Indian Line Farm - Model for Farmland Preservation
& Conservation
In a uniquely collaborative arrangement developed by the
E. F. Schumacher Society, the Community Land Trust in
the Southern Berkshires, the Berkshire Highlands Program
of The Nature Conservancy, and farmers Elizabeth Keen
and Alex Thorp joined together to purchase Indian Line
Farm in southwestern Massachusetts. The aims of the partnership
are to preserve the first CSA farm project in North America,
to maintain it as a working organic farm, to protect the
adjacent sensitive wetlands, and to provide small-scale
farmers access to affordable farmland.
Working with the Schumacher Society to draft the innovative
legal documents, The Nature Conservancy acquired easements
on the property to permanently limit future development,
while the Community Land Trust acquired the title to the
land and is leasing it to Elizabeth and Alex on a 99-year
basis. The farmers themselves have purchased the house,
barn, and other buildings, and will gain equity through
any improvements made to the farm during their tenure.
The Community Land Trust retains an option to purchase
the buildings and improvements back, and to resell them
at their replacement cost to another farmer.
Addressing the critical connections between ecology, economy,
and community, this model project is protecting habitat,
preserving agricultural property, and keeping small-scale,
organic farming viable. The participation of the two land
trusts provided a way for Berkshire consumers to successfully
finance the purchase of the land so that the farmers can
continue to farm organically and practice wise stewardship
without having to use unsustainable growing methods to
pay off land debt quickly.
(Adapted from an Orion magazine article, August 1999)
A New Lease on Farmland: Assuring a Future
for Farming in the Northeast
by Susan Witt and Jay Rossier
A guide to CLT members to ensuring that farmland kept
in a trust is used productively over the long-term.
Online | PDF
In Business Article: Group Effort Saves
Nation's First CSA Farm
by Susan Witt
Online | PDF
From Activism to Agriculture
by Judith Monachina, Special to the Berkshire Eagle
Online | PDF
From Farm to Front Door
by Mark Hawthorne, American Chronicle
Online | PDF
Lease Agreement
Based on leases used by the Jewish National Fund and
modified over the years within Massachusetts Law. Consult
with your local lawyer for application to your local
laws. The object is to provide leaseholders with ownership
of all buildings and other improvements on the site
while maintaining ownership of the land itself within
the Trust. The resale restrictions call for the leaseholder
to retain the current replacement value of improvements
on the site, adjusted for deterioration, without also
capturing the speculative land value.
Online | PDF
Addendum to the Lease
This addendum is for the benefit of a mortgager of the
building on leased land. It allows a mortgager to be
free from resale restrictions in the event of a foreclosure.
There is also ample provision for the CLT to correct
any default before foreclosure.
Online | PDF
Land Use Plan
Details the tillable land, buffer areas, and other uses
of the land. It reflects the combined ecological, community,
farming, and private homestead interests of the partnership.
Online | PDF
Land Management Plan
Developed in cooperation with the farmers, the management
plan sets the requirements for crop and livestock production
to ensure that the land stays in use and is farmed in
accordance with organic standards.
PDF
Conservation Easement
The easement protects the ecological characteristics
of the farm.
Online | PDF
Notice of Lease
The Notice of Lease, description of the property leased,
and the Land Use Plan are recorded at the registry of
deeds after signing.
Online | PDF
Bill of Sale
Online | PDF
Property Boundaries
Online | PDF
Great Barrington Land Conservancy: Tax-exempt
land conservancy's can work closely with land trusts
to preserve land, which the land trust can then hold
in perpetuity
What is a Land Conservancy?
(Will be available soon)
Bylaws
Online | PDF
Articles of Incorporation
Online | PDF
*Download all of the above documents
in a single,
compressed .zip file: as .pdf |
as. rtf (for microsoft
word)
Other Links:
Indian
Line Farm
Website
Community
Supported Agriculture
of North America
A helpful list of CSA resources
Robyn
Van En Center for
CSA Resources in the Northeast
Comprehensive listing of CSA farms throughout the country
as well as organizations and on-line resources
Nature
Conservancy's
Berkshire Taconic Landscape Program
Features Indian Line Farm
Return to> Community
Land Trusts Page
Go to>
Section I:
Background Materials
The rationale and history behind creating a Community
Land Trust.
Section II: Creating
a Community Land Trust Organization
Brochure, bylaws and articles of organization for the
Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires.
Section III:
Forest Row Model for Affordable Housing
History and legal documents for Forest Row.
Section IV: Indian
Line Farm Model for Farmland Preservation & Conservation
History and legal documents for Indian Line Farm.
Access to these materials is free of charge, but we ask
you to consider making a contribution
to the E. F. Schumacher Society, a 501c3 tax-exempt organization,
to support our continued work.
