The Index


I.	Historical Description
	Research Value of Agricultural Records

II.	Project Description and Methodology

III.	Site and Survey Participants

IV.	Resources

		Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County
		DeBuck's Sod Farm
		Drowned Lands Historical Society
		Farm Workers Community Center
		Orange County Clerk's Office
		Orange County Soil and Conservation District
		Pine Island Chamber of Commerce
		Pine Island Historian
		Pine Island Turf Nursery
		Wallkill Valley Drainage Association
		USDA Farm Service Agency






Historical Description


The black dirt region, originally called "the drowned lands",
consists of the remains of a great shallow lake, which formed
as the last glaciers were melting away 12,000 years ago. As the
ice continued to retreat, the climate warmed and lush vegetation
grew, died, and sank to the bottom of the lake.  Eventually,
most of the lake became swampy, and the decaying organic matter
continued to accumulate in the water to a depth in excess of
twelve feet in places. The shallow lake lay in this valley from
that time until about 100 years ago, when immigrants came to
this area and realized the value of the soil which lay below
what they then called "the drowned lands."

Orange County produces one half the onions grown in New York
State on 5500 acres in the black dirt area.  The main type of
onion grown is the yellow globe, which is a premium cooking
onion.  Black dirt onions have been shipped as far away as
Israel, and also to the northeastern states and southern state
markets.  Once known as the "Onion Capital of the United States",
the black dirt farmers now face competition from areas having
longer growing seasons. Other crops grown in the black dirt
area include lettuce, radishes, cabbage, carrots, corn, pumpkin,
squash, and there are also sod farms.



The Research Value of Agricultural Records


Why should we be interested in identifying and preserving
agricultural records?  They are a means by which our culture
is passed from one generation to the next, and they provide
information from which one generation can learn from its
predecessors. Today, there is more interest in family and
community history, a need to understand one's "roots".  People
can learn much about their ancestors, the first immigrants who
came to Orange County to reclaim the black dirt from the
undrained bogs. Many different ethnic groups were involved
with farming in this area.

Agricultural records are indispensable sources for the work
of historians and other specialists who interpret the past
for present and future use. Many agricultural records have
immediate, practical, everyday uses. They are of use to
government officials, public interest groups, and to business
people. They provide information essential for research into
environmental, health and welfare issues, and farming trends.

Agricultural records can be used in the classroom to help
students better understand the lives of farmers, the machinery
they used, the crops that were planted, the organizations to
which they belonged to protect their interests.  Younger
generations and scholars can use the records to learn about
the culture and their ancestors through the use of such records.

By identifying, collecting and preserving farming records now,
future generations will have a better understanding of farmers'
lives in the present and the past. These records are an
important part of Orange County History as well as New York
State History.


				Gail Myker, Project Director
				Middletown Thrall Library
				July 1998






Project Description and Methodology


The purpose of this project was to identify organizations and
individuals that may have agricultural records relating to the
black dirt region of Orange County.  In order to get a sense of
who might hold these records, an advisory board was created
consisting of individuals that were familiar with and live in the
black dirt region.  These individuals ranged from actual black
dirt farmers to city historians. The advisory board was very
helpful in establishing a starting point for creating a survey
form which could be used as a primary tool for locating records.
A list of thirty participants were identified as possibly holding
black dirt related records, and out of those ten were physically
visited.  Site surveys to the ten chosen participants were
conducted over a four day period and in an interview style. These
ten participants take up the bulk of individuals or institutions
that currently hold identifiable black dirt records. These
records are identified in the following finding aid and described
in detail.

The site visits during this project were conducted by the
consulting archivist and the Pine Island Historian, Frances
Sodrick. The visits were used as an information gathering process
by which a better understanding of the black dirt region and its
records could be gained. The first sets of visits utilized black
dirt farmers to determine which survey participants would actually
hold records. Upon interviewing the farmers it was concluded that
some held records while others did not.  Of the farmers that did
hold records, the records consisted of organizational newsletters,
photographs, scrapbooks, and family related records about farming.
Many of the farmers pointed out that they only kept records that
were required by law until they could be destroyed. Also it was
discovered that many farmers retained a majority of their financial
records in electronic format. Most farmers suggested they would
need time to look through their records before truly knowing what
types of records they held.  It is this Archivist's belief that
with time the farmers and their families would be able to contribute
to a collection of records relating to agriculture in the black
dirt region.

The second set of site visits was conducted by utilizing local and
city historians as the primary participants. Both participants
appeared to have primary as well as secondary sources of
information relating to agriculture in the black dirt region.
One of the more abundant sources of records in this category is
Pine Island Historian Frances Sodrick, also this Project's
Consultant. This historian's collection consists of photographs
dating back to the early twentieth century which document farming
in the black dirt region. Newsletters and articles done in major
magazine publications also make up part of her collection. Other
secondary sources of information also include books which document
the creation of the region from the ice age to today's unique
fertile farmland. Scrapbooks which document the region's
agricultural growth and recent decline are abundant in this
historian's collection. This historian was also a farmer herself
and a major participant in many farm organizations, which adds to
the primary documents found in her collection. Many of the
historian's records include documentation of her own experiences
as a female farmer in an industry that was once primarily male.

The third set of site visits was conducted by utilizing local
farm organizations and cooperative extensions an the primary
participants. These two groups of participants appeared to have
a wealth of information relating to farming in the black dirt
region.  Within this category many formal government agencies
were utilized to determine the historical and archival nature
of each agency's black dirt records. Almost all of the
participants in this category hold records directly relating to
farming in the black dirt region.

Although a written survey had been sent to all thirty
participants for this project, not all participated.  Upon
completing the site surveys listed above a much clearer definition
of who held black dirt agricultural records was established. Also,
by utilizing all participants this resource guide proves to be
unique in that it is the first of its kind to provide a
centralized finding aid for scholars, children, farmers, and
educators not only in Orange County but also throughout New York
State.


		Christopher Gratzel - Project Archivist

		Frances Sodrick - Project Consultant






Site and Survey Participants


The following list of organizations, farmers, historical
societies, and businesses were contacted for the purpose of
creating this resource guide. Participants listed in bold print
make up this finding aid due to the fact that a substantial amount
of both historical and archival material relating to
agriculture in the black dirt region were located at those sites.
It should be noted, however, that other listed survey participants
might also hold similar records but did not participate in the
initial or secondary survey.  An asterisk identifies possible
additional resources.


	Cavallaro Farms *

	Cornell Cooperative Extension

	DeBuck's Sod Farm

	Davandjer Farms

	Drowned Lands Historical Society

	Farmworkers Community Center

	Goshen Public Library & Historical Society *

	Independent Republican

	J&E Produce Growers, Inc.

	Alen Kocot, Jr.

	Peter Laskaris *

	Orange County Clerk's Office

	Orange County Farm Bureau

	Orange County Farmers' Museum *

	Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District

	Orange County Vegetable Improvement Coop.

	Stan Osczepinski Jr.

	Pine Island Chamber of Commerce

	Pine Island Historian

	Pine Island Turf Nursery

	Middletown Times Herald Record

	Wallkill Valley Drainage Association

	Town of Warwick Historical Society

	USDA Farm Service Agency






Resources



Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County
Dillon Drive - Community Campus
Middletown, NY 10940
(914) 343-0664


Open to Public:  No
                 Research by appointment or mail

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County is a
community-based organization linked to Cornell University and
other land grant universities.  This connection enables
educators and volunteers to provide students, agriculturalists,
and farm related organizations with hands-on information based
on current research.  Both public and private resources,
including county, state and federal government; grants; and
private donations provide funding.



Title:           Integrated Pest Management
Quantity:        5 cubic ft.
Inclusive Dates: 1980 - 1994

Scope and Content:  Records include correspondence relating
to pest management within Orange County, including but not
limited to the black dirt region.  Different types of
pesticides are described in terms of their relevance within
different time periods throughout farming history.  Other
major portions of this collection include material on the
Onion Growers Council as well as the Warwick Migrant Workers
Committee.



Title:           Newsletters
Quantity:        3 cubic ft.
Inclusive Dates: 1916 - present

Scope and Content:  Its title, "AGFOCUS," is published
monthly and includes but is not limited to the following
topics:  Gardening, water quality, conservation, field crops,
livestock, education and integrated pest management.  The
newsletter offers individuals, communities, and members of
the agricultural industry current information relating to the
topics described.



Title:           Minutes
Quantity:        5 cubic ft.
Inclusive Dates: 1912 - present

Scope and Content:  Minutes include decisions on how the
cooperative extension should meet both its short and long term
goals.  General minutes include discussions on agriculture,
integrated pest management, education, conservation, livestock
and water quality.  The needs of the agricultural industry
within Orange County are discussed in order to meet both
Cornell's and the community's needs.






DeBuck's Sod Farm
107 DeBuck's Drive
Pine Island, NY 10969
Contact:  Leonard DeBuck


Open to Public:  No

The farm's mission is to be a consistent supplier of high quality
turf grown sod while at the same time utilizing innovative farming
techniques to help conserve the black dirt's natural resources.


Title:           General Correspondence Files
Quantity:        5 cubic ft., (chronological)
Inclusive Dates: c. 1960 - present

Scope and Content:  This collection consists of correspondence on
several river maintenance projects, survey maps, educational
material, equipment catalogs, as well as numerous consultants'
survey records.







Drowned Lands Historical Society
Pine Island Chamber of Commerce
Pine Island Historian
RD #1 Box 10
Pine Island, NY 10969
Contact:  Frances Sodrick
(914) 258-4528


Mrs. Frances Sodrick is the Pine Island Historian, Deputy Historian
for the Town of Warwick, and curator of the Drowned Lands Historical
Society Museum.  She is also an active member of the Orange County
Farm Bureau, Orange County Vegetable Grower's Association, and the
Pine Island Chamber of Commerce.  Mrs. Sodrick holds and maintains
many, if not all, of the records relating to agriculture in the black
dirt region for the organizations listed above.

Open to public:  Yes
                 Research by mail or appointment


Title:           Agriculture Files
Inclusive Dates: 1955 - 1997
Quantity:        4 cubic ft., (chronological)

Scope and Content:  This collection of records contains brochures,
photographs, correspondence, soil and water reports, newsletters,
and farming procedures, all of which are related to agriculture in
the Black Dirt Region.


Title:           Jetport Records
Inclusive Dates: 1961 - 1972
Quantity:        2 cubic ft., (chronological)

Scope and Content:  This collection of records contains letters and
correspondence generated by local farm organizations and sent to
politicians.  These letters and petitions are all against the
building of any proposed jetport.  The collection also includes
scrapbooks documenting the Jetport's proposal and ultimate failure.



Title:           Onion Harvest Festival Records
Inclusive Dates: 1939 - present
Quantity:        2 cubic ft., (chronological)

Scope and Content:  This collection of records contains
correspondence and letters pertaining to the planning of each
Onion Harvest Festival.  It also contains yearbooks, which include
participants, local news, and photographs of the Festival's events.
This event is now held every six years and celebrates the heritage
of the black dirt region's farmers and residents.



Title:           Black Dirt Photograph Collection
Inclusive Dates: c. 1920 - present
Quantity:        3 cubic ft. photographs, (chronological)
                 1 cubic ft. slides, (chronological)

Scope and Content:  The photographs in this collection document
agriculture in the Black Dirt Region.  The slides make up a
presentation done for Cornell University for the National
Onion Research Council and also document agriculture.



Title:           Black Dirt Related Scrapbooks
Inclusive Dates: 1960 - 1970
Quantity:        1 cubic ft., (chronological)

Scope and Content:  These scrapbooks contain among other things
statistical information about farming techniques used by Black
Dirt farmers.  They also contain bulletins, schedules, and
literature pertaining to the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce.



Title:           Black Dirt Related VHS Tapes
Inclusive Dates: c. 1970 - present
Quantity:        3 cubic ft., (chronological)

Scope and Content:  This collection of video recordings
contain documentaries, school-related programs, cultural events,
Chamber of Commerce Meetings, and other various Black Dirt
related film projects.






Farm Workers Community Center
Warwick Area Migrant Committee, Inc.
PO Box 607
Goshen, NY 10924
(914) 651-4272
Contact:  Stash Grajewski, Director


Open to Public:  No
                 Research by appointment or mail

This Community Center serves the migrant workers from Puerto
Rico, Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti, and Central America that farm within
the black dirt region either annually or semi-annually.  Currently,
the Center provides the following services:  Information about
alcohol and drugs through individual group discussions, videos,
pamphlets, posters, and AA meetings; referral to alcohol and drug
treatment with transportation; English as a second language classes.
The center also provides many recreational activities for the
children of migrant workers and offers a social hall for migrant
worker social events.  Health care is also provided to the migrant
workers in the form of both a medical and dental clinic.



Title:           Photograph Collection
Inclusive Dates: 1970 - present
Quantity:        3 cubic ft.

Scope and Content:  These photographs trace the history of the
origination of the Center itself along with many volunteers.
Migrant workers and their families participating in Center
programs, social events, and farming are the main focus of the
collection.






Orange County Clerk's Office
Orange County Government Center
Goshen, NY 10924
(914) 294-5151


Open to Public:  Yes
                 M - F, 9 am to 5 pm

The Orange County Clerk's Office holds many land records relating
to farming in the black dirt region.  The pertinent records are
listed below.


Title:           Maps Relating to Black Dirt Region
Inclusive Dates: c. 1700s - present
Quantity:        Unknown, (chronological)

Scope and Content:  Maps filed with the Orange County Clerk consist
of original numbers, cemetery, subdivisions, patent and atlases.
These maps document actual measurements and surveys of original as
well as subdivided properties of farmers.



Title:           Deeds and Mortgages
Inclusive Dates: 1703 - present
Quantity:        500 vol., (arranged by index)

Scope and Content:  These land records filed with the Orange County
Clerk consist of official property transactions.  Drawings of maps
may be a part of the record.



Title:           Farm Names Register
Inclusive Dates: 1912 - present
Quantity:        vol., (chronological)

Scope and Content:  Farm names registered with the County Clerk.
Each entry includes the name of owner, location of farm, and a
short property description.







Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District
225 Dolson Avenue
Middletown, NY 10940
(914) 343-1873


Open to Public:  Yes
                 M - F, 9 am to 5 pm
                 Research by appointment or mail

Soil and Water Conservation Districts are located in each county
or borough in New York State and are governed locally by a Board
of Directors.  Programs and services provided to farmers within
Orange County include the following:  Water quality management,
seedling programs, stream stabilization, pond services, agricultural
land conservation, erosion control, soils information, and woodland
assistance.



Title:           Cooperative Files
Inclusive Dates: 1960 - present
Quantity;        2 cubic ft., (alphabetical)

Scope and Content:  These files include information on individual
farms in the black dirt region and include its agricultural history,
written conservation requests, and maps.



Title:           Slide Collection
Inclusive Dates: 1960 - present
Quantity:        200, (numerical)

Scope and Content:  This slide collection is composed of photographs
taken by the Soil and Water Conservation district during various
funded projects throughout its history.  The photographs taken
include but are not limited to:  Conservation application including
the placement and type of cover crops; Emergency conservation work,
which includes wind erosion;  Floods including damage and debris;
Irrigation including ditch blocking; Soils including profiles, maps,
surveys, and landscapes, and the general pictures of the muckland.







Pine Island Turf Nursery
Pine Island Turnpike
P1 Turnpike
Pine Island, NY 10969
Contact: Charlie Lane


Open to Public:  No
                 Research by appointment or mail

The Pine Island Turf Nursery, originally a vegetable producer,
decided in the 1970s to diversity and try planting sod in the
black dirt region.  The sod portion of the farm was started with
fifteen acres and as of today it has grown to roughly 900 acres.
It is currently run by second generation sod farmers of the Lane
family and is one of the largest sod producers in Orange County.




Title:           Photograph Collection
Inclusive Dates: 1960s - present
Quantity:        less than 1 cubic ft.

Scope and Content:  This collection consists of general photographs
of farming within the black dirt region.  Pictures within this
collection consist of but are not limited to the following:  Floods,
drainage, farming, crops, family, migrant workers, farm machinery,
and buildings.








Wallkill Valley Drainage Association
RD#1 Box 10
Pine Island, NY 10969
(914) 258-4528
Contact:  Frances Sodrick


Open to Public:  Yes
                 By Appointment Only

The Wallkill Valley Drainage Association addresses the needs of farmers
by attempting to maintain the river's farmland watering qualities.  It
was started roughly forty years ago in order to improve irrigation to
farmers as well as address the long term needs of both the farmers as
well as the citizens of the black dirt region.


Title:           Association Records
Inclusive Dates: c. 1940 - present
Quantity:        3 cubic ft., (chronological)


Scope and Content:  This collection of records consists of photographs,
minutes, as well as detailed correspondence on the association's
political activities.  Both Frances Sodrick as well as Leonard Debuck
holds records relating to the Drainage Association.







USDA Farm Service Agency
Orange County Division			
225 Dolson Avenue
Middletown, NY 10940
(914) 343-1872


Open to Public:  Yes
                 M - F, 9 am to 5 pm
                 Research by appointment or mail

The USDA Farm Service Agency - Orange County Division administers farm
commodity, crop insurance, farm credit and conservation programs for
farmers.  Its programs are primarily directed at agricultural producers
or, in the case of loans, at those with farming experience.  On a local
level, some farmers actually participate in committees, therefore giving
the farmer a say in how Federal programs are applied locally.  Basically,
the program is grassroots based and has continued in that manner since
its inception under an act of Congress in the 1930s.


Title:           Aerial Photographs
Inclusive Dates: 1980 - present
Quantity:        100+

Scope and Content:  These photographs include aerial views of individual
farms located in the black dirt as well as pictures of the entire farming
region.  Additional photographs of the muckland as well as some projects
funded by the agency are available but on a minimum level.


[ END OF REPORT ]