https://ausbonsargent.org/properties/battles-farm-erickson

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Center & Jewett Roads, Bradford

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The 150-acre Battles Farm is a regionally recognized historic New England Farm in Bradford. The history of Battles Farm dates back to Revolutionary War times and Civil War era journals document daily life on the farm. Today, Prime and Statewide agricultural soils support a growing beefalo herd, dairy cows and hay production.
The Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (Ausbon Sargent) along with the Bradford Conservation Commission and the Rural Heritage Connection of Bradford teamed up to raise funds from grants and private contributions to purchase a conservation easement at a discounted price from owners Nita Battles Erickson and Ed Erickson. The property remains in the Ericksons ownership, and they continue to manage the farm and pay property taxes on it, though the easement stipulates that they can no longer subdivide or develop the property. The conservation easement is held and stewarded by Ausbon Sargent who takes on the responsibility of monitoring land use activities on the easement and taking action if prohibited activities occur. The Bradford Conservation Commission and the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program hold back-up interests in the easement.

Battles Farm also boasts nearly a mile of frontage on Hoyt Brook, which meanders through the fields and forests on the conserved land. The brook floods during large rain event, like those we’ve had recently, protecting areas downstream from seeing an even greater volume of water and helping to prevent flooding near the junction of Rtes 103 and 114. The farm is host to a wide variety of wildlife species including woodcock, otter, and turtles which make use of the brook, field, woodland and wetland habitats. The property will remain open to low impact pedestrian recreational use for the public, where it does not interfere with agricultural operations.