Brian Caldwell of Hemlock Grove Farm in Danby, New York, is a former Cooperative Extension Educator and a retired research support specialist in the Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab at Cornell.

As an organic farmer for over 40 years, he finds that organic farming is a fulfilling way to work with the gifts of nature, while being part of a larger, supportive local community. At Hemlock Grove Farm, Brian maintains perennial vegetative cover throughout his orchard of apples, chestnuts, and hazelnuts, which protects and improves soil health and reduces the need for fertilizer and pest control.

This year, he has three unavoidable flights and chose to offset the emissions by contributing to the Finger Lakes Climate Fund. Compared with other offset programs, he believes the Climate Fund more directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The Finger Lakes Climate Fund uses offset dollars to fund energy efficiency upgrades in local homes. Through the program, Sustainable Finger Lakes ensures that both the grants and the contractors performing the work contribute to the regional economy.