Last night the Town of Granby’s Town-Owned Land Study Committee held a public meeting to solicit ideas about what to do with 107 East Street (formerly the Evonsian Farm), a property recently acquired by the town.  I felt so grateful to hear so many residents of our town speak in support of farming in Granby.  Here are the comments I made:

“I’d like to see the land stay as it is right now (in corn).  I know you’ve been charged with coming up with a purpose for this newly acquired town asset, but let’s not forget: this land is not new, just new to the town.  The farmers who owned it and their neighbors have been farming this land for years.

“Keeping land in farmland is important to keeping the rural nature of our town and staying true to its farming heritage.  Granby can’t FEEL like a farm town if we aren’t actually farming.  The reason our town feels like a farm town – different from others – is because we drive past acres of corn growing, farmers making hay in the summertime, cattle and horses grazing in fields, row after row of vegetables growing, and old apple trees heavy with fruit.

“The farmers who are currently using this land need it.  They grow food for their animals who in turn grow food for us.  I’d like to see the town let them continue.”

There is still time to give your opinion on how this property should be used.  A survey will be available April 1st on the town’s website, granby-ct.gov.  Fill it out and let the them know what you value in our town.