VIENNA – When Ellen Miller considered the future of the farm where she and her husband, Robert, had lived since 1965, raising a family and enjoying rural life in beautiful Vienna, she discussed the issue with her five grown children. They shared her concern for preserving the property and suggested working with the Kennebec Land Trust toward that goal.

Although she died in 2001, her children followed up on their mother’s wishes: Organic farmers Dave Blanchard and Cindy Rubinfine bought the farm under an easement that ensures both that the land will never be developed and that it will be occupied in its historical use as a working farm.

Trust President Andrew Fisk notes that this is the first time that the organization has been involved in an easement dedicated to agricultural as well as open-space preservation. In accordance with the Millers’ wishes, the deed limits building to the area immediately around the existing house and encourages organic agriculture on the property.

“The Millers, working with KLT and Maine FarmLink, a program of the Maine Farmland Trust, were able to realize their family’s vision. We are delighted to have been able to facilitate this kind of transaction, which brings together concerned parties with similar goals, preserves a historic property and introduces a new organic farm to the area.”

Decades ago, the Millers planted the now stately trees that surround the 18th century farmhouse. Each year they mowed the fields that roll gently down to the pond. Now a new family has moved in to climb the trees, swim in the pond and pursue their dreams for life on Flying Pond Farm.

Holly Miller, speaking on behalf of siblings Lynette, Robin, Rosemary and Peter, expressed satisfaction with the outcome: “We all love the land and have enjoyed much time there. David and Cindy and their three children are a lovely family, and we are really happy they are living there now. The old farm needed new energy.”

Concludes Fisk, “Open space preservation can mean a working landscape, whether the dollars come from agriculture, forestry, or recreation. The KLT, through its work on land conservation, is committed to ensuring that Kennebec County’s rural legacy endures.”

The Kennebec Land Trust, founded in 1988, is a 400-member organization that protects more than 1,700 acres in western Kennebec County. For more information, contact the trust’s office in Winthrop at 207- 377-2848.


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