When the Kingsbury Farm went up for sale in 2006, several residents
joined to consider the farm's potential to contribute to local
agriculture and the vitality of the Mad River Valley. The committee
first sought input through public meetings, then used this information
to develop a statement reflecting the aspirations of the community. This
statement read: "The Kingsbury Community Farm Initiative's mission is
to facilitate one or more viable farm enterprises and further expand
local agriculture in the Mad River Valley while engaging the community
and providing educational and cultural opportunities that enrich the
lives of Valley residents."
This Kingsbury Community Farm Committee spent nearly a year reaching out
to Valley residents, seeking ideas for the future of the farm and
advising the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) in its purchase and conservation
of the farm. The committee found a farm buyer through a competitive
process. Several applications considered were from private farmers
proposing small-scale vegetable or diversified operations. One was from
the Vermont Foodbank, a nonprofit working to end hunger in Vermont.
Based upon the committee's recommendation and the approval of the Warren
Select Board, VLT ultimately selected the Foodbank to be the next owner
of farm. The Foodbank committed to several conservation objectives
including preserving the farm's prime agricultural soils, protecting the
property's frontage on the Mad River, providing access to the river and
enhancing our Mad River Path system.
The Foodbank's proposal was to provide produce to local food shelves.
The Foodbank also had capacity to purchase, restore and steward the farm
and its buildings, ensuring the farm would contribute to The Valley's
food production well into the future.
Under the banner of the permanent protection of the agricultural,
ecological, recreational and scenic values of the farm, VLT sought grant
funds from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) to
purchase conservation and trail easements on the land. The Warren Select
Board released $100,000 from its Conservation Reserve Fund.
Individuals, businesses and church congregations generously contributed
to the project.
The Vermont Land Trust has purchased easements on more than 600 farms,
including six in The Valley. All but a few of these farms are owned by
families and operated as for-profit enterprises. The investments made by
charitable individuals, municipalities and funders such as Vermont
Housing and Conservation Board ensure that farmland will forever be
available to enterprising farmers who make a living off the land. While
conservation protects the land, the farm owners must bring their own
ingenuity and dedication to farming. The conservation of land does not
subsidize agricultural operations. A farmer must still make their own
investments in machinery, seeds and farm infrastructure.
In this way, those who contributed to the protection of the Kingsbury
Farm can be assured that their investment in this land will forever
serve The Valley. Despite the development pressures we face or growth we
choose, we have made the decision to protect some of the productive
land we need for farming, forestry, recreation and wildlife habitat.
Two years ago, the Kingsbury Farm faced an uncertain future. Today the
farm is bursting with produce, which is landing on the plates of people
who rarely can afford Vermont-grown food. While the Foodbank is
fulfilling its pledge to fill the food shelves, enterprising farmers are
also increasing the bounty of local food available for us all.
Ultimately, this creative combination achieves the community's
aspiration to develop a diverse and vital agricultural economy. By
ensuring the farm will remain available and affordable for generations
to come, Valley residents have guaranteed that the Kingsbury Farm will
thrive alongside other local farms that are essential to our future.
Signed: Kinny Perot, Friends of the Mad River; Robin McDermott, Mad
River Valley Localvore Project; Liza Walker, Vermont Land Trust; Mac
Rood, Warren; Joshua Schwartz, Mad River Valley Planning District.
