American Studies (AMST) As much of America's farmland is lost to
development, Americans are rapidly losing their connection with
the farms where their food comes from and the entire process of
how their food is raised. In my thesis I address how sustainable
agricultural methods can help preserve New England's farm
landscapes, rural views, and green spaces by examining
partnerships between local land conservation projects and
sustainable farmers. By examining collaborations between land
conservationists and sustainable farmers, I examine different
models for sustainable land use and ways to maximize the public
good gained from conserved properties. By focusing on farms in
highly developed areas, I compare how different farms preserve
working landscapes and enhance the environmental quality of an
area while bringing locally grown produce to different sectors
of their communities. To address these questions I examined
three farms: a recreated historic garden at the Old Manse in
Concord, MA, Urban Oaks Farm in Ne