The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) presented its annual Vermont Lifetime Leadership Award to Paul Bruhn, the Executive Director of Preservation Trust of Vermont for his transformational leadership in historic preservation and community development. (Courtesy photograph)
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) presented its annual Vermont Lifetime Leadership Award to Paul Bruhn, the Executive Director of Preservation Trust of Vermont for his transformational leadership in historic preservation and community development. (Courtesy photograph) Credit: Courtesy photograph

Randolph — A conservation group has met its goal to raise $1 million to buy 22 acres of farmland near the Interstate 89 Exit 4 interchange and protect it from development.

“You did it! We did it!,” Preservation Trust of Vermont executive director Paul Bruhn said in an emailed announcement today. “Together we have raised $1 million and Exit 4 will be saved!”

Developer Jesse Sammis and conservation groups in April announced a deal to conserve nearly 150 acres of prized farmland near the Exit 4 interchange along Interstate 89 which was sold to a Montpelier-based foundation for $1.2 million.

The Preservation Trust had until June 15 to raise $1 million to protect another 22 acres, which Sammis had considered for a mixed-use development or hotel.

Posted at 12:30 p.m. For a full report, see Tuesday’s Valley News.