Conserved Working Farms

The icons on the map below lead you toward nine working farms that RRCT has helped conserve with forever farm conservation easements, as well as other farms in the Royal River watershed similarly protected by the Maine Farmland Trust and the Freeport Conservation Trust. In addition to the farms on this map, RRCT holds another four conservation easements in North Yarmouth and Pownal that allow agriculture in the future, and today produce hay or family gardens, or support equestrian uses. With Maine Farmland Trust, we are working on one new project: the planned River Elf Conservation Easement in New Gloucester to close in 2023.

Forever farm conservation easements — or agricultural conservation easements — are deeded permanent guarantees held by RRCT or other land trusts, guaranteeing that the farm will be forever available for agriculture. By enforced deeds, no development is allowed on the property beyond deeded terms. The farms typically remain privately owned by private farmers.

Once RRCT has accepted a conservation easement on a farm, our obligation and responsibility is to visit the property at least once a year to ensure that the farm continues to live under the terms of the conservation easement. We work closely with farmers, providing technical assistance and supporting their efforts toward thriving Maine farms.