270 more acres of farmland protected

This past month, MFT closed on three more farms: Maine Lee Morgan Horse Farm in Manchester, Bunting Farm in Whitfield, and Spring Brook Farm in Cumberland.

Maine Lee Morgan Horse Farm is owned by farmers Deb Plengey and Trudie Lee. They closed on an easement to protect their 77 acres. Trudie grew up on the farm, where her family milked cows and bred Morgan horses. Deb serves as a board member for Maine Farm Bureau and is an active member of the Kennebec County Conservation Commission. Just outside of Augusta and close to the turnpike, their farm is in an area of increasing development pressure and Trudie and Deb are thrilled to know their farming legacy will be protected for generations to come.

Owner of Bunting Farm, Bill Bunting, donated an easement to protect his 167-acre farm in Whitefield. Bill says an agricultural conservation easement “is the best move one can make at present to keep a farm from being subdivided into house lots. I don’t serve on any local civic boards, etc, but hopefully this easement will be viewed as a benefit for the town of Whitefield.” The farm grows hay and raises beef for local markets like Beth’s Farm Market in Warren.

Farmer Jeff Storey closed on the purchase of 26 acres of Spring Brook Farm in Cumberland. Storey was able to purchase the land back from the Town of Cumberland thanks in large part to community support and an agricultural conservation easement purchased by MFT and Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust, which will protect the 200-year-old farm from development and ensure the land is available for farming for future generations. Celebrate Spring Brook Farm with CCLT & MFT!

You can help protect farmland around the state and in your community when you give as a member! Join/renew HERE.