WAC Said Goodbye to Dave Cammer

Audit Report In Good Standing

By Mary A. Crisafulli

WALTON - The Watershed Agricultural Council Executive Board members honored long-time board member Dave Cammer at their meeting on Dec. 19. Cammer, who served for over 25 years, will be retiring from the committee in 2024. As this was his last meeting, many of the board members gave some kind words to send him off.

Board Chair Wayland Gladstone said, "Dave has always been a good person with a lot of advice and always disagreed at the right time to keep everyone on their toes."

"He was a great council," said Fred Huneke, "A lot of times we had extensive discussion and a lot of times we ended on the same page." He added that he hopes the friendship they have developed over the years continues. "I appreciate you and we are going to miss you tremendously on this board," he said.

John Verhoeven said he always appreciated Cammer's opposing position. "You will be missed on the board," he added.

"I really appreciate his input on easements," said Thomas Hutson. He added that Cammer was a great teacher when they were on the finance committee together.

"Volunteering your time for WAC is an incredible burden," said WAC Executive Director Ryan Naatz. "I have learned to gratefully respect taking in the alternative point of view," Naatz added as a lesson learned from Cammer.

Marilyn Wyman said Cammer always drove people to question things at the right moments.

"It has been a delight to engage with you, we always agree to disagree," said Jennifer Grossman.

Karl Gockel said he would not be on the WAC board if it were not for Cammer and thanked him for that.

"I am always impressed by the thoughtfulness of your recommendations," said John Vickers.

The last years with WAC have been an experience, said Cammer. "We certainly came out the back end in a good position," he said, "I feel there are good people here to keep it that way."

In another discussion, the board was presented with an overview of the 2023 audit report conducted by RBT accounting firm. Several board members were very pleased with the report stating the financials have been a mess the last few years and WAC seems to be on track now.

"I think we are in great standing," said Naatz. He added that this is the smoothest audit process he has ever witnessed in his time at WAC.

"WAC has had a very successful year and it's seriously about time," Gladstone said. Gladstone went on to thank everyone who works and volunteers for WAC for sticking together, "It's been a rough few years." He gave special thanks to the financial team guided by Carol Bishop.

Total end-of-year assets were reported at $14,528,112. RBT found no notable changes for the 990 form which is required by the IRS for tax-exempt organizations.

Several individuals were appointed to the Governance Committee for a term from Jan. 1, 2024 until Dec. 31, 2025 including Dwight Bruno, Paul Gallay, Wayland Gladstone, Jason Helmbold, and Fred Huneke.

Kristan Morley reported receipt of 13 applications for the new micro-grant program for vegetable and fruit farmers. The grant program maintains $20,000 for expansion projects up to $5,000 per applicant. Eligible program areas include greenhouse or raised bed expansion, water access, and farm structural additions. East of the Hudson farms will be eligible for grants. Applications will be reviewed over the next month and awarded shortly, reported Morley.

She also reported receipt of four applications for the farms and forest transition reimbursement program. The program awards grants of $5,000 for projects on a rolling basis.

The Pure Catskills membership fee was increased for the first time in 20 years from $35 to $45. The ad space for the program was also increased by $5 and membership will increase by 35 to 50 dollars. The increases will help support the extra demand for membership to grow the Pure Catskills program, said Grossman. Pure Catskills is a local branding campaign seeking to increase support of the local food community.

The group working to determine expansion of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Streamside Acquisition Program (SAP) will submit a new report this month regarding a proposed program outline, reported New York State Department of Health representative Patrik Palmer. "We have several more meetings to go before any issues can be resolved," he added. The report will be available at nyc.gov/site/dep/index.page.

A new group has been developed called the Preventative Purchase Rights Workgroup to work on proposed adjustments to DEP's acquisition programs including easement language, Palmer also reported.

Board members entered an executive session where Naatz said he had several topics to discuss.