Hurd Dairy Farm

Hurd Farm has been run by the Hurd family since 1926. Three generations of the family still live on the farm and continue to operate their dairy and composting business. But in rapidly-growing Hampton, high real estate values were putting economic pressure on the family. The Hurds decided to seek an agricultural preservation agreement for the property, allowing them to make needed farm upgrades and to continue the family business.

In 2005, The Trust for Public Land helped the family protect more than 155 acres straddling the Taylor River for farmland and open space. Although the property remains in private ownership, an agricultural conservation agreement on the property guarantees that the most important farm soils will never be developed. A water quality and recreational preservation agreement on the lands along the river will protect water resources, and provide for permanent public recreational access.

The agreements, funded through a combination of local bond measures, state and federal sources totaling $3 million, will protect fragile coastal habitat, maintain open space and preserve a portion of Hampton’s agricultural history.