Conserve Coveland Farm
You can help us conserve some of the last remaining undeveloped farmland on the shores of Bow Lake!
Help preserve history
Bear-Paw Regional Greenways has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conserve this beautiful, historic farmland property overlooking Bow Lake. Rick and Maggie, the owners of Coveland Farm, sought out Bear-Paw to help them with their conservation goals for the property: They want to protect their family farm and the future of farming on this land. To do this, Bear-Paw will place a conservation easement on the property. This will prohibit further subdivision or development of the land while still allowing for agricultural operations. The land will remain under the ownership of Rick and Maggie, and the conservation easement will run with this land in perpetuity (forever)!
The time is NOW!
We are in a race for conservation and must act on this now. In the next ten years, farmland like this will either be conserved or developed. We need to raise the funds by the fall of 2024 to take advantage of this opportunity. Ensure this historic and scenic vista remains, and keep farming alive and well in Strafford!
-
History
This fifth-generation working farm on the shores of Bow Lake in Strafford, New Hampshire has been owned and operated by the family since 1917. Rick and Maggie want to save what is left of their family farm from development. By conserving this farm, we keep this exceptional property undeveloped and available as a working farm for future generations.
-
Shoreline Buffer
Coveland Farm has a healthy shoreline buffer protecting the lake, approximately 200 feet of small trees and shrubs that benefit birds and Bow Lake. This property also includes approximately 450 feet of stream frontage and 300 feet of lake shoreline, the longest remaining stretch of undeveloped shoreline: it packs a lot of diversity into a small space! Sadly, Strafford's beloved Bow Lake is being loved to death with the ever-increasing Cyanobacteria blooms; preserving Coveland Farm will help mitigate these issues in Bow Lake.
-
Scenic Beauty
Preserving waterfront land has become nearly impossible for most families, and yet it couldn’t be a more critical effort in slowing the degradation of our water bodies. It is rare to find land that has been in the family for so many generations with development pressures closing in from all sides. Conserving Coveland Farm means keeping this rural and scenic view for all to enjoy.
-
Farm Land
Growing up, Rick’s grandparents always had sheep. When he and Maggie moved to the property, they were excited to bring them back to the land. Their first Horned Dorset sheep came in 1999 and since then, this heritage breed has become an integral part of the farm. Between Rick's sheep and Maggie's garden, this small-scale sheep farm provides lots of lovely goods to the community.
-
Community
Still putting up loose hay with the help of their friends and neighbors. Coveland Farm provides a place where people can connect to the land where food is grown and participate in agriculture. This hay helps feed the sheep, which in turn provides materials to their community.
-
Past to Future
Memorable moments have been captured for decades. Rick and Maggie want to protect their family farm and the future of farming on this land. Help Bear-Paw preserve Coveland Farm. (Picture of Rick as a boy)
