"As for next steps, as soon as we identify the farmer we will hold a community meeting, likely in December. This will be a public meeting/presentation at a location to be determined. During that time, we will be finalizing the lease agreement in cooperation with the Vermont Land Trust. This should be complete by the end of the year. Then we can start really working on the farm infrastructure -- bringing in small equipment, cleaning out and pigeon-proofing the barn, pulling together crop plans and sorting out logistics with local food shelves and meal sites, all of whom are very excited about the new source of food," said Vermont Land Trust Kingsbury project director David Thurlow.
"The house needs some significant work before occupancy, I'm afraid, so whoever the farmer is, they would not be able to move in immediately, if they plan to live there. The whole building needs to be rewired and made safe as far as lead paint, heating system and fire egress, and we'd love to beef up the insulation," he added.
The farm's garage renovation has been completed. That renovation involved transforming a garage into a produce sorting and washing facility. Yestermorrow has begun renovating the living room of the farmhouse, according to Thurlow.
Other projects underway include the installation of two photovoltaic panels that are solar trackers. Those panels, according to Thurlow, will keep energy costs down and will be installed by the end of the year.
The farm has been enrolled in a USDA conservation program which will provide funding to do considerable planting of native species along the river and do some invasives eradication as well. The 22-acre farm has considerable frontage along the Mad River.
Thurlow said he will be applying for a state grant for the construction of a bridge over the small Mad River tributary. This will accommodate foot traffic as well as the farm tractor.
The farm now has a website: www.vtfoodbank.org/about_us/kingsbury_farm/.
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