Land Trust offers fertile farm for sale

WESTPORT — Want to get into farming? The Westport Land Conservation Trust (WLCT) has just the place to you.

Up off Blossom Road not far from the west shore of South Watuppa Pond is the 32-acre Sherman/Rulon Farm .

The WLCT is seeking a buyer who will “continue and enhance the agricultural operation on the farm.” All proposals are due by February 15, 2018.

Located in north Westport, the property contains 16 acres of open farm fields, most of which are classified as prime farmland and soils of statewide significance by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The property currently has no structures, but does possess a network of fields connected by a well-established laneway.

WLCT and the Town of Westport have partnered to protect this farm. This farmland is part of a statewide program that taxes qualifying land at its farmland value – Massachusetts General Law Chapter 61. This voluntary program allows property owners to enroll in exchange for granting the municipality a right of first refusal to purchase the land if it is proposed to be converted to other uses during a specific time period. This farmland became available through that process and WLCT accepted the town’s assignment of its Right of First Refusal on February 8, 2017. 

WLCT purchased the farm for $400,000 last May. Westport’s Agricultural/Open Space Preservation Trust Fund Council committed $150,000 towards the protection of the property.  Now, WLCT and the town are working to protect the farm with a permanent agricultural preservation restriction. Their goal is to sell the farm to a private buyer committed to agriculture. 

The restriction, covering the entire property, will protect resources such as prime farmland soils and wetlands, and will require that the property be farmed while allowing for the construction of farm buildings with approval. It will also allow for the construction of a single family house in a designated area near Blossom Road.  

All future owners must adhere to the restriction. WLCT and the Town of Westport’s Conservation Commission will hold the restriction on the entire farm. WLCT and the Ttwn will be responsible for the annual monitoring and enforcement of the restriction. Bidders are asked to submit proposals with a price range between $225,000 and $285,000.

The complete request for proposals can be found at:  http://www.westportlandtrust.org/shermanfarm. This website will list of all important dates, details about the restriction, deadlines, and updates throughout the proposal process.