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Reprinted from the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
http://www.gazettenet.com/2009/10/31/valley-land-fund-preserves-two-farming-tracts-hadley
Valley Land Fund preserves two farming tracts in Hadley
By Scott Merzbach
Created 10/31/2009 - 09:00
HADLEY - Agricultural land totaling 35 acres on Moody Bridge Road and Meadow Street will be permanently protected for use by farmers following two recent sales by the Valley Land Fund.
Gordon and Beth Cook, who run Flayvors of Cook Farm on South Maple Street, recently purchased an abutting 8-acre parcel at the corner of Moody Bridge and South Maple that will be subject to an Agricultural Preservation Restriction program.
The Cooks are referring to the land as a "missing piece" for their dairy farm operation.
"We love our cows, and we love the land. We appreciate the efforts of the Valley Land Fund in making it possible for us to own this parcel," said Gordon Cook, in a statement.
Originally a 10-acre parcel, the land was targeted for a six-home development when the nonprofit, which was assigned the town's right of first refusal on the property, stepped in to purchase it in 2002. Two years ago, VLF sold 2 acres to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its "River to the Range" project.
Meanwhile, DeWitt Thomson, of Whately, who runs the Full Bloom Market Garden, bought a 27-acre parcel on Meadow Street in September. This land will have a permanent conservation restriction and be used as part of Thomson's organic farm efforts.
In 2003, 21 of the 48 original acres, primarily those that were wooded and alongside the Connecticut River, were sold to the Department of Conservation and Recreation and have become part of the Connecticut River Greenways State Park.
John Body, vice president for VLF, said the projects have taken several years to complete, but the land was kept open and the nonprofit has nearly recouped its money.
"In both instances, Valley Land Fund took the risk at a time when people probably thought we were crazy," Body said in a statement. Since 1986, VLF has saved more than 9,000 acres in 43 towns.