Purpose
History
Current Activities
Financial Information
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Statement of Purpose:
Cold Pond Community Land Trust (CPCLT) is governed by two primary objectives:
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Providing an opportunity for low and moderate income people to derive a livelihood from farming in a community setting.
- Serving as an educational resource for sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
Cold Pond Community Land Trust’s Guiding Principles:
Residents, board members and volunteers who work and/or live on the land trust desire to create a community that is dedicated to:
• Maintaining the diversified integrity of the ecosystem
• Promoting and implementing the production of local foods
• Providing a safe, healthy, balanced, respectful environment
• Honoring the needs and aspirations of residents in our actions and decisions
• Serving as an inspiration and resource for residents, visitors and the greater community
• Governing that is democratic and based on equality, clarity and fairness
• Being active community members in Acworth and the greater community
• Being financially viable
• Promoting access to farm, forestland and housing that is affordable and preserving the quality and affordability of land/housing for future residents of CPCLT
To implement these principles, CPCLT members are committed to forging respectful communication systems where the input of all individuals is encouraged and received; implementing effective planning procedures that allow issues and projects to be addressed in a pro-active, democratic fashion and followed through to their successful completion; generating financial resources to meet the needs of the land trust and the families who work and reside there, respecting the natural environment and reaching out to the surrounding communities to educate people about sustainable agriculture and the benefits of locally produced foods.
Formed on May 19, 2000, Cold Pond Community Land Trust (CPCLT) is an organization in which the resources of our forest and farmland, watershed, wildlife habitat and open space are made available to residents and community members. Our non-profit status assures that this land can be kept available for current and future residents to live on and enjoy. Strengthening the local community and protecting the environment are of paramount importance to the land trust.
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Current Activities:
• Educational Programs:
CPCLT has successfully administered and implemented hands-on educational opportunities and programs to children and adults in the area. Seasonal visits, workshops and farm camps for kids and teens are all successfully used to demonstrate the importance of strong diversified farms. Program highlights include a community garden where elementary students learned where their food comes from and take part in production; guided pasture walks and other educational events and demonstrations.
Garden Meals
• Apprenticeship:
The Farm Apprentice Program, which began in 1993, continues to evolve and expand. The apprentices are valued for their addition to our farm community and are important because they are the next generation of sustainable farmers. The apprentices are exposed to all the changing seasonal activities on our farm. They work directly with the farmers on a daily basis, practicing the skills and techniques required of successful farm managers. Applicant demand far exceeds available accommodations.
Goals
The Cold Pond Community Land Trust and Farm work together to further the purposed outlined above. Reclaiming the land available for farmers and residents is a priority. We are actively seeking other residents and supporters to further these goals.
Regional Overview
The Cold Pond Community Land Trust is located in the town of Acworth, in southwest New Hampshire, 9 miles west of the Connecticut River. Acworth has a population of over 800 people spread out over nearly 40, very beautiful square miles. Many of the residents of Acworth are self-employed and work from their homes. The people of Acworth are economically and politically diverse and share a great affinity for their small town. The post office, church, school, library and Village Store are popular meeting places which foster a unique sense of community here.
Cold Pond Community members have been active participants in many aspects of the wider community of Acworth as volunteers at the Store, and with the fire and rescue squad, as members of various town committees, and special event organizers. Our friendships and activities stretch beyond Acworth into the nearby communities of Unity, Alstead, Langdon, Charlestown, Claremont, Newport, and Keene, NH as well as Bellows Falls and Springfield, and Putney, and Brattleboro, VT.
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Financial Information:
Cold Pond Community Land Trust is a non-profit corporation registered in the State Of New Hampshire since April 2000. CPCLT has a twelve member board of directors representing residents, general public and other community interests. The directors are charged with maintaining financial stability, overseeing land use practices, and implementing broader policy goals. Board meetings are held monthly.
Residential and agricultural/forestry leases are legal documents signed by the board and are 99 year, renewable, inheritable. Terms of the lease are clearly defined in the printed lease agreements and broadly define allowable uses. Residents can not be removed from the land if they comply with the terms of the lease. The lease fees bills are sent out monthly and the money collected from leases is used to meet land trust expenses, which include taxes, insurance, administrative overhead and debt service. The debt was incurred as a result of purchasing the land which is used by the residents and farmers. Repayment of this debt requires the efforts of all board members and residents and as a community, we are currently involved in major fundraising planning and implementation.
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