Release Date: May 1, 2025

An advocate who has spent the last two decades working to protect the Hudson Valley’s environment and co-founders of a seed company focused on the art, culture and improvement of open-pollinated and organic seed are this year’s William R. Ginsberg Stewardship Award winners. 

Rebecca Martin and Hudson Valley Seed Company co-founders K Greene and Doug Muller will be honored May 17 at the Woodstock Land Conservancy’s 13th annual Vernal Fling.

Locals may know Martin from her work with the Kingston Land Trust, Hudson Riverkeeper, KingstonCitizens.org or Beyond Plastics. She was instrumental in stopping Niagara Bottling’s bid to purchase a significant part of Kingston’s water supply. More recently, she is the project manager for the Leachate Loophole report. She’s a well-respected coalition builder, strategic planner, communicator and collaborator who has made a demonstrable impact in community engagement and environmental protection. Kevin Smith, the Conservancy’s board chair, said, “WLC is deeply impressed and inspired by Rebecca’s organizing and teaching skills, her passion for protecting natural resources, and her leadership in encouraging civic engagement in local communities.”

“I never expected this type of recognition,” Martin said. “It’s especially gratifying to be honored by Woodstock Land Conservancy, an organization that has been an essential partner for more than a decade. It’s never easy to stay the course, but WLC has always been there to stand shoulder to shoulder with us.”

Greene and Muller co-founded Hudson Valley Seed Company in 2009, although the germination for the company began in 2004 in the Gardiner library. Greene was a librarian, and they started a library seed program, the first of its kind in the country. The success of the seed program led to an online catalog followed by the launch of the company, which is now a national player known for heirloom seeds, organic seeds and incredible “art packs” that combine the creativity of local artists with seeds that support native pollinators and grow well in the Hudson Valley. Sustainability and stewardship aren’t just words on a website for Greene and Muller; they are values that drive their company. “That dedication to core values and their commitment to the Hudson Valley are just two of the reasons we are pleased to recognize them as Ginsberg honorees,” WLC Executive Director Andy Mossey explained.

“We are honored to receive the 2025 William R. Ginsberg Stewardship Award,” Greene said. “We’re grateful to be part of a community that recognizes the power of seeds to grow connections, foster agricultural resilience and bring joy to gardeners. This award also honors the many hands that have saved and shared seeds before us.”

The Ginsberg Award is just one of many traditions celebrated at the Vernal Fling, which will be held this year at White Feather Farm. WLC Board President Patty Goodwin said the event itself has become a tradition. “Some call it the unofficial start of the season,” she said. Attendees will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, music, a raffle and an opportunity to participate in a silent auction. “Florals, fun colors and excited energy come together to honor conservation,” Mossey said. “We gather to celebrate the environment and WLC’s dedicated work in protecting it.”

Mossey went on to note that while the event is a central way for community members and supporters of WLC to enjoy the sights and smells of a verdant garden, Vernal Fling is more than just a party. It is also an opportunity for reflection as the Conservancy is able to share its challenges and successes in land acquisition and preservation. “It keeps WLC aligned with our mission and community,” Mossey said, “giving us the chance to share exciting work to come, even in a particularly challenging national environment.”

The Vernal Fling has grown since its inception, making the annual gathering central to WLC’s overall success. “We are a tiny organization,” Goodwin said, “but we like to think we punch way above our weight. That means preserving important wild places, connecting families to the land  and dealing with some of the big issues confronting us, like climate change.” With a staff of four and an all-volunteer Board of Directors, supporters are key. “It takes hard work and significant resources to ‘keep the lights on’,” she said. “The Fling is one way we both ask for support and celebrate all of the great people who give it.”

Tickets for Vernal Fling can be purchased at VernalFling.com or by visiting the Vernal Fling page on the Conservancy’s website. The event will run 3-6 p.m. May 17.