The Best of Both Worlds

The Land

Beautiful, historic 275 acre former dairy farm bordered by 100s of acres of protected land yet walking distance to town. Open and forested land, streams, a pond, barns, housing, and a small community of people living here.

This landowner is a

Private non-farming landowner

Quality of land

The majority of the farm's open land is prime agricultural soil, Stockbridge and Georgia loams, mostly gentle slopes ranging from 3% - 15%. One smaller field has seasonal wetness and a few pasture areas have seepage from springs that keep the soil consistently wet in specific areas.

No chemicals or synthetic fertilizers have been applied to the land for over 20 years, though manure from conventional dairies has been applied.

Enrolled in Current Use

Yes

Protected with conservation easement

Conservation easement

Conservation easement details

190 acres of the 275 total are protected under an easement with the Vermont Land Trust. Permitted uses are limited to agricultural and educational activities.

Current forest management plan

Yes

Certified or qualified organic

No

External map links

View Location on Google Maps • View Soil Info on VT Natural Resources Atlas • View Atlas Tutorial

Farm Information

Farmer housing

Yes

Farmer housing details

Small three bedroom house with one car garage, and/or possibly a room or rooms in the main farmhouse.

Water source for farm use

Available

Type of water source

Drilled well, Shallow well or spring reservoir, Pond, River/stream

Water source details

Abundant water available all year round from a spring fed pond, numerous brooks, and several springs. There is water and electricity at the barn complex. The buildings on the property are supplied by either a gravity fed spring system or drilled wells and most fields and pastures are close to brooks, the pond and/or springs.

Farm infrastructure

Barn/farm buildings
Roadways
Electricity/power

Description of farm infrastructure

The farm is situated along a main road with easy access to dowtown Bennington, Williamstown MA and Manchester, VT. The barn complex consists of a 150' x 30' dairy barn, a 40'x40' horse barn, a 70' x 22' extension, and two three-sided sheds with storage above, one 20' x 60' , the other 25' x 15'. These four buildings enclose the 110' x 70' barnyard complex and are supplied with electricity and water. The amount of space in these buildings that would be available to a prospective farmer depends on the proposed business. Housing is available either in a newly renovated 3 bedroom house or a room or rooms in the main farmhouse.

Access to equipment

Available

Equipment details

Ford 4600 tractor and potentially the farm pick up truck.

Tenure Arrangement

Lease

Tenure arrangement details

What we'd offer in terms of housing, acreage, infrastructure and equipment depends on the prospective business, from a few acres to many more. We’d require a 1 or 2 year lease initially to allow time to work together, get to know each other, and build trust. If all goes well we’d offer a long term lease with options down the line for potential ownership in some form. We're currently creating a cooperative so one of our long-term tenants can buy their house with two acres and share in the stewardship, and possibly lease portions of, the 180 acres of conserved land. This option will be open to other tenants in future.

Additional Information

We're seeking folks with a practical vision and plan for a land-based business. From regenerative/biodynamic/permaculture-based perennial or annual crops, medicinal herbs, rotational grazing, or small dairy, to animal training/rescue, value-added foods, traditional folk arts/crafts, or educational activities, much is possible with shared values and the right personal chemistry. We have a sweet little three bedroom farmhouse for rent—one of 7 dwellings on the property, as well as, possibly, a room or rooms in the main farmhouse. You do not need to be a farmer to rent the house, and you don't need to rent the house if you just want to farm, but ideally we'd find someone who wants both.

Supporting files

Soil Map