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Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES has signed a three-year lease and will launch a culinary program in September at the farm, now known as the Tilly Foster Educational Institute.
BOCES signed the agreement with Putnam County to occupy space at the renovated facility, effective immediately. BOCES will begin accessing the lodge (Building No. 8) to set up the kitchen facilities and classroom space ahead of the September start date.
“Through this partnership, we are putting an underused county asset to work in multiple ways. Rental income will serve to offset the costs of maintaining and preserving this beautiful historical property," said Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell in making the announcement.
There will be future BOCES programs in environmental and veterinary science, she said.
Following a walk-through of the facility in July, “Everyone was tremendously impressed with all that had been accomplished since the walk through just a month ago,” said Cathy Balestrieri, BOCES Tech Center director.
“All of the effort put forth by Putnam County in readying the facility for Tech Center students in September was clearly evident. The attention to detail, the marrying of function and aesthetics were impressive and went beyond expectations. The Tech Center culinary program at Tilly Foster Educational Institute will be delivered in a state-of-the-art facility. Putnam County is to be recognized and congratulated in moving forward this exciting, new collaboration.”
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