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The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) is requesting comments from the public regarding its Rural Sustainability Plan, a comprehensive regional plan to sustain and expand food, fiber and forest production and related agricultural economies in The Last Green Valley.
“The Last Green Valley” really says it all. It is a region of rural traditions – the culture, the economy, the built environment and the landscape. Agriculture and its related businesses have tremendous potential in The Last Green Valley because of all the land and water resources that remain. But agriculture has been declining here as it has throughout the northeast U.S. over the past decade.
While The Last Green Valley is the last large tract of predominantly undeveloped land in the coastal sprawl of the eastern seaboard, it is also predicted to be an area of high growth over the next decade. Based on goals in its Vision 2020, A Ten-Year Plan, TLGV decided to develop a strategy to reverse the loss of agriculture and rural traditions while enhancing the economic impact of the land.
A meeting to accept comments will be held at 7 p.m. March 31 at 7:00 p.m. at the TLGV office, 111 Main St., Danielson, CT. Attendees are asked to RSVP by calling 860-774-3300 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
“There is a real consequence to not doing something,” said Charlene Cutler, TLGV’s executive director. “The window of opportunity will close and we will lose our precious land. There will no longer be The Last Green Valley.”
The Rural Sustainability Plan is a comprehensive document that has been developed to identify the myriad factors affecting successful agricultural and related businesses and to foster interactions that will be positive and encouraging. It will synchronize the efforts of partners and TLGV to implement the joint efforts required to achieve the Plan’s vision and optimize the successful expansion of the region’s agricultural economy.
Cutler also noted that, “To the best of our knowledge, there has never been a planning document concerning rural economies that has taken this approach. Our Rural Sustainability Plan considers land and water resources, geographic and demographics, health, education, economic development, agritourism, business profitability and success, government, threats to the foodshed, and a special consideration of forestry.”
The ultimate goal is rural prosperity and sustainability through the responsible use of environmental assets, increased knowledge and creative support for our rural economy. Hundreds of agriculture business owners, town officials and volunteers, agencies, nonprofits and residents have been asked to comment on the TLGV Rural Sustainability Plan. Copies may be accessed from TLGV’s website: www.thelastgreenvalley.org and click on “News and Announcements.” APDF version can be emailed, or a hard copy can be requested by calling 860-774-3300.