Lanesboro APRs secure a thriving agricultural district

One of the more diverse and thriving farm districts in the county was secured in December as the state and the Resources Council purchased agricultural preservation restrictions on two key parcels in Lanesboro.

Map by Alison Kolesar

The two parcels total approximately 225 acres on Old Cheshire Road, just to the south of the Resources Council's Fletcher Farm.

On December 15, the Council purchased a restriction on 115 acres belonging to Robert and Lyn Petricca for $176,000.

The state Department of Food and Agriculture closed its purchase of an APR on the old Rhinehart Farm on December 29, paying $280,000.

The Council's purchase of the Petricca restriction was a "preacquisition" made on behalf of the state. Ultimately, that APR will be sold to Food and Agriculture.

Both parcels were once part of the Rhinehart Farm, which is currently owned by Marianne Leslie, a Rhinehart heir. Leslie leases the Rhinehart farm to Mike Weslowski, who grows an assortment of vegetables and runs a busy pick-your-own strawberry operation.

The Petricca parcel, a sweeping hilltop field overlooking Cheshire Reservoir and the Hoosic Valley, is currently being farmed by Jesse Wirtes.

Working with ElmWatch, BNRC helped pay for the protection against Dutch elm disease of this grand American elm in Lanesboro.

"These farms are at the heart of a vibrant farm district," said Tad Ames, director of the Resources Council.

Along with the two newly protected farms, the district includes the Council's Fletcher Farm, a 194-acre tract currently being used by several area farmers to grow hay, corn and other crops, Ames said.

Ames said that the state and Resources Council also hope to protect Hilltop Orchards, a newly established operation immediately north of Petricca. Dave and Judy Jurczak, Hilltop's owners, offer apples, peaches, berries and vegetables. Customers can pick their own, or stop in at the farmstand for a variety of mouth- watering produce and baked goods.

Ames thanked Richard Hubbard, Carol Szocik and Commissioner Jay Healy of the Department of Food and Agriculture for their commitment to investing in the Lanesboro farms and making sure the transactions closed.

He also said that the individual landowners deserved a lot of credit.

"Marianne Leslie was under a lot of pressure from her brothers, who wanted their money out of the land, and would have been just as happy to see houselots as strawberries popping up in the fields . She held them off for four years, which was a pretty great feat of endurance," Ames said.

"As for the Petriccas, they could have gotten more for the land on the open market, but they wanted the land preserved. Their agreement to bargain sale the APR closed the deal, and we're grateful for their help in making it happen."

Home