Dedicated to protecting the land essential to Sheffield’s natural, scenic, agricultural and rural character
The Sheffield Land Trust
"People & Land"
P.O. Box 940, 404 LeGeyt Road, Sheffield, MA 01257-0940
Phone: 413 229-0234; Fax: 413 229-0239; shefland@bcn.net

SLT Current Landscape Initiatives

Sheffield-Egremont Agricultural, Ecological & Scenic Corridor toward the protection of one of the most iconic landscapes in the region and a rare intact agricultural landscape that is essential to support the local and regional agricultural economy.

  • Phase II Projects
  • Maple Shade Farm - for the preservation of 120 acres of agricultural fields, wildlife habitat and stunning views along Sheffield-Egremont and Lime Kiln Roads cherished by local residents and visitors to the Berkshires alike.

    Western Anchor - for the preservation of key forest and wildlife habitat anchoring the western end of the Corridor near and along Route 41 and the Taconic Mountains.

    Phase I Projects
  • Equinox Farm & Wild and Cultivated - for the protection of two farms – Equinox and Wild & Cultivated – and 112 acres of productive farmland, upland forest for a nature preserve, and affordable farm housing.

  • Quarry Hill Farm - to protect 186 acres of working farmland, riparian buffers, wetlands and wildlife habitat and prevent fragmentation of the Appalachian Trail Corridor viewshed.

Community Recreational & Educational Trail Network toward the acquisition and stewardship of trail properties and easements, including the Cosgriff and Dohoney properties near the Southern Berkshire Regional School District campus and within the Schenob Brook Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), to provide a network of public walking paths for town residents and an educational and recreational resource for students.

Housatonic River Agricultural & Ecological Corridor to preserve a riparian corridor and watershed including extensive blocks of farmland and wildlife habitat on both sides of the Housatonic River, much of which is an historic landscape dating back to early Sheffield.

  • Balsam Hill Farm - for the preservation of a 153-acre farm and riparian buffer along the Housatonic River on Hewins Street and Maple Avenue.

  • Brunnschweiler Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) - for the preservation of 299 acres of tillable farmland, pasture, woodland, ponds and wetland including farm buildings and extensive frontage along the Housatonic River to help support one of the state's largest dairy operations.

  • Egerton Family Farm - for the preservation of 67 acres of prime agricultural bottom land along the Housatonic River and Route 7.

  • Wolfe Spring Farm - for the preservation of 52 acres of farmland and wildlife habitat along the Housatonic River on Hewins Street.

  • Howden Farm - for the preservation of a 247-acre historic farm along Rannapo Road which produces the famous Howden pumpkins as well as sweet corn and “you-pick” berries.
Sheffield-Egremont Agricultural, Ecological & Scenic Corridor
Project
Cost
Community
Share
Donation/
Pledges
# of Gifts
Equinox Farm & Wild and Cultivated:
1,391,000
237,000
237,000
59
Quarry Hill Farm:
1,433,000
153,000
153,000
6
          Total Phase I:
2,824,000
390,000
390,000
65
Maple Shade Farm:
2,424,000
1,414,000
1,345,462
133
Curtiss II Western Anchor:
1,370,000
532,000
501,194
54
          Total Phase II:
3,794,000
1,946,000
1,846,656
187
Bow Wow Farm:
2,110,000
579,000
0
0
Curtiss III Western Anchor:
1,766,000
735,000
0
0
Conservation Restrictions/In Fee:
457,000
238,000
0
0
          Total Phase III:
4,333,000
1,552,000
0
0
Total Sheffield Egremont Corridor:
10,951,000
3,888,000
2,236,656
252
Schenob Brook Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Project
Cost
Community
Share
Donation/
Pledges
# of Gifts
Cosgriff & Dohoney Trail Properties:
353,000
296,000
84,247
26
Total Community Trail Network:
353,000
296,000
84,247
26
Housatonic River Agricultural & Ecological Corridor
Project
Cost
Community
Share
Donation/
Pledges
# of Gifts
Balsam Hill Farm:
921,000
157,000
66,183
54
Brunnschweiler-Aragi APR:
1,021,000
123,000
5,000
1
Egerton Family Farm:
567,000
139,000
10,134
18
Wolfe Spring Farm:
1,319,000
366,000
244,904
87
Howden Farm:
1,698,000
212,000
212,000
81
Total Housatonic River Corridor:
5,526,000
997,000
538,221
241
TOTAL ALL PROJECTS:
16,830,000
5,181,000
2,859,124
519