The farmer who has been leasing our fields for the last 34 years has decided to downsize, and thus this farmland is now available for a new farmer to rent. We welcome proposals from farmers interested in renting our fields, and hope to find a farmer who can start with the 2017 growing season. Ideally the farmer will use state-of-the-art techniques to continually improve the quality of the soils and minimize erosion. Diversity of farm products is encouraged, and conversion to certified organic is preferred. The property is enrolled in Vermont's Current Use program.
The property also contains about 140 acres of forestland that the landowners actively manage; this management will continue. Impact on farming will include occasional use of small areas of fields for log landings. Also, the Stone Trust, a Vermont organization which teaches the art of dry stonewall building, is planning to hold some workshops on the property; it is anticipated that this relationship will continue and potentially grow in future years. At most a few acres of land may be used by the Stone Trust in the future. The land is not posted, so people are free to hike and hunt on it. The local snowmobile club maintains a trail to connect to the VAST network. These other uses should have minimal impact on farming, and would be coordinated with the farmer.
Local market opportunities include Black River Produce, Black River Meats, Springfield Food Coop (all of which are in Springfield, VT) as well as schools, hospitals, farmers’ markets, restaurants and stores in the area.
Interested? Please let the landowners know by March 15, 2017. You are welcome to ask questions and to walk the land. Then prepare and submit a proposal by Apr. 1, 2017, including: 1. How you would like to use the fields (crops, animals, ….)
2. Your experience and resources (convince us that you have the knowledge and resources to succeed with your proposed use)
3. Any infrastructure you might want the landowners to provide
4. Three references (names and phone numbers)
Landowners: Irwin & Melissa Post
1998 Trebo Rd.
Chester, VT 05143
802-875-4102