One of Great Barrington’s most beautiful views protected, thanks to you
The tidy rows of winterberry, blueberries and apple trees of Windy Hill Farm are a lovely sight along Route 7 in Great Barrington. Thanks to you, Windy Hill is preserved in perpetuity.
Last december, with your help, dennis and Judy Mareb completed the sale of an Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) on Windy Hill Farm. dennis and Judy were just out of college in 1980 when they purchased an abandoned dairy farm that was being eyed for residential development. Inspired by the views, the Marebs had a different future in mind.
Six years later, Windy Hill opened to the public, with flowering hillsides and tree limbs sagging with fruit. The farm and garden center now employs 25-30 full- and part-time employees and is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year.
By selling an APR to the State, farmers preserve their land while retaining ownership and the right to farm. The Mass APR program combines State and Federal funds with local donations to acquire the restrictions. To date, the Massachusetts APR program has permanently protected over 900 farms and more than 73,000 acres.
“We’ve been so lucky that we’ve been able to make a living on the land and support so many families who work with us and for us. I’m really proud of that. It’s been a real joy.” —Dennis Mareb
Part of the challenge of an APR is finding the money to purchase the development rights so the land can stay in farming forever, and you were there to help when the state’s offer was below the appraised value.
The Town of Great Barrington, through its Community Preservation Committee, along with BNRC donors, made up much of the difference, and the Marebs left a hefty amount “on the table,” essentially donating the rest. This generosity protects important jobs, prime agricultural soil, and beautiful scenery at the entrance to Great Barrington.
This gorgeous farm wouldn’t have been protected without an unwavering commitment from the Marebs, and without you.