Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery visitors and land conservationist Lee Halasz of the Kestrel Land Trust enjoyed a educational stroll down through conserved farmland for the Dairy Month Lecture Series on Sunday, June 10!
In case you missed it, we have this short recap for you:
- The Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program preserves and protects agricultural land, including designated farmland soils, which are a finite natural resource, from being built upon for non-agricultural purposes or used for any activity detrimental to agriculture. It is a voluntary program which offers a non-development alternative to farmers and other owners of agricultural land who are faced with a decision regarding future use and disposition of their farms. The Program purchases the non-agricultural value of the farmland in exchange for a permanent deed restriction which prevents uses and activities that may impact the present or future agricultural use and viability of the property.
- Barstow’s Longview Farm has 123 acres of APR land which was designated in 2014.
- The sale of the development rights allowed Barstow’s Longview Farm to reinvest in the family business and purchase 4 robot milkers.
- The APR program directly helps sustain small family farms and preserves them for generations to come.
- The Barstow’s APR land continues conservation land from Mount Holyoke State Park from mountain to river – creating excellent wildlife habitat, preserving soils, and conserving a rich agricultural heritage.
- Since 2009, Kestrel has spearheaded efforts to see that more farmland throughout the region is protected forever with the creation of the Forever Farmland Initiative. The partnership is a collaboration of land trusts, agricultural support organizations, and local and state agencies working together to increase the pace of farmland conservation in the Connecticut River Valley – and raise public awareness of the critical importance of doing so.
Questions? Barstow’s is honored to be an educational resource for our community. Always feel free to reach out with your dairy and agriculture questions on our Contact Page.