Under the Thousand Island Land Trust’s

management, Zenda Farms Preserve is a

celebration of open space and Clayton’s rich

agricultural heritage. Formerly a state-of-the-

art dairy and beef farm, Zenda Farms is making

strides toward becoming a model for sustainable

agriculture and an environmental education

center. This partnership with Coyote Moon

Vineyards is emblematic of Zenda’s commitment

to showcase responsible agricultural practices

and land stewardship. A portion of the proceeds

from the sale of this wine will go directly back

into Zenda’s continued conservation work and

educational programming.

100% Marquette GrapesZENDA FARMS RED

NEW YORK STATE WINERY OF THE YEAR

Aged in Oak Barrels

ZENDA FARMSZenda was a dairy and beef farm that operated through the 1960s. Now, its agricultural history is preserved for future generations to discover and its pastures and hay meadows are conserved for nesting grassland birds.

Northern New York hosts some of the highest quality habitat for grassland birds in the northeastern United States. Many of these species are in serious decline in eastern North America, so keeping the meadows open is an integral part of Zenda’s management plan.

In 1915, the property, now known as Zenda Farms, was purchased by James Hackett, a Canadian-American actor with a strong connection to the River. Formerly known as the Woodlands, Mr. Hackett gave the property its new name, Zenda, after his 1913 film The Prisoner of Zenda.

In 1939, Merle Youngs purchased the property. Mr. Youngs, an entrepreneur who owned the Youngs Rubber Company, slowly acquired neighboring farms and created a large state-of-the-art dairy and beef farm. He implemented new management techniques and new equipment: this was the site of the first automatic bottling plant in the region. In many ways, Zenda Farms was Mr. Youngs’ gift to the local and agricultural communities--providing fresh milk for a fraction of the cost to make it, creating numerous local jobs, and providing a place to test out new agricultural practices and techniques.

Today, under the ownership of the Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) Zenda is now the home of the annual Community Picnic at the beginning of the summer season, as well as numerous TILTreks, KidsTreks and often, TILTKids Camp. A local farmer grazes cows on the pastures and cuts the hay from the meadows. The mowing takes place after August 1st to allow nesting grassland birds to fledge their young. Zenda Farms is also home to the LoisJean and John MacFarlane Trail and the Zenda Community Garden. The 1.35 mile long trail runs along the perimeter of the meadows and is best for jogging, hiking, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing and taking your four-legged friend for a walk. The Zenda Community Garden provides fresh, locally grown produce for participating families. Gardeners select plants, prepare the garden, weed and harvest, and then take home a share of the produce.

TILT's management plan for the future of Zenda Farms is to establish the Preserve as a model for land conservation through community involvement and learning within its ecologically diverse and culturally historic farm setting.

As a part of this management plan, TILT is forming partnerships with local producers who practice responsible and sustainable agriculture. As longtime supporters of TILT, Coyote Moon Vineyards recognized the potential in Zenda Farms and has partnered with TILT to establish a model vineyard at Zenda and to produce two “Zenda Farms” wines that directly benefit programming at the Preserve. TILT intends to continue to build partnerships with local businesses and organizations similar to this one, to help grow our local economy, and provide programming and activity at Zenda for all to enjoy.

Building partnerships like this with local producers, businesses, and organizations will strengthen community development, and provide new programming and educational opportunities at Zenda Farms. TILT plans to continue building partnerships like this to ensure that Zenda Comes Alive! For more information on Zenda Farms Preserve check out: www.tilandtrust.org.

NEW YORK STATE WINERY OF THE YEAR