After Sam and Eleanor Morris – nationally recognized leaders in land conservation – purchased the 500-acre Lundale Farm in South Coventry in 1946, the land remained largely untouched for decades, writes Lucy Clark for EatingWell magazine.

But when Eleanor passed away nine years ago, she left the farm to her seven children with a request that it be farmed organically. Since none of the siblings grew up to be farmers, they began researching their options.

They soon realized that area farmland sold for tens of thousands of dollars, something that is only affordable to developers. As a result, they decided to turn Lundale Farm into a nonprofit that offers local farmers affordable land to rent.

“We thought, we should bring small farmers who are committed to sustainability and can’t afford land onto our land,” said Laura Morris Siena.

The nonprofit charges on a sliding scale – between $50 and $250 per acre – depending on experience and expected revenue. Currently, the land is home to a beekeeper and eight farmers who grow and make everything from microgreens to hard-cider apples.

Read more about Lundale Farm in EatingWell magazine here.

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