Conserving land supports our local land-based economy while retaining the option for growing our own food and wood products into the future.
Support conservation of 22-acres at 186 East Street, Petersham
East Street and Maple Lane are one of the agricultural hubs in the Town of Petersham. Particularly after crossing the East Branch of the Swift River at Brown Pond and rising up the hill, there’s a stretch of hay and crop fields interspersed by hedgerows along stone walls or stream corridors. Many of these fields are already permanently protected and available for continued farming into the future. For instance, in 2016 EQLT facilitated the Town’s conservation restriction purchase of the former 235-acre Gross family farm.
Across Quaker Lane from the former Gross family farm are two parcels that are part of the Barnes family history in Petersham. The house (now removed) located on East Street was once a tavern welcoming guests as they traveled between Petersham and Barre and beyond. The farm was a traditional homestead with several cows, horses, chickens and vegetable plot. More recently the fields were hayed to provide animal feed and keep the prime agricultural soils open and productive.
Just about ½ of this 25-acre property is wooded and slopes southerly down to Moccasin Brook. The woods are heavy to white pine, reflecting the past agricultural history of cleared pasture for animal grazing along the slopes. There are mixed hardwoods found in pockets along the slopes and brook corridor. Remnants of a dam and mill structure are still visible along the brook.
Last winter EQLT was approached by representatives of the two brothers who own the land with their spouses. “Would EQLT be interested in assisting these families in conserving the land and transitioning to the next owners?” After reviewing the natural values of the land – prime agricultural soils, important waterway, and connection to already preserved lands – the EQLT land committee and board responded with a resounding “Yes!”.
The Commonwealth’s Conservation Partnership grant program agreed that conservation of these acres is important, awarding a reimbursement grant up to $115,250 to EQLT once a conservation restriction is recorded over the bulk of the property. Matching funds are needed to successfully conserve the prime farm soils and areas of biodiversity.
Placing a conservation restriction on the property lowers the purchase price making the land more affordable to farmers. Plus, retaining a building lot allows a farm-family to live on the land to care for the crops and animals that they’ll raise for themselves and for market.
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