Farmland Preserved in Seekonk

The following is an edited release from the Seekonk Land Trust:

Arthur and Lucretia Yaghjian were honored Wednesday for their and Arthur's siblings successful pursuit to preserve their farmland on South Wheaton Avenue in Seekonk.

Individuals representing the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Seekonk Land Conservation Trust, Seekonk Conservation Commission, the Trustees of Reservations and others celebrated the Yaghjian family with a Sweet Thing Magnolia for preserving their farmland. The plant was donated by Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth.

The four Yaghjian siblings grew up on the property, 30 acres of farm fields and forest, and developed a strong connection to the land. When their parents died, Arthur Yaghjian, the oldest, pursued conservation options by contacting the Seekonk Land Conservation Trust and the state's Agricultural Preservation Restriction program.

The property was accepted into the APR program, which offers a non-development alternative to owners of land with good farming soils by purchasing the development rights to the property. The process took nearly two years, but the Agricultural Preservation Restriction was recorded in June, permanently preserving the land for agriculture.

"It was fantastic to see Seekonk's support for preserving this farmland throughout the process," said Chris Chisholm of the Department of Agricultural Resources, who also noted that this is the first APR in Seekonk.

The Seekonk Land Trust and the Seekonk Conservation Commission supported the project early on and facilitated the project going before Town Meeting last November to get approval for funding from the Seekonk Community Preservation Committee. Town Meeting approved funding with a near-unanimous vote.

"Arthur Yaghjian and I walked the property years ago," said Willit Mason of the Seekonk Land Trust. "It's not only beautiful land to preserve, but important to keep farming going in this region."

Richard Wallace, chair of Seekonk's Conservation Commission, added, "Only the hard work of all individuals involved made the preservation of this farm possible. The Conservation Commission is proud to be a part of the first APR in Seekonk. Preserving farm land and open space is essential to maintaining the quality of Seekonk's rural character."

The value of the APR, or the value of the development rights, on the South Wheaton Avenue property was $480,000. The DAR provided $300,000, or $10,000 per acre, and Seekonk Town Meeting approved providing the balance of the value, $180,000, with Community Preservation Committee funds. The Farmland and Ranchland Protection Program of the U.S Department of Agriculture will reimburse the APR program $240,000 to assist in this acquisition. The Yaghjian family still owns the property, which is farmed for vegetables by a local farmer.

"This was a partnership project through and through," said added Kelley Whitmore of The Trustees of Reservations. "Many assisted with this effort, not the least of which would be the Yaghjian family. Thanks to everyone—preserving this land is certainly worth celebrating." 

After many handshakes and further words of appreciation, Wallace closed with, "A special thanks to the Yaghjian family for seeing and sticking with this journey."