To Green Mountain Conservancy, the Land Trust, Mrs Mantel, and any other interested parties:
We're so excited to hear land in our community is going into conservation and about the possiblities the sale of that land opens up for Giant Journey Farm and the greater community.
By adding 2 acres to the farm, they will forever secure their ability to provide food and services for our community through their unconditional designation as a farm under the new statute passed by the legislature this year.
Giant Journey Farm has made a name for ethically and sustainably producing food and educational opportunities on land not typically considered arable. They have taught us that food can be grown anywhere by anyone and the farm is the living testament and proof.
They have however, outgrown their humble space. With an additional 2 acres, Giant Journey Farm could increase their capacity to serve the community with a 25% increase in food production, increase their capacity to invite folks on to the land, and consider viable ways to age in place in the future, all while still leaving the majority of the aquired land forested.
Giant Journey Farm is an exemplary model of non-extractive farming centered on care for the land and the people, and a passion for connecting the two. They regularly teach not only about agricultural topics, but also about native and invasive plants, medicine making, and other land based topics. We have seen how their no-till, regenerative, organic methods have led to measurable improvement in the land and the ecosystem it encompasses.
In order to come to the best possible outcome, everyone's needs must be voiced and considered. As we see it, the purchase of 2 acres will not hinder the needs of either other party but would suit everyone's needs well into the future: Mrs Mantel will still be paid for all 250 acres and the Green Mountain Conservancy will still conserve a massive beautiful parcel of land as planned.
The difference in this proposal is that the whole community will be considered and its food sovereignty and resilience will be maintained as well as recognizing the livelihood and 14 years’ effort of the Burke Dias family. This is a durable win-win-win.
Leasing 1000 sq ft of land simply won't do in the context of the purchase of literal hundreds of acres. As too many farmers unfortunately know, lease of land is not a stable or secure way to tend land; it comes with prohibitions/restrictions, competing priorities that benefit the owner, and always the ever present risk of loss of access even after immense investment.
Giant Journey Farm and the Burke Dias family are neighborly, approachable folks who have served the community with compassion and solidarity. They deserve to continue on in their mission to live a joyful, productive, community based life without the uncertainty of lacking ownership, and rights, on the land they steward.
We fully support the Burke Dias family in purchasing two acres abutting the farm and hope you'll do everything in your power to fascilitate that becoming a reality.
Sincerely,