Offer accepted, Barrington Farm School now focuses on fund-raising

The Barrington Farm School has less than three months to raise $100,000.

Officials from the local non-profit received some good news earlier this month when the owners of the Vendituoli property at the corner of Federal Road and Middle Highway accepted the farm school's offer to purchase the land.

The agreement included a deadline to raise the $200,000 officials offered for the 3.25 acres.

"We've got about 90 days," said farm school co-founder Tim Faulkner. 

Farm school officials, who are partnering with the Barrington Land Conservation Trust on the acquisition, have already raised about $100,000 through face-to-face meetings and social media. 

Mr. Faulkner said most people he has approached have been very receptive to the requests. He said they understand the valuable role the farm school plays in this community: educating local youngsters on farming and the natural world, and preserving a piece of land from the dwindling stock of open space in Barrington.

"People understand this is a great resource," he said.

Mr. Faulkner and other farm school representatives are continuing to reach out to community members for donations, all of which are tax deductible. (Should officials not raise the necessary money, all donations would be returned to people.)

Mr. Faulkner said he recently received some good news — a Barrington native offered to match donations up to $50,000.

"That's a huge boost," he said.

Mr. Faulkner and other farm school officials plan on soliciting donations and raising awareness at public events in Barrington and through social media. He said the group will likely set up a table outside the Shaw's Supermarket in town and at Center Ace Hardware. 

"Be on the lookout for us," said Mr. Faulkner. 

With the acquisition process underway, Barrington Farm School officials are already looking forward to future work at the farm — new programs for children, more permanent plantings such as berry bushes and fruit trees, and possibly hiring a part-time educator. 

House sold

The Vendituoli property had also included a single family home on Lincoln Avenue. Mr. Faulkner said someone has already purchased that home. 

"She's going to live there and partner with us," he added.