How the WCG@WF came to be

It started with a demand to let our neighbors have a say

In March of 2020, the Selectboard of Warren CT called together a committee of residents to make recommendations for uses of the Wasley Farm Property, a nearly 100 acre parcel of wetlands and prime farm land on the north end of Warren. This property belongs to the town since its sale below market value by the Wasley family to the town in 2011.

From that committee, a data collection effort was born. We sought to learn from neighbors what their dreams for that property included, and they let us know! Out of 102 responses, roughly 80% wanted the property to be maintained as a town-owned parcel, combining multiple uses such as recreation, agriculture, open space, and especially, a community garden.

Where we are today

Now that we have developed a site plan, gained a fiscal sponsor, and put together a proposal for the town to allow the Select board to enter into a lease of portions of the Wasley property for a community garden, orchard, and berry patch.

The Wasley Orchard

Across the drive from the potential future garden site

The input that drove the group to act

When the town committee, convened by former First Selectman Timothy Angevine, assembled the responses to their data collection effort, several options stood out as important considerations for most respondents. These included:

56 responses requesting that the space be used for recreational purposes
45 requests for the space to be used for farming and/or gardening
29 responses asking that the space remain undeveloped/kept as open space
and 29 requests specifically for a farm and/or garden for the community on the site.

In addition to these responses, 26 individuals wanted the property sold, either entirely or in part with the other uses put in place of the rest of the property. This small but vocal group could have swayed the conversation at the town meeting if the data the committee collected wasn't made available, making it clear that this desire was not held by most Warren residents.

In order to use the space for a purpose that met the majority of respondents' will based on this data collection effort, the startup group planned and sought approval for the community garden. This use allows the space to remain undeveloped, but not idle; it serves the community as a recreational community space without demanding that individuals or families spend money to justify their time there; it continues the agricultural legacy the Wasleys held so dear; and it provides Warren residents with a means to build community connections while localizing their food system. The whole town wins!

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