The Land
Property owner
Location
Alford, MA
Total number of acres available with this property
Acres of cropland or tillable land
Acres of pasture
Acres of forested land
Other open and/or non-farmable land
Notes regarding available acreage:
In regard to the the acreage available and the quantity of tillable acres for crops; note that other than a 1-2 acre area used for a commercial vegetable operation in the recent 5-10 years, the cropland identified on the site plan has been used exclusively for hay production for at least 15 years. However, those hay lots have produced corn in the past, so the Owners would understand them to be tillable, but that would need to be confirmed.
Given the Owner's commitment to the APR requirements for continued current use, and for what is best for the land, the Owner's may coordinate with local farmers for some grazing pasture usage and for hay harvesting during the 2026 season. In the event of this land usage this season, the timing of the availability of all the acreage will be impacted in order to respect those agreements.
Farm Information
Water sources present
Types of water sources present
- Shallow well or spring reservoir
- River/stream
- Other
Water sources details
There is also a brook that runs through the middle of the pasture and cropland on each primary parcel.
Farm infrastructure details
Upper Barn: Former +/- 80 stanchion dairy barn with concrete slab floor and barn cleaner gutters (most stanchions removed) at lower level and with vaulted 2nd level previously used for hay storage. Previous attached milkhouse recently used as a vegetable stand. Some recent upgrades to electrical and water plumbing to support a vegetable operation. Water supply pump and piping are planned to be diagnosed and repaired by Owner.
Lower Barn: Former stanchion dairy barn with concrete floor and gutters, +/- 12 stanchions, and livestock pens previously used for pigs and calves at lower level and with 2-storeys of hay storage above. Water supply pump and piping are planned to be diagnosed and repaired by Owner.
In addition to the 2 barns, there is a large equipment shed that may have available space for some equipment storage after Owners clear out old equipment.
Note that other than hay storage and some minimal livestock use, the barns have been underused for a number of years and have accumulated junk the Owners will be working on clearing out. The Owners are also actively repairing deferred structural and weatherproofing repairs on the barns, which will be ongoing for the immediate future.
Note also that the extent of barn usage will be dependent on leasing farmer's operation, and the Owner's may retain some barn area for equipment storage and/or other property managment use.
Farmer housing
Farmer housing details
Equipment and machinery
Equipment and machinery details
The Owners have 2 tractors and required haying equipment for both round and square bales in good useable condition, and square-bale elevators for unloading wagons.
Additionally, the Owners have a brushmower, a planter, and other miscellaneous farming equipment and tools.
Is the property enrolled in a current use or other state program that affects property taxes?
Is the property protected with any type of Conservation Easement?
Easement details
Is there a forest management plan for forestland on the available property?
Is the property certified organic, or does it qualify for organic certification under federal organic regulations?
If the property is contracted to be sold through a real estate agent, please provide name of agent and/or agency and the MLS #
n/a
Tenure Arrangement
Tenure arrangement
- Property for lease
- Other tenure arrangement
Property for lease
Note that the Owners are interested in having the assistance of Land For Good in the development of a leasing agreement.
Other tenure arrangement
Additional Information
The Owners have inherited the responsibility of stewarding a 100+ year legacy of farming into the future. The Owners are the 4th generation of the family to own the property, spent summers in their youth working on the farm as dairy farm, and continued to help the 3rd generation with haying until their passing. The Owners have a deep connection to the property and while they do not intend to have a farm operation themselves and want to provide full autonomy to leasing farmer(s), they do intend to be involved in the management, repair, and maintenance of the overall property, buildings, and infrastructure. They will be repairing and renovating the existing farmhouse residence and then occupying that property, and will retain access to the entire farmland property, but with respect for leasing farmers operations.
The Owners priority is to see the property continue to be used for productive farming, and be able to cover the expenses of property ownership. The minimum goal is to meet the compliance requirements of the APR program, but the greater goal hope is to provide the land and infrastructure needed for farmers to have the opportunity for the production of quality food. They are open to consideration of a variety of ideas and proposals for operations. They feel relationships based on honesty and trust are critical, and they are looking engage with the right individual(s) to establish a long term relationship.
In regard to the the acreage available and the quantity of tillable acres for crops; note that other than a 1-2 acre area used for a commercial vegetable operation in the recent 5-10 years, the cropland identified on the site plan has been used exclusively for hay production for at least 15 years. However, those hay lots have produced corn in the past, so the Owners would understand them to be tillable, but that would need to be confirmed.