Walt’s Farm aka Pietrzyk Farm
439 Briggs Road
Veteran of the Korean War and orchardist, Walter Pietrzyk, spent six decades cultivating six separate varieties of apple at his family farm on Briggs Road.
Westport Land Conservation Trust (WLCT) has a unique opportunity to preserve Walt’s Farm at 439 Briggs Road (aka Pietrzyk Farm). Recently, this farm was listed for sale and has a buyer with plans to develop it. The Town of Westport sought us out as a partner in potentially protecting this special farmland.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides landowners who actively farm their land an opportunity for reduced real estate taxes. In exchange for lower taxes, the landowner grants the municipality right to match an offer to purchase the land if it is sold while in the tax program. The Town can also assign that right to a non-profit that has a mission to protect the farmland. If a Town decides to match an offer, it can only acquire and protect the land for farming. The Pietrzyk Farm is enrolled in this real estate tax program.
The Town of Westport reached out to WLCT with the potential to work together to purchase the farm, permanently protect it with a Conservation Restriction focused on agriculture, and resell it to a qualified farmer to farm the land. The Board of Selectmen made this decision on January 19th, 2021 and WLCT is beginning the process of obtaining more information about the property’s history. More information will become available as the project progresses.
Westport officials have endorsed this project based on the feedback they received from constituents. Selectboard member Brian Valcourt describes the property as a: “small neighborhood farm stand with a large impact on the community. Generations of kids growing up in the north end of town had Walt’s Fruit Stand. We all remember his strawberries, the sweetest we have ever tasted, or his apples, pears, peaches and plums. We remember his smile, and those of his family who all worked the stand over the years. With his passing a void was left that could not be filled- it is part of the fabric of our community. I hope that you all share my enthusiasm at the prospect of saving this iconic farm for generations to come.”
One of more than 50 fruit trees cultivated for decades by Walter Pietrzyk before his passing in 2020 at the age of ninety.
Generations of kids growing up in the north end of town had Walt’s Fruit Stand. We all remember his strawberries, the sweetest we have ever tasted, or his apples, pears, peaches and plums. We remember his smile, and those of his family who all worked the stand over the years.
Along with Westport’s Selectboard, this farmland preservation project has been endorsed by elected officials at the State House. Representative from Bristol County and local farmer, Paul Schmid, believes that “farming is in Westport’s DNA,” and that “this small farm will continue to produce natures bounty and bring joy to its neighbors.”
State Senator Michael Rodrigues, who is originally from the Sanford/Briggs Road neighborhood, has also been vocal in his support for the project:
“I literally grew up next door to Walt’s Farm. I have vivid memories of getting on the school bus in the morning and seeing Walt on his hands and knees, working the farm. When I got off the bus at the end of the day, he’d still be hard at work. It is incredibly important to preserve this piece of agricultural history in Westport’s north end. I fully support the Westport Land Conservation Trust and the Town of Westport’s efforts to protect it.”
I literally grew up next door to Walt’s Farm. I have vivid memories of getting on the school bus in the morning and seeing Walt on his hands and knees, working the farm. When I got off the bus at the end of the day, he’d still be hard at work. It is incredibly important to preserve this piece of agricultural history in Westport’s north end.
More than 100 high-bush blueberries at the Pietrzyk Farm are in need of winter pruning and the steady hand of a dedicated farmer.
WLCT has partnered with the Town to protect critical agricultural resources such as Orr’s Farmstand, the Santos Farm and the Oscar Palmer Farm. WLCT looks forward to partnering with the Town of Westport and doing our best to preserve the legacy of local production on the farm. You can reach us at (508) 636-9228 for more information.