Agricultural Stewardship Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ASA IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING FARMING FOR THE FUTURE THROUGH LAND PROTECTION, STEWARDSHIP, AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY, AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY'S WORKING FARMS AND FORESTS, CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE LAND, AND PROMOTE A VIBRANT FUTURE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY IN THE REGION. THE ORGANIZATION'S SERVICE AREA COVERS NEW YORK'S RENSSELAER AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES, WITH AROUND 1,300 FARMS CONTRIBUTING APPROXIMATELY 200 MILLION IN PRODUCT SALES ANNUALLY TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
- Income
- $3.5 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 8.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 65%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 137
- Highest pay
- $113,423, executive di
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $2.3 million spent. LAND PROTECTION AND ACQUISITION - THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM WITH A PRIMARY FOCUS OF CONSERVING FARMLAND AND FORESTLAND. IN ADDITION TO DONATED EASEMENTS, THE ORGANIZATION PURCHASES EASEMENTS FROM WILLING LANDOWNERS AND OPERATES PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (PDR) PROGRAMS FOR RENSSELAER AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES. DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTED LANDOWNERS WITH THE CONSERVATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1,508 ACRES ON 7 FARMS. ALL OF THESE PROJECTS WERE FARMS THAT WERE AWARDED STATE FARMLAND PROTECTION FUNDING. BASELINE DOCUMENTATION REPORTS WERE COMPLETED FOR ALL OF THE PROPERTIES THAT WERE CONSERVED. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO ADVANCED ANOTHER 17 EASEMENTS TOTALING 3,927 ACRES, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH HAVE BEEN AWARDED STATE FUNDING. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION OWNS A 140-ACRE FORESTED PROPERTY MANAGED AS A COMMUNITY FOREST FOR RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND RECENTLY PURCHASED A 78-ACRE PROPERTY TO BECOME THEIR SECOND COMMUNITY FOREST. LAND PROTECTION AND ACQUISITION - THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM WITH A PRIMARY FOCUS OF CONSERVING FARMLAND AND FORESTLAND. IN ADDITION TO DONATED EASEMENTS, THE ORGANIZATION PURCHASES EASEMENTS FROM WILLING LANDOWNERS AND OPERATES PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (PDR) PROGRAMS FOR RENSSELAER AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES. DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTED LANDOWNERS WITH THE CONSERVATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1,508 ACRES ON 7 FARMS. ALL OF THESE PROJECTS WERE FARMS THAT WERE AWARDED STATE FARMLAND PROTECTION FUNDING. BASELINE DOCUMENTATION REPORTS WERE COMPLETED FOR ALL OF THE PROPERTIES THAT WERE CONSERVED. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO ADVANCED ANOTHER 17 EASEMENTS TOTALING 3,927 ACRES, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH HAVE BEEN AWARDED STATE FUNDING. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION OWNS A 140-ACRE FORESTED PROPERTY MANAGED AS A COMMUNITY FOREST FOR RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND RECENTLY PURCHASED A 78-ACRE PROPERTY TO BECOME THEIR SECOND COMMUNITY FOREST.
- $157,625 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT CONSERVATION TOOLS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL FARMS AND THE NEED TO PROTECT FARMLAND AND FORESTLAND IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS OUTREACH SESSIONS AND REGULARLY TALKS WITH SERVICE AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS, SCHOOLS, MUNICIPALITIES AND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND CONSERVATION AND WAYS TO KEEP FARMERS ON THE LAND. MANY PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING LANDS AND BENEFITS THEY PROVIDE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONTINUED TO DEVELOP NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN URBAN AREAS OF THE CAPITAL DISTRICT. RECOGNIZING THAT PROTECTING FARMLAND AND FOSTERING FARMING GOES HAND IN HAND, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH OTHERS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO FARMERS. THIS INCLUDED TRAINING FOR FARMERS, FARM MATCH SERVICES, PEER TO PEER MENTORING AND CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND PROTECTION PLANS. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT CONSERVATION TOOLS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL FARMS AND THE NEED TO PROTECT FARMLAND AND FORESTLAND IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS OUTREACH SESSIONS AND REGULARLY TALKS WITH SERVICE AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS, SCHOOLS, MUNICIPALITIES AND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND CONSERVATION AND WAYS TO KEEP FARMERS ON THE LAND. MANY PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING LANDS AND BENEFITS THEY PROVIDE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONTINUED TO DEVELOP NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN URBAN AREAS OF THE CAPITAL DISTRICT. RECOGNIZING THAT PROTECTING FARMLAND AND FOSTERING FARMING GOES HAND IN HAND, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH OTHERS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO FARMERS. THIS INCLUDED TRAINING FOR FARMERS, FARM MATCH SERVICES, PEER TO PEER MENTORING AND CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND PROTECTION PLANS.
- $124,093 spent. EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP AND MANAGEMENT - THE ORGANIZATION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED STEWARDSHIP VISITS TO ALL 172 EXISTING EASEMENTS IN ORDER TO FULFILL ITS ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY TO UPHOLD THE TERMS OF ITS EASEMENTS AND PROTECT THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF THE CONSERVED LAND. THE ORGANIZATION HAS UNDERTAKEN A SERIES OF INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE ITS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, INCLUDING PURCHASING COLLECTIVE EASEMENT DEFENSE INSURANCE (TERRAFIRMA RRG) TO PROTECT ITS ORGANIZATIONAL ASSETS IN CASE OF LITIGATION, HIRING ADDITIONAL STEWARDSHIP STAFF FOR ADDED CAPACITY, AND INCORPORATING MORE TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVED EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS WITH STEWARDSHIP TASKS. THE ORGANIZATION RESPONDED TO MANY LANDOWNER QUESTIONS AND PERMISSION REQUESTS REGARDING THEIR EASEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO COMMUNICATE WITH LANDOWNERS OF EASEMENT PROTECTED LAND AND ACTIVELY MEETS WITH NEW OWNERS TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP AND DISCUSS THE EASEMENTS. AS PART OF ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OWNERS OF CONSERVED LANDS, IT SPONSORED SEVERAL LANDOWNER WORKSHOPS THIS YEAR ON TOPICS SUCH AS SOIL HEALTH, REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE, AND CHAIN SAW SAFETY. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION IN 2013, RECEIVED ACCREDITATION RENEWAL IN 2019 AND 2024. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ITS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM BY PARTICIPATING IN MEETINGS WITH LAND TRUSTS IN THE REGION AND ATTENDS TRAINING SESSIONS ON STEWARDSHIP AND EASEMENT MANAGEMENT ISSUES. EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP AND MANAGEMENT - THE ORGANIZATION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED STEWARDSHIP VISITS TO ALL 172 EXISTING EASEMENTS IN ORDER TO FULFILL ITS ONGOING RESPONSIBILITY TO UPHOLD THE TERMS OF ITS EASEMENTS AND PROTECT THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF THE CONSERVED LAND. THE ORGANIZATION HAS UNDERTAKEN A SERIES OF INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE ITS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, INCLUDING PURCHASING COLLECTIVE EASEMENT DEFENSE INSURANCE (TERRAFIRMA RRG) TO PROTECT ITS ORGANIZATIONAL ASSETS IN CASE OF LITIGATION, HIRING ADDITIONAL STEWARDSHIP STAFF FOR ADDED CAPACITY, AND INCORPORATING MORE TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVED EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS WITH STEWARDSHIP TASKS. THE ORGANIZATION RESPONDED TO MANY LANDOWNER QUESTIONS AND PERMISSION REQUESTS REGARDING THEIR EASEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO COMMUNICATE WITH LANDOWNERS OF EASEMENT PROTECTED LAND AND ACTIVELY MEETS WITH NEW OWNERS TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP AND DISCUSS THE EASEMENTS. AS PART OF ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OWNERS OF CONSERVED LANDS, IT SPONSORED SEVERAL LANDOWNER WORKSHOPS THIS YEAR ON TOPICS SUCH AS SOIL HEALTH, REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE, AND CHAIN SAW SAFETY. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION IN 2013, RECEIVED ACCREDITATION RENEWAL IN 2019 AND 2024. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ITS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM BY PARTICIPATING IN MEETINGS WITH LAND TRUSTS IN THE REGION AND ATTENDS TRAINING SESSIONS ON STEWARDSHIP AND EASEMENT MANAGEMENT ISSUES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2026.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.