Summer 2008
Dear Friend,
You are invited to:
Get acquainted with The Benson Place, which is a beautiful and ecologically managed lowbush blueberry farm in Heath, MA
Help preserve this farm as an accessible community resource
The Benson Place is a 38 acre ecologically managed, low bush, wild blueberry farm located on uniquely beautiful land in the Town of Heath, a small rural community in Western Franklin County, Massachusetts. Nearby are two neighboring blueberry farms and several hundred acres of town-owned, wooded conservation area.
Although a managed habitat, the fields comprise a unique, ridge-top, native blueberry barren. The abundance of berries attracts black bears, ravens, coyotes and other species, and the fields support interesting native species including wood lily, ladies tresses orchid, and the Northern Harrier during October migration. Farm roads are open year round to passive recreational use by the public and have been since 1999.
Sixteen of our acres are in active blueberry production. We lease an adjacent 20 acres of fields and annually harvest up to 14 tons of fruit, which are retailed primarily at the farm. Additional farm enterprises include the production of blueberry spread and the hosting of community events.
Berries can be pre-ordered, and we are are also open for PYO beginning in late July. Call or email ahead for times and prices.
This year¹s 8th Annual Wild Blueberry Jubilee will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday, August 2 at the farm from 2-8PM. Take a guided edible wild plants walk, enjoy family art activities, great music, and blueberry desserts.
We have begun raising funds and welcome financial assistance now or over the next 1-2 years. Contributions are not currently tax deductible, but we anticipate that option being available soon.
With that assistance:
38 acres of farmland, woods , and residential plots will be permanently preserved;
The farm enterprise will flourish in a cooperative fashion and serve the entire community, including youth and those with special needs;
Affordable residences for farmers and others of modest income will be permanently assured;
A benign environment for wildlife will be preserved, and public access to beautiful and historic land will be guaranteed.
We have been working hard with several organizations to develop structures to ensure these goals. Land for Good, Equity Trust, Valley Community Land Trust, Franklin Land Trust, Commonwealth of Massachusetts APR Program, Cooperative Development Institute, Cooperative Development Fund and others have lent valuable support to this project to date.
Let us know if you would like to support this visionary farm transfer project, and come see us anytime!
Mark Benjamin, Anne Conger, Sally Fuller, and Dave Gott for the Friends of The Benson Place
Box 89, 182 Flagg Hill Road
Heath, MA 01367
413-337-5340
www.bensonplace.org
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