Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino joined Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm and MBIA Foundation on Wednesday to tout its recent public-private partnership as a model for how organizations can deliver important services while reducing costs to taxpayers. 

When the county was facing a $160 million budget shortfall last year, the Astorino Administration met with Friends of Hilltop Hanover to devise a model that would allow the farm to operate successfully with reduced county funding by pursuing alternative revenue sources. The county renewed the farm’s three-year licensing agreement and Friends of Hilltop Hanover put together a business and fundraising plan to ensure the farm’s long-term viability. The plan included establishing a 501 (c)(3) designation, a share program that reached 100 members, and  raising private donations. On Wednesday, they announced a $25,000 grant from MBIA Foundation to support the farm’s deliveries of produce to local food banks and homebound seniors.

“The partnership between Westchester County, Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm and MBIA is a perfect example of how different groups can come together to provide resources to the community, at a reduced cost to taxpayers,” said County Executive Rob Astorino. “As we are faced with difficult budget decisions, these types of public-private partnerships should be used as a model across the county. I commend Hilltop and MBIA on their efforts and look forward to building on these accomplishments.”

Hilltop Hanover Farm is a 187-acre Westchester County owned crop farm and environmental center, located in Yorktown Heights, NY.  The farming production and educational classes are managed by the Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center Inc. in cooperation with the County of Westchester.

Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm President Helen Brady said that in 2010 Hilltop Hanover Farm donated four tons of produce to area food pantries, food banks, soup kitchens and homebound seniors. “This generous grant from MBIA Foundation will allow us to continue and strengthen our commitment to the neediest of our community.”

MBIA is headquartered in Armonk and its foundation is a tax-exempt organization which sponsors projects and programs that enhance the overall quality of life in the communities where MBIA conducts business and where its employees live and work.

“All of us at MBIA are pleased to be able to support Hilltop Hanover Farm. We consider our check more of an investment than a donation, as Hilltop provides much-needed food to Westchester’s hungry while preserving and protecting our watershed for generations to come,” said Willard Hill, Jr., President of the MBIA Foundation.