Review Board. 

Zan McKenna has spent most of her career farming commercially on small-scale, sustainably-focused operations. With a degree in Sustainability Studies, Zan has a special interest in the stabilization of local food systems, empowering the communities within them and is looking forward helping to engage the Bethlehem community in strengthening our local food system.  Zan is the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Education Coordinator for Eastern, New York and a member of the Upper Hudson Valley Chapter of the National Young Farmers Coalition. 

Dale Richter grew up on farm in town and has strong ties to the rural life and community character that makes Bethlehem so wonderful.  A 25-year member of the Selkirk Fire Department and active community member, he looks forward to helping the Town identify potential future uses for the property.

Gabby Sant’Angelo has always had an interest in agricultural land and historic structures.  She is the Executive Director of the Pine Hollow Arboretum in Slingerlands, and a founding member of New York Urban Orchards.  Combining her interests and professional experience in land stewardship, agriculture, and community education and engagement, Gabby is excited to assist the Town with the exploration of agri-tourism opportunities. 

Tom Seymour grew up on his family’s farm in Delmar and previously was an active member of the Albany County 4-H Dairy Club. He has degrees in Agronomy and Animal Science and is a former farmer, Cornell Cooperative Extension Ag Agent, and agricultural financing lender and real estate agent.   He now works in the emerging field of agri-voltaic energy development.

David Vigoda has over 40 years of financial planning experience and a strong interest in farmland conservation. He has previously provided business planning support for both agricultural organizations and individual farmers in the Northeast. 

Mark Warford is excited to be involved in a project that has so much potential for local farmers, food producers and the greater Bethlehem community. He has worked for many years to promote sustainable farming, environmental awareness, and to support the local agricultural economy in his roles as Vice Principal of the Bethlehem Central Middle School and President of the Delmar Farmers Market.

Kristen Yourno is a local Spanish teacher and resident of the Slingerlands Historic District.  Having been born and raised on her family’s dairy farm, (which is still in active operation) outside of Cooperstown, she has a special interest in helping to preserve green space, history, and farming in Bethlehem. 

Staff:

Lauren Axford is the Open Space Coordinator for the Town’s Farms and Forests Conservation Program. Lauren has degrees in Farm Management and Agro-environmental Science and has 20 years of experience in agriculture, natural resource conservation and nonprofit management.