Land available is at the Southbury Training School
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
Connecticut is making 370 acres of state-owned farmland at the Southbury Training School available for farmers to lease for at least 10 years.
There are 12 parcels of land available, ranging in size between 3 and 71 acres. The land is located along Cassidy Road and Purchase Brook Road and are currently used for corn, grass hay and pasture. Other areas of the land need to be restored.
“This property is a valuable resource located in an area of the state where demand for quality farmland is high,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steven Reviczky. “I believe this program represents a unique opportunity for farmers to compete to access this special place.”
Commissioner Reviczky said proposals outlining food and fiber usage will be given priority.
Earlier in the year, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy helped transfer the training school farm to the state’s agriculture department. Letting farmers tend to the land could have positive impacts on the state and town economy.
“Restoring these prime farmlands to active farming will be good for the environment and the economy of Southbury,” First Selectman Ed Edelson said. “Agriculture was historically a major part of Southbury’s economy and I see this program as the beginning of a wave of infrastructure and institutional support to restore more of the town’s farm potential.”
Public tours of the property are scheduled for Saturday, September 12. The first from 10am - noon and another from 2pm – 4pm.
Initial proposals must be submitted by Friday, October 2nd and the accepted proposals will be issued permits on March 1st, 2016.