Rep. Ackert Visits Gunther Farm

Rep. Ackert Visits Gunther Farm

TOLLAND/VERNON– The Tolland County Agricultural Center (TAC) gave State Representative Tim Ackert (R-8) a guided tour of the recently acquired 130-year-old Gunther Farm in Tolland and Vernon this week to present their plans for the open space.

“The acquisition of Gunther Farm is not only great for our communities but will be a great resource for the state of Connecticut and the current organizations and residents that make use of the land already operated by the Tolland County Agricultural Center,” said Rep. Ackert the Ranking Member of the Energy and Technology Committee.

In 2013, the Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT) on behalf TAC was notified through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that DEEP’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program and the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program at NRCS would cover 100% of the funding, $700,000, to protect the land from development and keep it as open space.

This summer, TAC finalized the deal when they acquired the land for $1 from the CFT. TAC plans on creating four additional trials for outdoor activities and plans to start an Incubator Farm Program. Incubator Farm Programs are beginning to spread throughout the country and give residents access to land, capital, and credit and opportunities to learn how to farm.

“I encourage residents to take advantage of the beautiful farm land and the new trails that will hopefully be open next year,” added Rep. Ackert. “I am also excited to see the implementation of an Incubator Farm Program which will provide people interested in farming the necessary resources to learn how to farm. This program will be a win-win opportunity for everyone involved.”

A number of different organizations utilize the open space land operated and protected by TAC including, the University of Connecticut, North Central Conservation District, Eastern Connecticut RC&D, and the Tolland County 4-H Fair Association.

TAC has been in operation for over fifty years, providing the community with an environment for agricultural production education, ecological landscape education, and leadership education.

Photo Caption- Pictured L to R- Floyd Palmer, president of TAC, State Rep. Tim Ackert, and Ross Person manager of TAC

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