Preserving Pantry Brook Farm
The Sudbury Foundation has committed $175,000 to the effort to protect historic Pantry Brook Farm. This grant will help the Town of Sudbury and Sudbury Valley Trustees purchase a conservation restriction (CR) on the privately-owned 94-acre farm, located on Concord Road just north of the high school. Pantry Brook Farm has been a top priority for preservation by both the Town and SVT for decades.
With its rolling pastures, ancient stone walls, spectacular views, and picturesque farm buildings, Pantry Brook Farm is an iconic reminder of Sudbury’s agrarian history. In addition, the property boasts habitat for a state-listed endangered species, and it connects to over 2,000 acres of federal, state, and local conservation land.
“Pantry Brook Farm rings every conservation bell,” said Ron McAdow, SVT’s executive director. “Community character, productive agricultural land, and important wildlife habitat. We are grateful that Carole and Dick Wolfe are giving Sudbury the opportunity to permanently protect this wonderful landscape.”
According to Sudbury Foundation Trustee Chair Susan Iuliano, “This grant acknowledges our support for this important effort to conserve what is not only a high priority open space parcel for the Town but also one of the most beautiful tracks of land in Sudbury. With this restriction, the land will remain protected forever."
Sudbury voters will decide at the Annual Town Meeting commencing on May 7th whether to commit $7.76 million of Community Preservation funds toward the $7.91 million purchase. The Sudbury Foundation Grant and other private donations being sought by SVT are needed to cover transaction costs and to establish a permanent stewardship endowment for the conservation restriction. The CR will be jointly held by SVT and the Town, with SVT assuming responsibility for annual monitoring of the property.
The historical buildings on the property will not fall within the area covered by the conservation restriction, but landowners Carole and Dick Wolfe plan to restore them and place them under a historical preservation restriction at a later date.
“Tax-deductible contributions to the effort to protect Pantry Brook Farm can be made by visiting SVT’s website at http://www.sudburyvalleytrustees.org/donate-pantry-brook-farm or by mailing in a gift to our headquarters at 18 Wolbach Road, Sudbury, MA 01776,” according to Christa Collins, SVT Director of Land Protection.