TLT Conserves Historic Farm and Helps Perpetuate the Next Generation of Farmers in Tiverton
The Tiverton Land Trust is pleased to announce an impactful land conservation project that secures a historic 7-acre Tiverton farm for agricultural use in perpetuity and conserves 30 acres of ecologically significant forest and wetlands at Adamsville Brook.
As with most land conservation projects, this one was complicated and took several years to complete. We were fortunate that all parties shared enthusiasm and patience to complete the effort as envisioned. We also benefited greatly from the gentle leadership of Brian Janes and John Berg, both volunteer members of the TLT Land Protection Committee. The land would not have been conserved without their guidance and patience.
Both the agricultural parcel and the forest tract were owned by a long-time Tiverton couple, Patrick and Lana Lavery. As they planned out their next chapter in life, they felt strongly that the land stay undeveloped, conserved in its existing state, and if possible, made available to their young neighbor who had grown up next door and had managed the farm parcel for them in his youth.
In a twist of good fortune, their neighbor, Cody Braz, did have an interest in acquiring the property. He and his partner Abby Peckham were expanding their family and their business, and the prospect of owning the farm had great appeal to them. Through patient back and forth among the land trust with RIDEM, the seller and the buyers, we arrived at a creative and impactful outcome for all involved.
Cody and Abby now own the conserved 7-acre agricultural parcel with two existing structures. The farm itself dates back to the 19th century, and was part of the Jirah Waite farm. With help from Open Space Bond Funding to the Agricultural Land Preservation Commission at Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the land trust secured a conservation easement on the farm parcel, ensuring that it will be used for agricultural purposes in perpetuity. Cody and Abby have developed a thoughtful farm plan for Braz Berry Farm which they expect to implement over the next several years.
The Department of Environmental Management purchased the 30-acre forest tract from the Laverys with help from the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The forest tract, which borders Tiverton Great Swamp at its outlet to Adamsville Brook, has some of the oldest, and highly developed oak-pine forest in this region of Rhode Island. This tract is being added by RIDEM to its existing 300-plus-acre Management Area at Lake Road.
With its multiple moving parts, this was an extremely satisfying project for many reasons:
We completed conservation along the southern boundary of Tiverton Great Swamp, protecting a key forest tract and significantly ensuring the future health of this freshwater source to Adamsville Brook
We conserved a historic piece of Tiverton farmland that has been under cultivation for over 150 years.
We created a bridge to ownership for a young farming family within the community, as they build their family's future on land they have known all their lives, keeping farming alive and well in Tiverton.
As with many of these projects, we worked collaboratively with generous sellers, enthusiastic buyers, supportive State of RI entities, and skilled volunteers to bring it across the finish line.
I hope this story appeals to your appreciation of conservation, and confirms the value of the work we do at TLT. Your ongoing support enables us to continue this important work. So please continue to support the Tiverton Land Trust.
Images in this article were photographed by Aurora Goodland.