We believe local food systems depend on vibrant farms that are important components of both the local economy and the cultural landscape.
When residents identify places of the heart, at least one historic farm makes the list. These days, keeping a farm viable takes more than tending to a bountiful harvest, requiring a broad skill set that includes business, land use, and food systems planning. These planning resources can offer strategies for managing multiple important aspects of a farm operation.
Helping communities build relationships with local farmers to better understand their needs and opportunities to support local farms and increase access to local food. This typically includes the collection of local data to develop a profile of existing agriculture and facilitated community engagement to guide volunteers through a process that results in an informed action plan.
Helping farmers develop or update their business plans and financial projections for their farm business. This process varies by farm, but may typically include an analysis of current operations, resources, and historic financials, and focused interviews with operators to identify goals, growth strategies, potential markets, and infrastructure needs.
We assist farmers in keeping their land in agriculture and helping them understand their options for transferring their land to the next generation of farmers.
We provide guidance, strategies, recommendations and project management that define the specific tasks and phases needed within a project to achieve the ultimate vision. This includes identifying appropriate grants and other funding sources for the various phases of a project, from planning through implementation and long-term stewardship.
Preparation of forest management plans, enrollment and transfer of Ch. 61 lands.
We’re here to make conservation work for you!
Conservation in action...
Rock Walk Trail
Ongoing work to develop a unique interpretive trail through an abandoned quarry.
464-acre Wildlife Restoration Plan
A pair of large scale wildlife restoration plans to benefit endangered species and bird habitats.
Lathrop Community Trail System Upgrade
Reducing impact on the property’s wetlands and providing safe crossings of wet trail sections.
Watershed Wildlife Plans
Habitat improvement for the endangered Northern Long-eared Bat and a variety of bird species.
Boardwalk Construction
Construction of a weather-resistant boardwalk at a wildflower sanctuary.
Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Project
Guiding the Town of Deerfield through a climate change planning process