The Westport Land Conservation Trust (WLCT) is thrilled to announce the recent preservation of the 32-acre Mouse Mill Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR). The project was a collaboration of the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture (MDAR) APR program and WLCT. The project represents the 10th agricultural project of the Westport Land Conservation Trust in the last 7 years. In addition, WLCT, MDAR, the Town of Westport, and local farmers have preserved over 3,000 acres of farms in Westport!
Consisting of federal and state-designated prime farmland soil, Mouse Mill has been cared for by a local farm family with deep roots in Westport’s agricultural community. The agricultural preservation designation ensures the farm will continue to flourish for years to come, contributing to the local economy and to the unique rural character of Westport.
“We are incredibly grateful to the landowners for their commitment to conservation and for working with WLCT and MDAR, to preserve this valuable agricultural resource,” said Ross Moran, Executive Director. “It is crucial to secure the future of agricultural lands such as Mouse Mill to ensure the continued viability of local agriculture and preserve the rural landscape that defines Westport.”
The Agricultural Preservation Restriction was made possible with funding from Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the U.S. Farm Bill through the USDA, the land owners, and with funding from generous WLCT donors. The future of Westport’s agricultural heritage is brighter thanks to our community’s commitment to land conservation.
Mouse Mill fields in September