Update (January 12, 2012): Great news! We have met our campaign goal of $80,000 toward conserving the Blue Heron farm in Grand Isle! Thank you to everyone who helped out. We are still accepting donations for project and stewardship costs, if you are interesting in being a part of this effort, please donate online or contact Elise at (802) 262-1206.
CSA Drawing: Thanks to everyone who donated $100 or more in time for the CSA offer. The winners are Jill Williams and Bill Truex! Congratulations!
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Blue Heron Farm has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase and permanently conserve 30 acres of productive farmland in Grand Isle.
The Vermont Land Trust, with assistance from the South Hero Land Trust, is working with Adam Farris and Christine Bourque to secure farmland for their operation on Quaker Road through conservation.
Join Us to Conserve this Farm!The total cost of conserving the 30 acres is $215,000. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board has allocated $132,500 (this includes matching money from the USDA/NRCS). Also, generous donations have been made by a number of Grand Isle residents and friends. The Vermont Land Trust must 80,000 by January 31, 2012 to bring this conservation project to fruition. Donate online now or send a check with "Blue Heron" in the memo line to: Vermont Land Trust For more information, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Vermont Land Trust at: (802) 262-1206. |
Blue Heron Farm is a family producer of certified organic vegetables, eggs, raw milk, and pastured poultry. Adam and Christine began operating Blue Heron Farm in 2004 and have steadily expanded, becoming a beloved part of the Champlain Islands community.
Adam and Christine have a 50-member Community Supported agriculture (CSA) enterprise, market to local restaurants and stores, and sell produce at the Champlain Islands Farmers Markets in Grand Isle and South Hero. They also produce beautiful roving for hand spinning from a small flock of sheep.
Acting on their strong belief that it is important to make organic food affordable, Christine and Adam participate in NOFA's subsidized CSA share and senior share programs. Both programs help people with low incomes afford fresh, organic food. They also donate and sell food at a reduced cost to the "Food for Thought" project, which helps families in Grand Isle County with food during the months kids are out of school.
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Helping Young Farmers Buy Their First Farm
Adam and Christine do not own the land they farm. Recently, one of the two parcels they use went on the market, creating urgency to protect the farm. The Vermont Land Trust stepped in with money from a revolving fund to temporarily acquire one parcel while money could be raised for permanent conservation.
Once this money has been raised, Christine and Adam will be able to buy the land and will sell a conservation easement back to the Vermont Land Trust. This will make the land affordable to Christine and Adam and will make sure that the land will always be available and affordable to future farmers.
The other parcel is owned by Roy Newton. It was the dream of both he and his late wife, Ev Grimes, to bring the land back into active farming use. Since 2004, Roy and Ev have allowed Christine and Adam to use their land.
Adam and Christine will acquire the 14-acre Newton parcel this winter and sell a conservation easement on that land.
The money they receive for conserving these two parcels will help offset the costs of buying the land and finance improvements.
The conservation of this farmland will keep it affordable, not only to Christine and Adam, but also future farmers.
