Successful local business owner focused on Green and Sustainable business development for more than a decade; succesful lines of business include:

• With wife Debra operates one of New York State's longest-established elk farms; for more than a decade, the Armstrongs have maintained their herds of prize-winning elk on their family farm in the Town of Durham Hamlet of Cornwallville
• Natural/Organic Health Products
• Taxidermy business focused on supporting outdoor sports tourism and Sustainable wildlands management

Armstrong's
Elk Farm
 
Photo Credit:
Les Armstrong

Environmental Conservation & Economic Development

• Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. (HMRC&D) Board Member since 1997 and Vice President since 2007; Les has been with the organization for more than ten years. The HMRC&D is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that promotes regional, economic and natural resource conservation development in six Upstate New York counties and is currently involved in a livestock processing initiative helping small farmers overcome the challenges of getting their livestock processed; a venison donation program; a farm to school program; the education of livestock and horse owners on grazing land conservation; increasing rural fire protection; and exploring alternative energy and bio-fuel resources. Past projects have included the installation of dry hydrants, promoting pastured poultry, and the development of the Hudson River Lighthouse Coalition which seeks to connect tourism, historical and lighthouse trails, educational interpretive centers and materials to promote, protect, restore and preserve the lighthouses of the Hudson River. The Hudson Mohawk RC&D is one of 375 RC&D areas across the country that was created by a provision of the 87th Congress' Federal Food and Agriculture Act of 1962 under Public Law 87-703. Technical and financial support for projects comes from a variety of public and private sources including funding from the United States Department of Agriculture administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Les is co-chairman of the Forestry and Wildlife Committee for HMRC&D; was instrumental in establishing the Venison Donation Coalition which provides food to homeless shelters and food pantries statewide, including three food pantries in Greene County; and serves on the Rural Fire Protection Committee which presented the first ever International Standards Organization (ISO) series of Fire Company trainings on improving ISO Ratings, saving Greene County's homeowners significant percentages on their homeowner's insurance with followup meetings scheduled for Fall 2009. Les was appointed to the HMRC&D by Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District, and in 1999 Les received the Agricultural Accomplishment Award  for "dedication and effort to develop and promote alternative agriculture in Greene County."
• Through his work with the HMRC&D, Les has helped farmers start farms in Schoharie, Delaware, Montgomery, Chenango, and Oneida Counties and throughout Greene County
• On June 5, 2009, Les was named Adviser to the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cooperative Extension Small Farms Program Team whose mission is to foster the sustainability of diverse, thriving small farms that contribute to food security, healthy rural communities, and the environment by encouraging small farms-focused research and extension programs and fostering collaboration in support of small farms
• Northeast Deer and Elk Farmer Association; Member since 1997 and ex officio Board Member
• New York Farm Bureau; member since 1996 and active on legislative issues including Livestock Health as well as issues benefiting New York State Wine Producers, Apple Producers, Dairy Farmers, Maple Producers, and Livestock Farmers
• New York Federation of RC&Ds Venison Donation Coalition Founding Committee Member; committee tasked with establishing program whereby deer hunters and farmers can donate venison to be processed and distributed to help feed those in need throughout New York State. Because donated deer must be professionally processed, the New York Federation of RC&Ds, in partnership with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Venison Donation Coalition created a program where legally harvested and properly field-dressed deer can be taken to participating processors at no cost to the hunter or farmer. Custom processors are recruited to participate and paid to process the donated deer. The venison is processed and packaged according to the Environmental Conservation Law. This highly nutritious meat is picked up by Food Banks for delivery to soup kitchens, food pantries, and needy families throughout New York. Since 1999, over 400,000 pounds of venison has been donated in New York State representing approximately 1.6 million meals.
• National Farmers' Union Livestock Committee Chair
• Durham Agricultural Leadership Team Co-Chair with Michael Boyle
• Durham Agriculture Community Partnership Member
  
• Greene County Sportsmen's Federation Member active with stream stocking and replenishment, purchase of pheasants, organizing youth activities and volunteer outreach programming

NYS DEC Official tagging bear cubs found in Greene County, 2009

Photo Credit:
Les Armstrong

Youth Programming

• With Boy Scouts of America, planned and implemented Summer Programs including whitewater rafting, canoeing excursions, and wilderness hikes

Education

• Serves on Task Force for Green/Sustainable Power for the Cairo-Durham School District

Durham Arch: Photo from Task Force Structural Analysis Activities for Community Safety and Historic Preservation