Dimond Hill Farm—Concord, NH

Equity Trust joined a four-organization project, spearheaded by the Trust for Public Land, to save a 107-acre New Hampshire farm.  The farm has been owned and operated by the Presby family since 1827 but faced a problem upon the death of the Presby parents, when the surviving children were faced with the question of how to divide up the estate.  One of the heirs, Jane, is currently farming and wished to continue but could not afford to buy her family out.  Jane grows a variety of crops and operates a very successful farm stand on the property selling tomatoes, sweet corn, summer vegetables, pumpkins, winter squash, hay and organic products (breads, cheeses, sauces, etc.)

In order to protect this farm, the following steps were taken:  The Trust for Public Land purchased the property from the Presby family estate.  The Five Rivers Conservation Trust now holds an open-space conservation easement.  The New Hampshire Preservation Trust holds an easement on the historical buildings.  Jane holds a life estate for as long as she actively farms the property.  Equity Trust holds the remainder interest in the property.  When Jane or her brother Abbott are no longer able to farm the property, Equity Trust will locate new farmers and transfer the improvements to them along with a lease to the land. 

The fundraising for this project was very successful and we were excited to be able to close.  The farm will now be protected as a working farm, and will continue to provide good food for the community for generations.

For more information, please visit Dimond Hill Farm's website at: http://www.dimondhillfarm.com