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From the indigenous people who first settled this part of the country to the present day, Essex County has a long agricultural history. Farms are still a vibrant and important part of our social fabric, our economy, and our food needs.
Greenbelt has worked since our earliest days to keep Essex County’s farms intact. To date, Greenbelt has partnered with over 50 farm families, preserving more than 1,000 acres of working farmland.
Our Farms, Our Future seeks to support the long-term viability of Essex County’s farms not just through conserving land, but through:
Threats to Essex County Farms
From climate change to farmland affordability, our region’s farmers face unprecedented threats to their livelihood and their ability to pass on their farmland to the next generation of farmers.
American Farmlands Trust’s Farms Under Threat Special Report: A New England Perspective describes the most pressing issues facing farmland preservation in New England – including Essex County.
Farmland conservation can create affordable farmland.
Keeping land in farmer ownership helps ensure long-term farm success.
Greenbelt owns, manages and lets farmers grow on about 250 acres of farmland.
Greenbelt has protected more than 50 farms, preserving more than 1,000 acres of working farmland.
Many organizations work to get more farmers on more land in New England through providing assistance with all aspects of farmland acquisition, succession planning, and business viability.
By supporting local farms, you are eating the freshest possible produce, meat, and eggs, reducing the use of fossil fuels used to transport food from far away, and keeping your dollars invested in your local community.
