Country Strong

Too often communities tend to focus their limited resources on developing land versus preserving or promoting agriculture. Both have their pluses, but only agriculture provides sustainability in terms of municipal finance, food security, and preservation of open space and natural resources – which can be appreciated by all.

Lebanon is farm country! Its historical and agricultural roots are inseparable. Lebanon farms continue to provide food and fiber necessary to support the masses, just as it did at the time of our Nation's founding. Farmland preservation and the Town of Lebanon are also entwined. It is New England's leader in farmland conservation with almost 50 farms (5,000 acres) preserved – and growing.

Our Town has long recognized that farming is a business and that agricultural planning should be an integral part of its overall community-building effort that includes economic and sustainable development, open space and conservation planning, and fiscallyresponsible growth.

As a result, Lebanon embraces New Ruralism concepts such as nurturing a healthy environment for farms; creating large, permanent agricultural easements; adopting zoning that promotes agriculture as a principle land use; identifying itself as an agricultural community; promoting local farm products; facilitating local farm sales at its farmers’ market; and, promoting public agrarian events such as its annual Country Fair.

The Town formally established its local agricultural preservation program in 2006 – hiring staff to work with policy makers to develop and implement the program and work closely with the farming community, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service-United States Department of Agriculture (NRCS-USDA), Connecticut Farmland Trust, and other likeminded groups. Throughout the past decade, the Town has preserved 26 farms (2,300 acres), half of which in partnership with Connecticut Farmland Trust.

Lebanon has conducted numerous studies, surveys, and outreach sessions that help demonstrate community interest in farming. It has adopted a rightto-farm ordinance; established and runs a successful farmers' market; passed optional tax reduction

programs to promote agriculture; and, regularly sets aside funds for farmland safeguarding and promotion. The Town works closely with farmers and their families to assure that their longterm land protection wishes are realized.

In addition, the Town amended the zoning regulations to include the “promotion and protection of existing agricultural uses and prime and important farmland soils” as the number one purpose of its zoning; defined “open space” to be synonymous with agriculture;” identified agriculture as a principle or primary land use in most zoning districts; mandated cluster development” to assure

open space is set aside to be used for agriculture; and, created agricultural (no-build) buffers” when subdivisions are proposed adjacent to active farmland.

Our Town is always looking for new and innovative techniques to promote cultivation – understanding that farms require limited municipal services, provide employment and necessary goods, are stable for the environment, and help protect Lebanon's scenic landscape. Town entrance signs read “"preserving our history and agriculture" and you can find bumper stickers that say“"Lebanon, Farm Country."”

Due to its robust preservation program, Lebanon received the 2015 Community of the Year Award from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association “in recognition of its on-going efforts to preserve its agricultural-based economy and Town character”.

Lebanon looks forward to greeting new farm businesses that move into Town as well as assisting existing farms. Treating farm businesses with respect requires a positive government approach toward agriculture, and the farming community knows that Lebanon will always have a friendly Town Hall environment!

By Philip S. Chester, AICP

Carla McElroy photos