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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 30, 2008 | |||
| Protecting Benson’s Agricultural Economy Farm and farm-related sectors are responsible for 17 percent of gross state product, and in agriculturally rich towns such as Benson the impact is greatest. This year, members of two Benson farming families—the Nobles and the Charrons—chose to protect 340 acres of fertile farmland, the Vermont Land Trust announced today. “If Vermont agriculture is to be sustainable, young farmers must have access to land,” said Donald Campbell of the Vermont Land Trust. “Yet, most farmers starting out today cannot afford to pay for non-conserved farmland. The purchase of development rights is often essential to making the farm affordable to both new farmers and the next generation.”
Eight Generations at Bicentennial Farm This summer, Jeff and his mother, Martha, made the decision to conserve the historic and productive farm by selling a conservation easement on 142 acres to the Vermont Land Trust with funding from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. A conservation easement is a legal tool that ensures that the farm will not be subdivided or developed. Proceeds from the easement sale facilitated the transfer of the farm from Martha to Jeff. Jeff has a multi-generation way of thinking about his family’s land: “It is like my dad said about the farm: ‘You don’t own a darn thing; you’re just taking care of it for the next guy.’” The Nobles milk between 35 and 50 Holstein cows, and Jeff leases 87 acres of additional cropland. The farmstead and surrounding 50 acres have relatively dry, rich soils, with rock outcroppings typical of Benson. The upper portion of the farm, looking over the Route 22A corridor, is the most susceptible to development because it is dry and has grand views over the valley.
Keeping High-quality Agricultural Soil in Production Tim hopes his sons, Scott and TG, will eventually inherit the land. Scott is quite interested in farming and has begun a small beef operation. Because the land has a series of large, highly workable fields, it could support many different types of agricultural operations. Currently Tim produces hay on the land, serving nine different farms throughout the year. “The farm is part of my living and part of my life,” said Tim. “I’m going to work it until I just can’t do it anymore. And I definitely would not want to see the land growing houses.” The Charron family has a strong history of conservation. Years ago Tim’s family conserved their home farm in West Haven and recently his brothers, John and Lee, conserved additional agricultural acreage in West Haven and New Haven. About the Vermont Land Trust
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Originally established by Captain James Noble in 1785, the Noble Farm has been in Jeff Noble’s family for eight generations. His son, Jake, could become the ninth. At age 17, Jake works half-time on the farm and speaks openly about his hope that he will help keep the Noble family farm going after his dad retires.