Sharon Land Trust Protects 112 Acres of Farmland

Sharon, CT – January 12, 2026 – The Sharon Land Trust has partnered with a local landowner to complete an agricultural easement protecting 112 acres of historic farmland along Gay Street in Sharon, CT. Finalized at the end of December, the easement ensures that this working landscape will remain available for agriculture and open space forever, safeguarding an important piece of Northwest Connecticut’s rural character and food-producing capacity.

The conserved property has been a working farm since the 1930s and includes expansive open fields with approximately 70 acres of prime farmland, including farmland soils of statewide importance. These soils represent some of Connecticut’s most productive agricultural land. 

“Farmland across Connecticut is disappearing at an alarming rate,” said Allen Reiser, Acquisitions Chair and Vice President of the Sharon Land Trust. “When we lose working farmland, we lose far more than open views—we lose local food production, agricultural knowledge, and the working landscapes that have shaped our communities for generations. Protecting land like this helps ensure that farming remains a viable part of Connecticut’s future.”  

Across Connecticut, rising land values and development pressure have made it increasingly difficult to keep farmland in active use. Agricultural conservation easements are an effective tool for addressing this challenge, permanently protecting land for farming while keeping it in private ownership and productive use.

“This project reflects the kind of conservation that is especially important in Northwest Connecticut,” said Carolyn Klocker, Sharon Land Trust Executive Director. “By protecting productive farmland within a broader landscape of conserved land, we are preserving local agriculture while also supporting wildlife habitat, scenic views, and long-term ecological health.”

The Sharon Land Trust is grateful to Carol Flaton for her commitment to conservation and for partnering to permanently protect this land.  Projects like this underscore the importance of working collaboratively with landowners to ensure that Sharon’s farms and open landscapes remain a vital part of the community for generations to come.