Mach Farm Remains in the Family

Pawlet. Mach Farm, Inc. Conservation easement sale. 142 acres.

Phil Mach and his daughter, Jodi, have farmed the Mach Farm for many years. Located along scenic Route 30, the farm has high-quality, tillable, river bottomland along the Mettowee River. The farm was originally bought by Phil's parents, who both passed away a few years ago. At the time, it appeared that the land would have to be sold to settle the estate. Working closely with the Castanea Foundation, VLT helped facilitate a critical bridge loan, allowing Phil, and his wife, Kay, to buy the farm on the estate's timeline. Later in the year, VHCB provided funding for the purchase of a conservation easement, which enabled the Machs to repay the bridge loan. In addition to keeping the farm in the family, the purchase of the conservation easement will help make sure that the farm remains in agricultural use and is always affordable to future farmers.

In negotiating this project with VLT, the Machs agreed to enroll part of the land in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), which helps farmers protect environmentally sensitive land. As part of their agreement, they will fence cattle out of the river and promote vegetative buffers along the shoreline. Funded by VHCB (with matching funds from USDA NRCS), the Castanea Foundation, and the John Merck Fund. (January)✦

Smiths Conserve Blossom's Corner Field

Pawlet. Nate and Brenda Smith. Conservation easement sale. 52 acres.

Since they retired from active dairy farming, Nate and Brenda Smith have leased their farm field near Blossom's Corner to Deer Flats Farm, a nearby dairy operation that uses the Smith land for hay. The field has half a mile of Mettowee River frontage, excellent agricultural soils, and is entirely level and open—making the field both highly visible and very desirable to farmers. With extensive road frontage and proximity to the commercial edge of Granville, NY, the land was at risk of residential and commercial development. Funded by VHCB (with matching funds from USDA NRCS), the Castanea Foundation, the Lookout Foundation, and other private foundations. (March)✦

Hulett Family Acquires Farmland, Provides Public Access, and Protects Water Quality

Pawlet. Deer Flats Farm, LLC. Conservation easement sale. 119 acres.

Deer Flat Farms, owned by the Hulett family, is one of the largest farms in the Mettowee Valley. This spring, the Huletts were able to buy and subsequently conserve 119 acres of farmland near their home farm. The property was initially purchased by the Castanea Foundation to get it off the market so that it wouldn't be developed. The foundation leased the land to the Huletts before the family bought the parcel and sold the conservation easement. Because the parcel is largely agricultural, perpetual affordability of the land to the farm community is ensured through the conservation easement.

As part of this project, water quality in the Mettowee River and Wells Brook, which both run through the property, will also be protected. The conservation easement designates a narrow vegetative buffer along the banks that will not be cut or farmed. The easement also allows for recreational access along the river banks. Funded by VHCB (with matching funds from USDA NRCS), the Castanea Foundation, the Lookout Foundation, and other private foundations. (June)✦

VHCB: Vermont Housing and Conservation Board
NRCS: Natural Resources Conservation Service

✦ Denotes conservation easements co-held by VLT, VHCB, and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets.