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Greenbelt seeks a farmer who shares our vision of sustainable farming to lease Green Meadows Farm on a secure, long-term basis.
Click here to download the full RFP, which includes detailed information about the farm and applicant requirements.
We are seeking applicants whose farming philosophies complement Greenbelt’s strategic objectives, and especially our three primary goals for Green Meadows Farm:
1) Farmland Access & Affordability. Greenbelt has a strong preference to work with farmers who do not currently own or have secure, long-term access to farmland. We anticipate entering into a long-term ground-lease (99 years) with a farmer, allowing the farmer to own and build equity in their infrastructure in support of their agricultural operations.
2) Healthy Ecosystems. Green Meadows Farm has direct frontage on the Ipswich River, and includes floodplain, wetlands, buffer zones and sensitive bank resources, as well as fields with prime agricultural soils. A strong preference will be given to applicants proposing agricultural operations that use organic, regenerative, and/or other sustainable methods that build and improve soil health, and that avoid synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
3) Public Access. Greenbelt is committed to providing public access to open space, and to supporting an engaged, active, conservation-minded community. Green Meadows Farm is located in the heart of a large network of protected open space, which includes an extensive interconnected trail system that is well used by the public.
Given the uncertainties around COVID-19, we cannot schedule them at this point. If you would like to schedule a visit to the farm on your own, please contact us.
QUESTIONS?
Chris LaPointe, Director of Land Conservation, (978) 471-0644 (chris@ecga.org)
RESOURCES:
Information on long-term ground leases:
http://equitytrust.org/category/publications/farm-resources/
Information and assistance with farm business plans, see http://www.thecarrotproject.org/farmer_resources/business_and_financial_planning
Beginning Farm Business Plan from Intervale Center
