Dutchess County’s agricultural industry is a core sector of the local economy by feeding the supply chain, collaborating with other local businesses, and employing thousands of members of our community.
To ensure that this vital industry continues to flourish, the Dutchess County Agricultural Navigator in the Department of Planning and Development links farmers with the necessary support to grow, facilitates new partnerships, and advocates for solutions to agricultural challenges.
Dutchess County Ag Navigator Amanda Bergin spoke with Think Dutchess to break down all the ways she works with our farmers and the role they play in supporting a thriving local economy.
Please start by introducing yourself. What does it mean to be the Dutchess County Ag Navigator, and what drew you to this role?
The Dutchess County Agricultural Navigator is a role focused on connecting farmers, municipalities, economic development specialists, and partner organizations to ensure agriculture remains a strong and visible part of our local economy and community. At its core, the Ag Navigator role is about being the bridge and helping people understand how agriculture fits into land use decisions, economic development, education, and long-term planning.
I was drawn to this role because of my own background in agriculture. I grew up with hands-on agricultural education, worked as a dairy herd manager for 8 years, and gained experience on the business and financial side of agriculture. That combination helped me see how complex, and often fragmented, the agricultural support system can feel for farmers. This role allows me to help make that system more navigable, coordinated, and accessible.
Can you describe the landscape of the agriculture industry in Dutchess County?
Dutchess County has a remarkably diverse agricultural landscape. We're home to dairy, beef, crop and hay operations, equine, vegetable farms, orchards, vineyards, agritourism businesses, and a number of growing value-added and direct-to-consumer enterprises. That diversity is one of our greatest strengths, but it also means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting agriculture here.
We're also in a unique position geographically being close to major markets, population centers, and transportation corridors, while still maintaining significant working farmland. Balancing growth, land use pressures, and farm viability is an ongoing challenge, but it's also where thoughtful planning and collaboration can make a real difference.
How does the Ag Navigator support or engage with the local community?
A large part of my work involves meeting directly with farmers, municipal officials, educators, and partner organizations to understand their needs and priorities. From there, I help connect people to the right resources, clarify policies or programs, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Community engagement also means translating agricultural issues in a way that's accessible, helping non-farm audiences understand why agriculture matters locally, and helping farmers navigate systems that can sometimes feel complicated or disconnected.
How does the Ag Navigator contribute to the broader economic development of Dutchess County?
Agriculture is a foundational economic driver in Dutchess County, and the Ag Navigator helps ensure it is part of broader economic development conversations. That includes supporting business retention and expansion of farms and agribusinesses, identifying gaps in services, and working with economic development partners to better align agricultural needs with existing tools and programs.
By strengthening connections between agriculture and economic development, the role helps reinforce farms not just as land stewards, but as businesses that contribute jobs, local spending, and long-term economic resilience.
Does the Ag Navigator have any programs (or connections to programs) focused on education or workforce development in Dutchess County?
I work closely with schools, extension programs that collaborate with the local community, higher education partners, and agricultural organizations to support agricultural literacy and career awareness, especially for students who may not realize how many career paths exist in agriculture. This includes ag career exposure efforts, helping partners coordinate programming, and exploring ways to better connect students with farms, internships, and hands-on learning opportunities. This work is reflected through the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) education sub-committee, where partners collaborate to identify gaps, align efforts, and strengthen agricultural education pathways across Dutchess County.
How does the Ag Navigator build relationships with local farmers, organizations, and agencies?
Relationship-building starts with listening. I spend a lot of time meeting one-on-one with farmers and partners to understand what's working, where challenges exist, and where efforts overlap. By being a consistent point of contact and following through, trust builds over time. The goal is not to duplicate existing work, but to help align it and make connections that might not otherwise happen. We're also actively working on initiatives that strengthen communication, education, and coordination across the agricultural community. This includes developing clearer, more accessible agricultural resources, supporting farm-friendly municipal practices, and exploring opportunities for convening farmers and partners in more intentional ways.
Does the Ag Navigator have any close relationships or unique partnerships with other businesses or organizations in Dutchess County?
In this role, I work closely with a wide mix of partners because agriculture intersects with so many areas. Much of my collaboration is with Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, Dutchess County Soil and Water, New York Farm Bureau, and county departments involved in land use, planning, and infrastructure. I also spend time building working relationships with municipal officials, especially planners, code enforcement staff, and assessors, since local zoning and regulatory decisions have direct impact on farm operations. A key part of this work is understanding where resources overlap, where gaps exist, and where better coordination can improve outcomes for the agricultural community.
On the education side, I connect with schools and career/technical partners to help strengthen awareness of ag careers and real pathways for students.
What is the current trend or development you’re following that’s shaping the agricultural industry?
One major trend is the increasing intersection between agriculture, land use planning, and community development. As land pressures grow, it's more important than ever that municipalities understand agriculture and that it is considered early in planning and zoning conversations.
Another key trend is the need for clearer pathways for farm businesses to grow, whether that's through diversification, value-added products, or agribusiness expansion, without unnecessary barriers.
How do local infrastructure and transportation systems benefit the agricultural industry in Dutchess?
Dutchess County's location and infrastructure provide farms with strong access to regional markets, consumers, and agritourism opportunities. Proximity to major transportation corridors supports direct sales, distribution, and on-farm businesses that rely on visitor access. The Ag Navigator helps highlight how these assets support agriculture and encourages their consideration in broader planning and economic development discussions.
Does the Ag Navigator tap into local financing/incentives (local, state, federal), local initiatives, or programs?
While the Ag Navigator does not administer funding, the role plays an important part in helping farmers and partners navigate available incentives, programs, and technical assistance. This includes connecting people to appropriate agencies, organizations, or specialists and helping clarify how different programs may fit together. By serving as a point of coordination, the Ag Navigator helps reduce confusion and ensures farmers are better positioned to take advantage of opportunities that already exist.
What advice would you give to another business professional in Dutchess County?
It is essential to ensure that the infrastructure around a business can support its operation and growth. Agriculture is a good example of how interconnected that support needs to be—farms rely on transportation, utilities, land use policies, workforce, and nearby services to function day-to-day. When those pieces work together, businesses are more resilient and better positioned to adapt and grow over time.
What advice would you give to a business looking to move to Dutchess County?
I would encourage business professionals to recognize agriculture as an economic asset, not just land use. Farms and agribusinesses contribute to local jobs, supply chains, tourism, and community identity, and they intersect with many other sectors, from food and beverage to logistics and education. Understanding how agriculture fits into the broader economy can open new opportunities for collaboration and support more resilient, long-term growth in Dutchess County.
What do you see as the biggest opportunities for growth in Dutchess County?
Some of the biggest opportunities lie in strengthening existing businesses, supporting expansion, and improving coordination across sectors. In agriculture specifically, there's strong potential in value-added production, agritourism, education partnerships, and farm-friendly planning practices.
Are there any local causes or initiatives that you’re personally passionate about?
I'm personally passionate about agricultural education and creating clearer, more accessible pathways to information for both farmers and the broader community. Initiatives like Cultivating Dutchess grew out of that interest in improving communication and helping people better understand the role agriculture plays in Dutchess County.
Is there anything else you wish to add?
Agriculture touches many parts of life in Dutchess County. From land use and economic development to education and community identity. The Ag Navigator role is about helping those connections stay strong and intentional, so agriculture continues to be part of local decision-making and long-term planning.
Inspired by the incredible impact of this local business?
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