ORANGE — A regional conservation coordinator for the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust has presented the town with a farmland inventory that captures “a snapshot” of Orange’s agriculture.
Kathleen Doherty, working through AmeriCorps and the Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow, explained inventory was taken in six towns and is meant to be a tool for towns, conservation organization and community members to build support for farming in the future.
According to Doherty’s report, Orange contains 1,257 acres of farm fields, which are open field used for pasture and crop production. Nearly 9,350 acres of land are covered by “prime and statewide important farmland soil.” However, 89 percent of prime and statewide important farmland soils are not being utilized for food crops, fodder or pasture.
Twenty-six percent of farmland in town is utilized for open fields, with the rest covered by forest. Fifty-six percent of farm fields in Orange are not permanently protected, meaning they could be vulnerable to development in the future.
The report also states hay is the commonly grown crop in Orange.
Doherty’s report, presented at Wednesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, states conservation of Orange’s biggest and most important farms is a crucial first step to achieving goals of protecting a town’s open space plan and expanding the town’s role in the regional food economy. Town Administrator Diana Schindler mentioned Orange is in the process of open space planning.
Doherty explained Bradley Kennedy, her predecessor, started the farmland inventory two years ago, figuring out where farms were located and meeting with people, including Kevin Kennedy, Orange’s director of community planning and development. Doherty took over in September 2015 and she analyzed Bradley Kennedy’s data.
The inventory was prepared with support from the Henry P. Kendall Foundation and MassLIFT.
You can reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 258.
On Twitter: @DomenicPoli