To the editor:

We have a treasure in our town. And if we don’t act now, we will lose it.  

It’s the last farm in Barrington, and it's located on Federal Road, next to the Barrington Police and Fire Departments. For the past three years, a group of volunteers have been cultivating and teaching at the property known as Grandfather’s Farm, owned by the Vendituoli family.  

When Mr. Vendituoli was too old to farm himself, he graciously let volunteers led by Barrington’s Tim Faulkner start a program known as the Barrington Farm School. We plant lavender, squash, tomatoes, and more. Local boy scouts from Troop 2 fixed up the farm stand and it operates all summer. We have several bee hives and local honey for sale. Volunteers have taught children and neighbors, the high school environmental club and scouts.  We have sewn more than just seeds; the lessons of tilling, tending, harvesting, and selling impart a sense of community on all who participate.

But the farm is in jeopardy. Mr. Vendituoli passed away in 2016, and the property is up for sale. Discussions are in progress with the Barrington Land Trust, but funds are urgently needed. A local developer has made an 11th-hour offer to buy the farm and turn it into house lots. Please help us save this land and keep it as an active farm and free nature school. Donate here http://blct.org/blct/ (use Save the Farm link) and please share this with your friends to raise awareness. Thank you.

Jennifer Boylan

Barrington