Caring for the Land and Providing for the Next Generation of Farmers
Richard and Lucy Burch are amongst the older generation of farmers taking proactive steps to conserve farmland for the benefit of future generations. Their Fort Ann farm, Burch Family Farm, is 365 acres of quality grazing land, woodland habitat and pristine waters that rise from artesian wells and a pond.
Richard and Lucy both come from a long line of farmers. Richard’s family emigrated to Washington County about 250 years ago and Lucy’s family followed a similar path coming to
Vermont. In 1984, Lucy moved to Washington County when good farmland in Vermont was
both too expensive and unavailable to her as a young farmer.
For Richard and Lucy, the family business has always been farming; just not on the same
land as their Burch, Hosley or Smith ancestors. The next generation of Burches has their
own ideas of how to run the family business, including regenerative agriculture, seedstock,
dairy, beef or sheep, horses and bees. What is evident is that sustainability will be a focus for
the future. Whether a Burch descendant or another family operates here, this farm provides
productive land from which to start.
Richard and Lucy are partnering with ASA to create opportunities for future generations to
farm. The Burches say, “Conservation is in our hearts. It is with great joy that we are able to
conserve our farm ensuring a good land base for agriculture going forward.”
"Conservation is in our hearts. It is with great joy that we are able to conserve our farm.” —The Burches
Funding for the Burch Family Farm project was provided by a grant through the State Farmland Implementation Program administered by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
