McCray Farm appeal

Residents of South Hadley and beyond
have a chance to protect 100-acres at
McCray’s Farm forever...
... but we need your help today!
Protect McCrays’ Farm!
THE OPPORTUNITY:
South Hadley’s Conservation Commission and The Kestrel Trust are
supporting the permanent protection of the 100-acres of farmland at McCray’s
Farm. Located on Alvord Street in South Hadley, this farm is one of the
premier farmland sites in the Valley, both for its place in the life of the
community and for the incredible views. When the McCray Family purchased
the farm in 1955 it was one of many farms in town, but as time passed and
development pressures increased many farms were sold for development.
McCray’s farm is the last working dairy farm in town, and it ranks as
one of the top six Priority Heritage Landscapes in South Hadley.
McCrays Farm now includes a petting zoo, creamery with their own
home made ice cream, haunted hay rides, pumpkin patch and mini-golf.
As economic times get hard these side projects help to support the farm,
as well as provide a tourist attraction in town. Through the sale of the
development rights or Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR)
to the state, the APR payment will also help sustain the farm’s viability,
while permanently protecting the land from development.
THE CHALLENGE:
Fortunately, Massachusetts’ APR program has adequate state funding to
cover most of the funding needed to purchase the development rights
or APR. However, the state requires a local match of $71,500, the
equivalent of only $715/acre. South Hadley’s Farmland Protection Fund
and Conservation land fund will cover up to $51,000, which leaves $20,500
that we must raise from neighbors and friends by the end of 2010.
Please make your tax-deductible contribution today
to save this cherished farm!
Help Us Raise $20,500 By Year’s End!
McCray’s Farm in South Hadley
Protect these 100 acres as Preserved Farmland!
preserved
farmland
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For more information, visit
ForeverFarmland.org
McCray’s will be protected with an Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR)—a state-funded program that
permanently protects farmland throughout Massachusetts. The APR payment is based on an independent third-party
appraisal to determine the development value of the property. The farmer retains ownership of the farm, but can never
develop it with a housing subdivision, as has been the fate of many adjacent farms.
McCray’s Farm Contribution Form
Yes, I would like to make a donation to permanently protect McCray’s Farm. My donation will
leverage state and town funds to purchase the Agricultural Preservation Restriction on this 100acre farm. *Free ice cream coupon at McCray’s for all contributions of $50 or more.
__$25
__$50*
__$100 ___$250
___$500
other $_______
Name:_________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________Town________State______Zip________
Please send your check to The Kestrel Trust, PO Box 1016, Amherst, MA 01004.
OR Donate with your credit card ONLINE at kestreltrust.org.
The Kestrel Trust is a non-profit regional land trust dedicated to the protection
of farmland, forestland, riverlands, and wetlands in the Pioneer Valley.
Look for Forever Farmland signs indicating protected farmland. All contributions are tax-deductible.