The latest happenings at the Goss Farm and their search for a town farmer, from Rye Eats Local:
News on Goss Farm
There has been a good deal of progress over the past year and many projects have been undertaken to prepare the Goss Farm so that it will be available for productive farming in the near future. The Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD) holds the conservation easement on the property, and has partnered with the Rye Conservation Commission to achieve considerable land management objectives. Through funding assistance from the NH State Conservation Committee (NH SCC), Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP), and the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, Integrated Pest Management Program (NH DAMF) a remarkable amount of work has been completed to ready the land. There is still more work to complete here.
A big thank you goes out to all our local volunteers and to the town staff that have assisted in this clean-up process. There will be more workshops offered to local schools and the community for continued land management objectives in the spring. Now that water is available on site, it is expected that community garden plots will be offered this spring.
Now onto the barn – the Goss Barn is in need of serious repair. It is a beautiful historic community asset, and is now listed on the NH State Register of Historic Places. It is not a safe structure, and in need of a roof, footings, main post replacement(s), floorboards, windows, etc., and the southern shed will need to be completed rehabilitated. Assistance from NH LCHIP has been requested, but before the snow flies the roof needs to be tarped and the underpinnings replaced. We are currently looking for a donation of a tarp, and perhaps discounted labor to install it. All this is needed prior to installing a new roof, which is expected to occur next spring/summer.
Please assist in protecting and restoring this wonderful community asset and contribute to the Rye Conservation Commission (Goss Farm account) to restore this magnificent structure so that it may once again be used. The intent is to allow a farmer use of the barn for farming and a possible CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). If the structure is rehabilitated in time, it will be a legacy the community will be proud of for many generations. The Goss Farm is under the auspices of the Rye Conservation Commission and qualifies as a tax exempt organization. As such, donations of services, money, and materials may be tax deductible. Anyone interested in donations, please contact me or email: [email protected] and we will assist with required paperwork through the town.
We are grateful for the support that we continue to receive from residents that have assisted with donations and labor, and hope that everyone will visit and enjoy this incredible town treasure.
Goss Farm Announcement
For spring of 2012, the Rye Conservation Commission and subcommittee are looking for a local farmer to farm using sustainable practices acreage at the newly protected Goss Community Farm in Rye, NH. Interested in working with local farmers’ market, community and school gardens on site is a must. No housing currently offered. Water is available on site, and there may be availability for a high tunnel. Contact Rye Selectmen’s office (964-5523). Please provide possible dates and interest in a site meeting/discussion. For any questions or additional information contact: [email protected].
For more information: www.ryeturninggreen.com