“Meet you at Dionne Farm!”

“Meet you at Dionne Farm!”

We hope this becomes a common expression in the years to come. This past April, we reported that a generous friend of Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust (BTLT) provided us with an opportunity to purchase the iconic white farmhouse, barn, and surrounding acreage directly across the street from our beloved Farmers Market at Crystal Spring Farm on Pleasant Hill Road. Since then, BTLT has been very busy planning and fundraising for a future home for our mission and values.

Soon after signing the purchase agreement in spring, we assembled a team of BTLT board, staff, and partners to start a visioning process. This team was assigned the task of identifying potential future uses of both the structures and land, based on the priorities of our strategic plan relating to local agriculture, education and community engagement, and, of course, conservation and recreational access. Overarching themes in BTLT’s strategic plan, impacting all facets of our work, include climate responsibility, community access and inclusion, advocacy, and operational sustainability.

We are currently working with Opal Architecture and Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture to gather input from key community stakeholders to help inform our visioning process and all the exciting possibilities!

Placing the community at its heart, we envision Dionne Farm serving both the operational needs of our expanding organization and the local needs of people like you. This could include a welcoming visitor center, community event and meeting spaces, and more. Opportunities for expanding our educational offerings are endless: what better spot for youth field trips and camp opportunities to experience our local food system, explore Great Gully stream, and get a closer look at local bugs and birds? The buildings offer ample square footage for modern classroom space and big screens for presentations. The open back acreage could be perfect for stargazing, tossing a frisbee, or yoga classes.

Considerations also include a re-imagining of the Farmers Market that increases vendor variety, improves traffic circulation and safety, adds restrooms, and incorporates spaces for outdoor picnics and community gatherings. Additionally, we imagine the property as a central hub for trail connections to and from both Crystal Spring Farm North and South, with the additional benefit of providing improved bicycle and pedestrian access to the Market from surrounding neighborhoods.

We still have a ways to go before dreaming turns into remodeling, but we hope you’re getting just as excited as we are! If you’re interested in learning more or would like to get involved, please email us at info@btlt.org.