Old Barn Farm Project will Protect 34 Acres in Boxford & North Andover

Greenbelt is currently engaged in a campaign to permanently protect approximately 34 acres of vital farmland, wildlife habitat, wetlands, and scenic open space in the communities of Boxford and North Andover. This land is currently under real threat of development.

Now referred to as Old Barn Farm, the property represents nearly one-third of the remaining unprotected farmland acreage at Barker Farm — a historic working farm and orchard that has operated continuously since 1642 and is considered one of the oldest agricultural enterprises in the United States. Today, Barker Farm continues its long agricultural tradition by producing locally grown vegetables and hay while carrying forward its rich agricultural history.

“Essex County’s farms are facing unprecedented pressures,” says Vanessa Johnson-Hall, Director of Land Conservation. “Skyrocketing land prices create major barriers for young farmers seeking access to land or affordable housing, while farmland’s flat, cleared, and accessible terrain has made it increasingly attractive to real estate developers.”

Massachusetts has lost 100,000 acres of farmland since 1997 — twice the nationwide rate of farmland loss. According to Greenbelt’s 2025 analysis of active farmland in Essex County, nearly two-thirds of the county’s 22,296 farmland acres — 14,189 acres — remain unprotected. Aging farmland owners and high land values make this land especially vulnerable to development and conversion.

Protecting Old Barn Farm will help address this trend locally. Once protected, Greenbelt will lease approximately 21 acres of agricultural land — primarily located in Boxford — to local farmers through affordable, long-term agreements designed to support farm viability and productivity. An additional 10 acres on the Boxford portion of the property will be stewarded as wildlife habitat, expanding Greenbelt’s existing Carter Fields Conservation Area and creating a new public trail connection to Barker Road.

“There is strong and growing interest from the next generation of farmers in leasing and working farmland in our region, making projects like Old Barn Farm especially urgent,” Vanessa adds. “Protecting this land now will help ensure it remains available and affordable for agriculture rather than being permanently lost to development.”

The project will also permanently protect wetlands that contribute to the health of nearby Lake Cochichewick, helping to naturally filter and protect local drinking water quality. The combination of sustainable farming, habitat stewardship, and wetland conservation will strengthen climate resilience while preserving the region’s ecological integrity.

To date, Greenbelt has secured a $1 million lead gift from a private donor to advance this project, and an additional $1.25 million will be allocated through Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds from the towns of Boxford and North Andover. Boxford Trails Association/Boxford Open Land Trust (BTA/BOLT) has also raised $250,000 toward the purchase. Greenbelt is currently working to raise the final $500,000 needed to complete the campaign.