Farmland To Lease Or To Farm

Farmers now have a new guide to help them identify available land for farming and acreage for leasing.

The University of Connecticut and the American Farmland Trust (AFT) produce the resource for farmers and landowners in a state that has the third highest farm real estate values in the nation.

"We hope this guide will serve to connect those looking for farmland with those with farmland to lease," said Cris Coffin, director of AFT New England division. "Whether it's 5 acres or 100, farmland leased by communities, land trusts and institutions to farmers, or used for community farms, can help grow Connecticut's farms, food and economy."

For more information call (860) 683-4230, or visit www.farmland.org and www.workinglandsalliance.org.

Wethersfield Sets Date for Wilkus Farm Vote

The Wethersfield Town Council has set May 12 as the date for a referendum on the purchase of the Wilkus Farm property and house. The vote will take place at all polling operations from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The council had previously approved the purchase of the property for $3.5 million, $490,000 of which would be covered by a state grant.

The purchase was approved, but a group of residents petitioned to take it to referendum.

The property consists of 81 acres, 24 on the east side of Willow Street, 22 or so acres on the west side of the road and 34-plus acres on Thornbrush Road.