NHFFF Project Descriptions:

Since 2020, $352,000 has been distributed to 18 farms, in partnership with 8 NH Land Trusts conserving 1,790 acres, in 7 counties!

 

Blue Moon Berry Farm, Warner NH 

In 2022, Five River Conservation Trust proposes to purchase at bargain sale a conservation easement from Jan Gugliotti and Barbara Dieckman on 104 acres fo farm and forest land in Warner, NH.  This NH Farm Futures grant will allow the owners of the Farm  to create and intergenerational transition plan, investigate options to mitigate the effects of climate change on their business and explore options for bringing on additional farm help.         

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Clyde Farm, Farmington NH 

In 2020, Southeast Land Trust of NH (SELT) purchased a permanent conservation easement on the 135-acre Carlsen Farm. In conjunction with SELT’s purchase, the owners of Clyde Farm LLC have negotiated a farm lease on the property with option to buy. Once conserved, their purchase would offer them their first chance at farm ownership. SELT will use $10,000 to cover transactional costs of the easement, while Clyde Farm will use $10,000 to complete an Enterprise Analysis for the new property, as well as obtain legal assistance to help navigate the easement negotiation and other business planning.

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Five Sigma Farm, Sullivan NH

In 2023, the Monadnock Conservancy was awarded grant funds to assist with transaction costs associated with the permanent protection of 55 acres of farmland at Five Sigma Farm in Sullivan, NH. Funds will also be utilized for technical assistance and to cover costs related to survey work, the appraisal, and Conservancy Staff time. The technical assistance funds will likely be used to cover the farmer’s legal fees to review the conservation easement and transaction documents, to address business and financial planning needs and to assist in developing land lease agreements for grazing lands as available funding allows.

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Horizon Farm, Bennington NH

In 2023, the Monadnock Conservancy will utilize grant funds to assist with transaction costs associated with the permanent protection of 55 acres of farmland at Horizon Farm in Bennington, NH. The organization will utilize grant funds for technical assistance and to cover Conservancy costs related to the appraisal expense and the stewardship fund contribution. The technical assistance funds will likely be used to cover the Horizon Farm’s legal fees associated with the project and to address business and financial related planning and implementation needs.

 

Huckins Farm, New Hampton NH

In 2021, the Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT) will purchase a conservation easement on 132 acres of the Huckins Farm. The Huckins Farm is a small dairy operation that sells its milk, cheese and yogurt directly to the consumer through its farm stand as well as through retail stores state-wide. It will use NH Farm Future funds to develop business practices, conduct farm succession planning, and enhance its social media /web presence and marketing.

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Jalco Farm, Haverhill NH

In 2023, the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) will utilize grant funds to protect Jalco Farm, an idyllic mix of 181 acres farm and forestland in Haverhill, NH. A conservation easement, in the form of an NRCS ALE, will be purchased utilizing funds from UVLT’s NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Grant funds will aid in covering a portion of the costs for the project and will be utilized by Jalco Farm to seek legal assistance with will and estate planning and easement review, as well as tax and financial planning support.

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Maple Leaf Farm, Lyme NH 

In 2021, Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) will protect 42 acres of Maple Leaf Farm, an idyllic mix of farm and forestland situated along NH Rt. 10 in Lyme. A conservation easement, in the form of an NRCS ALE, will be purchased utilizing funds from UVLT’s NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NH Farm Future funds will aid in covering a portion of the costs for the project and will be utilized by the Farm Partner to seek project representation and business and transition planning support. 

 

Meadow’s Mirth Farm, Brentwood NH 

In 2021, Southeast Land Trust of NH (SELT) will purchase a permanent conservation easement on a 33-acre property currently owned by Game Farm, LLC. In conjunction with SELT’s easement purchase, Game Farm, LLC has agreed to lease the farm to Meadow’s Mirth Farm. The lease agreement also gives Jennings an option-to-buy once the conservation easement is completed, offering Meadow’s Mirth its first chance at farm ownership after more than 15 years of operating on leased land. SELT will use $10,000 to cover transactional expenses of the easement, while Meadow’s Mirth Farm will use $10,000 for technical assistance.

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Morrill Dairy Farm, Penacook NH 

In 2022, The Forest Society is working with Rob and Sherri Morrill and the Morrill Farm Dairy LLC o purchase a conservation easement on approximately 208 acres of their farm property in Penacook, NH.  The farm is operated by Rob and Sherri Morrill and their three sons, Andy, Kevin, and Ryan.  The farm currently owns or leases over 500 acres of land in Penacook, Concord, and Boscawen.  The proposed easement land is a mixture of open agricultural fields, riparian areas, floodplain forests, and shrub wetlands that drain into the Merrimack River.  25% of this grant will be used to help cover the conservation easement transaction expenses and 75% will be used towards legal fees associated with estate planning and technical assistance to help analyze their current business practices and develop a business plan. 

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Moulton Generations Farm, Haverhill, NH

In 2022, the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, will protect 202 acres of farmland at the Moulton Generations Farm in Haverhill, NH. Grant funding will help pay the costs associated with the property survey needed for the easement process. Technical assistance will focus on succession to new owner (the owner’s son) and costs associated with legal and financial assistance, and owners share of EQIP funded forest management plan. This grant funding will help to take the project from the planning and discussion phase to the development phase of placing the land in conservation easement.

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On the River Farm, Lyme NH

In 2023, the Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) seeks to protect 18 acres of farmland at On the River Farm, a floodplain farm between the Connecticut River (National Scenic Byway) and River Road in Lyme, NH. UVLT anticipates that a conservation easement, in the form of an NRCS ALE, will be purchased utilizing funds from UVLT’s NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Grant funds will aid in covering a portion of the costs for the project and will be utilized by On the River Farm to seek legal assistance for will and estate planning and easement review, tax and financial planning assistance, and coaching on attracting and bringing on a future farmer.

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Pete’s Stand, Walpole NH 

In 2021, the Monadnock Conservancy permanently protected this farmland by purchasing a conservation easement. This grant request seeks $10,000 to be used for technical assistance and $10,000 to be used to cover Conservancy costs related to the appraisal expense and the stewardship fund contribution. The technical assistance funds will likely be used to cover the farmer’s legal fees to review the conservation easement and transaction documents, to assist in implementing land lease related agreements, and to address other business related planning and implementation needs as available funding allows.

 

Picadilly Farm, Winchester NH 

In 2021, the Monadnock Conservancy permanently protected this farmland by purchasing a conservation easement. This grant request seeks $10,000 to be used for technical assistance and $10,000 to be used to cover Conservancy costs related to the initial appraisal expense, the survey expense and a portion of the stewardship fund contribution. The technical assistance funds will likely be used to cover the farmer’s legal fees to review the conservation easement and other transaction related documents, and to provide business finance and marketing assistance.  

 

Pletcher Farm (aka Vegetable Ranch), Warner NH 

In 2020, Five Rivers Conservation Trust purchased a conservation easement on Pletcher Farm. The easement will allow the farm to be split into two ownerships in the future. Technical assistance will be utilized to help Larry Pletcher develop a succession plan for the farm business and land. This will enable Larry and the next generation of farm stakeholders to consider creative ideas for future ownership and equity building. Land for Good will also provide accountability to Larry as he establishes a will.

 

Sherman Farm, Conway NH 

In 2020, the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust (USVLT) purchased a conservation easement on Sherman Farm. The easement will preserve important natural resource values and forever protect the land for agriculture. The easement will protect over 160 acres of valuable farmland soils and almost 1,000 feet of frontage along the Saco River.  NHFF funds will be used to partially cover acquisition costs such as surveying, appraisal, legal review, title work, stewardship contribution and legal defense funds, environmental assessment, and baseline documentation. Technical assistance for the farm partners will be used for business viability planning and identifying new markets for local, farm-raised beef.

 

Swiftwater Farm, Lee NH 

In 2022, The Garvan Swiftwater Farm project will be a bargain sale conservation easement.  NH Farm Future grant funding will help pay the costs associated with the property appraisal, updating of the property survey, and associated costs. Technical assistance will focus on succession to new owner and development and training opportunities. The landowner is very committed to conservation, and we expect will proceed unless the appraisal is very low - not an expected outcome. This grant funding will help to take the project from the planning/discussion phase to the development phase.

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Tuckaway Farm, Lee NH 

In 2020, the Forest Society worked with the Cox family to buy a conservation easement on an adjacent 36-acre property which was purchased by Tuckaway Farm (Westwick Farming LLC) last spring. NH Farm Future funds will be used to help cover the transaction expenses and provided funding to the landowner to receive farm viability planning, land transfer planning and legal assistance.

 

Woods Farm, Bath NH 

In 2020, the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust began the process of conserving a 311-acre beef farm through the purchase of a conservation easement. Technical assistance focused on current business viability (e.g. capital investments, soil fertility, marketing), identifying new business opportunities for the future, and how to create an easement that meets goals for both business viability and conservation. Grant dollars were also used for an appraisal of the land to determine which land is strategic fort conservation.