NEWPORT — The local community responded generously to a fundraising effort toward permanently preserving the agricultural use of Beaver Pond Farm on McDonough Road off Route 11-103, the Upper Valley Land Trust announced this week.
The land trust is in the process of securing a conservation easement on the 243-acre historic family farm that was started by a veteran of the Revolutionary War and now is owned and operated by Becky and Ben Nelson.
Though it represents a small amount of the roughly $300,000 almost raised for the project, the $9,000 raised locally from more than 100 households indicates strong community support to conserve the farm, UVLT Project Manager Megan Chapman said.
“We were challenged by a local funder to raise money from the farm’s community to gauge the support for this project,” Chapman said in a news release. “To help us do that, we were promised an extra gift of $5,000 if 100 households donated to the project.”
Chapman said since UVLT does not have a major presence in the Newport area, she was uncertain of the response when fundraising began late last year. But in about two months, the “100 household challenge” was met with 112 households donating nearly $9,000, which was added to the match for a total of $14,000.
Other sources of funding included the Natural Resources Conservation Service, The 1772 Foundation and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Ben Nelson said they are essentially selling the “development rights” of the property, which means the farm will remain as agricultural use in perpetuity.
“It keeps the goal of having the property open and available for agriculture,” Chapman said on Friday. “The easement runs with the land and is attached to the deed.”
Nelson, a Sullivan County commissioner, said selling the development rights and creating the conservation easement will allow them to pay off a mortgage but won’t affect their farming, which includes haying, beef, fruits and vegetables, maple syrup and Christmas trees.
Becky Nelson, a descendant of the original owner William Osgood, said Friday she was pleasantly surprised by the strong community support.
“It was a huge showing from the community. I had no idea people would be so supportive of the farm,” Nelson said. “I am really pleased.”
In the news release, Nelson said they are excited with the agreement and the ability to “keep working the land as our ancestors have for more than two centuries.”
Chapman said the easement idea came up a few years ago but “nothing lined up” until recently.
“It has been a pleasure working with the Nelsons and getting to know their farm,” Chapman said.
The Nelson’s son, Samuel, lives on the farm and is currently teaching in Newport, but one day would like to take over the farm, Becky Nelson said.
The Nelsons are holding an open house to thank contributors at the Beaver Pond Farm stand on Route 11-103 on Feb. 7 from 4-5:30 p.m.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.
