Rocky Hill is buying up land to preserve a legacy.
The town council unanimously approved the purchase of development rights for the Hayes Farm for $2 million. The purchase is intended to keep the place--which has been a working family farm for 150 years--a working farm.
Three generations of the family who owns the farm and two former mayors are all on board. The farm will continue to be a family enterprise, but with government backing. If the family ever decides to sell the farm, it must be maintained for agricultural use.
The acquisition marks the first under the $10 million bond authorization approved by voters in November 2012 to preserve the town's dwindling farmlands and open space.
Fran, his brother John and their cousin Tim Sacerdote are all fifth-generation family members, and the brothers farm the property with Sacerdote's assistance. The acreage remains in the hands of the fourth generation, the five daughters of Harry J. Hayes and Anne Hayes, who died in Sept. 2012.
The Hayes family farm raises more than 50 cows, hundreds of chickens and even some piglets. The family has farmed the property since 1868. For decades, Harry J. Hayes, who died in 1990, operated a dairy farm with two brothers. His wife Anne's seasonal vegetable stand became the place to go for local fresh produce.
"It was seven days a week. There was never a day off even if we were sick, they had to go, so we just grew up loving the farm," said Betty Hayes.
Betty Hayes is one of the fourth-generation Hayes sisters who owns the nearly 45-acre parcel.
"What my sisters and I wanted to do is to preserve the land, because my parents wanted us to preserve the land. We always knew my parents wanted this to be a farm," said Hayes.
Frances Whalen, a fifth generation family member who farms the land, added, "It's a win for our family, so we continue farming here and it`s a win for the town of Rocky Hill and the people in our area to get fresh meats, vegetables, milk made here locally here in Rocky Hill."
In the coming years the family hopes to construct a permanent farm store and add educational programs for kids.
In addition to the acreage on both sides of Hayes Road, which is covered by the development rights agreement, the family farms 10 acres in the meadows along the Connecticut River.