Holcomb Farm Transition Nearing Completion

The town of Granby and are close to completing the process that transitions the farm’s operation and management directly to the town as a final memorandum of understanding between the two organizations has been issued.

Holcomb Farm’s loss of state educational grants worth more than $200,000 per year in June 2011 was a major factor necessitating the change in management. The town took over the farm’s assets, maintenance requirements and utilities on April 1, following a temporary memorandum allowing the town to operate the farm that was approved in late February.

The Granby Board of Selectmen reviewed the final memorandum at its meeting Tuesday, noting some of the specifics of the operation. The farm’s plan of use, in place since 1993, will still be the guiding principle in its operation. The four focuses of that plan are education, agriculture, arts and recreation.

The Friends of Holcomb Farm, the non-profit group that previously ran the farm, will still manage tillable land and grow crops for charitable programs and the community-supported agriculture (CSA) share program. Although the long-term future of the CSA program hasn’t been determined, it will continue for the next few years.

The farm’s fundraising activities will continue as will its raising of agricultural awareness amongst town residents. First Selectman John Adams specifically said a component of the farm’s operation will be advancing the interests of other farms in Granby and of farming in the area.

“[The Friends of Holcomb Farm] will continue its historic … role of helping raise funds for capital improvements and Town programs,” the memorandum said.

While the town will now pay the farm’s operating costs, with a rough estimate of $50,000 a year given, the farm will also generate income through its programs and offerings, as well as possible renting of the facility for events. Town services above and beyond regular maintenance and repair rendered for the farm will be provided on a reimbursable basis. Town Manager William Smith said he is working to limit direct spending of tax dollars on the farm’s operations.

The Friends of Holcomb Farm had leased the lands of the approximately 300-acre farm from the town since 1993. The loss of the educational grant forced the group to . .

Besides the loss of a very significant revenue stream, . A recent study of the farms arable land said those lands needed to be used less to remain sustainable, according to The Friends of Holcomb Farm. Additionally, the farm’s top two operations managers left in March.

Holcomb Farm has been a Granby municipal property since 1990, following a transfer of the land from the University of Connecticut to the town. Tudor and Laura Holcomb had previously donated the farm to the university.