Preserving Our Agricultural Heritage

The Bread and Butter Farm is located on more than 500 acres of land on the eastern border of South Burlington and Shelburne. This land was once part of several family farms and, while it might have been sold for development, it is now conserved for agricultural use. The Farm has many facets, including a beef herd, pigs, chickens, green houses, a CSA and the Farm Store. The Farm hosts many educational programs, public events, and is planning to develop walking trails open to the public. SBLT advocated and lent financial support to facilitate the preservation of this land as agricultural landscape.

Conservation of The Leduc Family Farm

Oftentimes, land conservation projects take many years and start tentatively and quietly. That was the way it was for the Leduc Farm, on Cheese Factory Rd. in So. Burlington and Shelburne. In the years around 2000, a neighbor began learning more about the Vermont Land Trust's work and she would occasionally pass on information about conservation mechanisms to Leduc family members. In 2003 the SBLT was founded and connections were made with our counterparts in Shelburne, the Shelburne Natural Resources Committee.

Coincidentally, this was the time when the Leduc's were reaching retirement age and, without obvious successors for the farm, were looking to sell the land. Leaders of SBLT, Shelburne Natural Resources and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) met several times with the family to discuss conservation options for 143 acres during 2003-5. Eventually, VLT replaced TPL at the table and options for agriculture to continue through their Young Farmers Program emerged. A partnership was put together of VLT, the City of South Burlington Conservation Fund, the Shelburne Conservation Fund, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB), the Castenea Fund and the SBLT, which led to funding the $2M project, along with an affordable price being asked of the new farmers. VLT put out an RFP request for interested people to apply and submit a business plan. VLT chose Corie Pierce and her then business partner Adam Wilson to be the new owners and Bread and Butter Farm was born in 2009.

The Bread and Butter Farm has grown and changed over the years, but has remained very successful through its many offerings: A bakery, a dairy, Burger Night, a beef herd, pigs, chickens, green houses, a CSA, school programs and kids' camps, the Farm Store, the Blank Page Cafe, concerts and private events, farmer training courses, Music for Sprouts etc. The evolution continues and the Leduc family still participate as they wish.

Conservation of The Auclair Family Farm

Adjacent to the farm, lies the former land of the Auclair family, also multi-generational dairy farmers on three sides of the intersection of Cheese Factory Rd. and Hinesburg Rd. When the patriarch died, VLT worked with the family in 2012 on conservation options, but nothing worked out at the time. In late 2017, For Sale signs appeared on the land and people feared the worst. Corie Pierce of Bread and Butter Farm and her current farm staff had held a dream of expanding the operation to this land, but there were many hurdles. The VLT got reinvolved and a huge effort was put forth in a short time, to put together a concept. Again, partners emerged: the City of South Burlington's Open Space Fund, VLT funding, Dirt Capital and the SBLT. Conservation easements are now in place for natural resources and agricultural uses on the 375 total acres. Eventually, Bread and Butter Farm hopes to lease the land from an agrarian trust which is currently being established. The “Agrihood Collective”, comprised of six local agricultural enterprises will be part of this plan. In addition to the agricultural land, a small amount of land has been set aside for affordable farmer housing. The City hopes for public walking trails and has saved the costs of services which would have followed a development of over 200 homes. The Farm is improving the land, to return it to organic, sustainable status, through grazing.

Meeting Our Conservation Goals

The conservation of these over 500 acres, plus other conserved acreage in the immediate area, has met the goal of keeping this corner of the City in open space and natural resources. The Farm is a community destination which many enjoy. Saving this land helps the City contribute its bit to offset global climate change. The City could eventually provide for a large percentage of local food needs if necessary. It takes vision and courage for individuals and organizations to make this outcome possible. Timing, patience and faith all played their part.