80 acres for lease, with house - Bennington, VT

The Land

Property owner

Private non-farming landowner

Location

Bennington VT

Total number of acres available with this property

80

Acres of cropland or tillable land

40

Acres of pasture

40

Acres of forested land

0

Other open and/or non-farmable land

The majority of the farm's open land is prime agricultural soil, Stockbridge and Georgia loams, mostly gentle slopes ranging from 3% - 15%. One smaller field has seasonal wetness and a few pasture areas have seepage from springs that keep the soil consistently wet in specific areas. 
No chemicals or synthetic fertilizers have been applied to the land for over 20 years, though manure from conventional dairies has been applied. 

Farm Information

Water sources present

Available

Types of water sources present

  • Drilled well
  • Shallow well or spring reservoir
  • Pond
  • River/stream

Water sources details

Abundant water available all year round from a spring fed pond, numerous brooks, and several springs. There is water and electricity at the barn complex. The buildings on the property are supplied by either a gravity fed spring system or drilled wells and most fields and pastures are close to brooks, the pond and/or springs. 

Barns, sheds or other structures

Available

Farm infrastructure details

The farm is situated along a main road with easy access to dowtown Bennington, Williamstown MA and Manchester, VT. The barn complex consists of a 150' x 30' dairy barn,  a 40'x40' horse barn, a 70' x 22' extension, and two three-sided sheds with storage above, one 20' x 60' , the other 25' x 15'. These four buildings enclose the 110' x 70' barnyard complex and are supplied with electricity and water. The amount of space in these buildings that would be available to a prospective farmer depends on the proposed business. Housing is available either in a newly renovated 3 bedroom house or a room or rooms in the main farmhouse. 

Farmer housing

Available

Farmer housing details

Small three bedroom house with one car garage, and/or possibly a room or rooms in the main farmhouse.

Equipment and machinery

Available

Equipment and machinery details

Ford 4600 tractor and potentially the farm pick up truck. 

Is the property enrolled in a current use or other state program that affects property taxes?

Yes

Is the property protected with any type of Conservation Easement?

Yes

Easement details

190 acres of the 275 total are protected under an easement with the Vermont Land Trust. Permitted uses are limited to agricultural and educational activities. 

Is there a forest management plan for forestland on the available property?

Yes

Is the property certified organic, or does it qualify for organic certification under federal organic regulations?

No

Tenure Arrangement

Tenure arrangement

  • Property for lease

Other tenure arrangement

What we'd offer in terms of housing, acreage, infrastructure and equipment depends on the prospective business, from a few acres to many more. We’d require a 1 or 2 year lease initially to allow time to work together, get to know each other, and build trust. If all goes well we’d offer a long term lease with options down the line for potential ownership in some form. We're currently creating a cooperative so one of our long-term tenants can buy their house with two acres and share in the stewardship, and possibly lease portions of, the 180 acres of conserved land. This option will be open to other tenants in future.

Additional Information

Beautiful, historic 275 acre former dairy farm bordered by 100s of acres of protected land yet walking distance to town. Open and forested land, streams, a pond, barns, housing, and a small community of people living here.

We're seeking folks with a practical vision and plan for a land-based business. From regenerative/biodynamic/permaculture-based perennial or annual crops, medicinal herbs, rotational grazing, or small dairy, to animal training/rescue, value-added foods, traditional folk arts/crafts, or educational activities, much is possible with shared values and the right personal chemistry. We have a sweet little three bedroom farmhouse for rent—one of 7 dwellings on the property, as well as, possibly, a room or rooms in the main farmhouse. You do not need to be a farmer to rent the house, and you don't need to rent the house if you just want to farm, but ideally we'd find someone who wants both.

Supporting documentation

Date posted

Map

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