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Community Development Press Releases

Stony Hedge Farm Preserved Through Purchase Of Conservation Easement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2019

BRISTOL, RI-Bristol Town  Administrator  Steven Contente is pleased to announce the purchase of a conservation easement for the Stony Hedge Farm located at 1362 Hope Street.   The Town of Bristol and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resource Conservation  Service (NRCS) have partnered to purchase the development rights to the Stony Hedge Farm property located on 7 acres of land at 1362  Hope  Street.    The Town of Bristol and the NRCS  each contributed  50 percent of the funds towards the $426,000.00 purchase price.  Town funds were authorized through a bond referendum approved by voters in 2016.   USDA funds were provided through the Agricultural  Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) administered through NRCS.

The Stony Hedge Farm is owned by William B. White and is one of only a few active farms remaining in Bristol.   Its preservation will ensure that this property remains agricultural in perpetuity.   The Stony  Hedge Farm currently houses several horses and is also used for the production of vegetables.   The farm property is also located adjacent to over  100 acres of Town-owned open space in the north-central portion of Bristol.  Town Administrator  Contente said “I am proud that this piece of Bristol’s agricultural land will be preserved and wish to thank the NRCS for their assistance and funding. I especially  want to thank Mr. White for his commitment  to preserve his land for future generations.”  Working with the NRCS  and  Mr.  White,  the  Bristol Department of Community  Development, coordinated all aspects of this farmland preservation project.     “Farmland Preservation is an important goal of the Town and a  priority in the Town’s Comprehensive  Plan.   We are grateful to Mr. White and are pleased that we could help him with the preservation of his wonderful farm,” said Diane M. Williamson, Director of Community Development

The Stony Hedge Farm remains privately owned, with the Town of Bristol and USDA holding a conservation easement on the property which prevents its development and ensures that it remains in agricultural use.