BRISTOL — The Vermont Land Trust has teamed up with local supporters and members of the Bristol Conservation Commission to protect the scenic corridor north of Bristol on Route 116. The “Gateway to Bristol” project is moving toward a successful outcome and conservation easements will be placed on 687 acres of farm fields and woodlands in early 2014.
The Vermont Folk Rocker raffle is part of the last push to raise $90,000 privately from community members. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and a match from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service have contributed $355,100. The rocker was donated by Vermont Folk Rocker in Starksboro. Other funding was generously provided by the National Bank of Middlebury, Mary’s at Baldwin Creek, the Bobcat Restaurant, the town of Bristol and over 200 individuals and organizations.
The Farr and Fuller farms have been a fixture in Bristol’s farming history for generations. Bob Fuller kept a dairy herd until 1995, and since then he has leased the land to local farmers. The Farr family ran their dairy farm until the early 1960s. Once the land is protected, Fuller plans to keep his land in the family. The Farrs will sell their land to Trent and Abby Roleau. The Roleau family plans to start a diversified farm and sell sustainably raised meat and dairy products to the local community.
“At the Vermont Land Trust we are inspired by the commitment the local community has demonstrated to their agricultural heritage,” said Al Karnatz of the Vermont Land Trust and a New Haven resident. “We are very close to completing the campaign and then we’ll celebrate the neighbors and all the conservation supporters that have given what they can to make this possible. On behalf of VLT, I want to offer appreciation to all the supporters behind this great project.”