Mobbs Farm Committee

Thank You for Voting to Conserve Mobbs Farm!

The members of the Mobbs Committee would like to express our gratitude for the overwhelming support expressed for the conservation of Mobbs Farm on Town Meeting Day. Article I passed with 91% of the vote, and we couldn't be happier that voters agreed that Mobbs Farm should be protected for future generations of Jericho residents and wildlife. With conservation costs now 100% funded, we look forward to the work of preserving this beautiful land. 

So… What are the Next Steps? 

In collaboration with the Jericho Underhill Land Trust (JULT) and the Vermont Land Trust (VLT), the Mobbs Committee will seek the Selectboard’s approval to move forward with the conservation effort. Assuming an affirmative Selectboard vote, Town leadership will work with VLT toward conveying a conservation easement.

If you are interested in learning about the components of a conservation easement, please read the attached summary provided by the VLT. As always, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments, and THANK YOU for your continued support!

The Mobbs Farm Committee is currently initiating the effort to permanently conserve Mobbs Farm.

• A recent survey by the Mobbs Farm committee at the 2020 Jericho Town meeting (312 participants) determined the following:

• 78% of the participants believed Mobbs was already conserved
• 85% of the participants supported conservation of Mobbs

• The proposed cost of a permanent conservation easement is approximately $43,000.   Funding for this effort would come from the following: 

• $10,000 grant from the Jericho Underhill Land Trust
• $10,000 grant from the Vermont Land Trust
• $10,000 from the Jericho Conservation Reserve fund.
• This leaves around $13,000 to be made up from public fundraising
• The intent here is to eliminate any further tax burden on Jericho residents.

• A non-binding article is being added to the Jericho Town meeting agenda to allow residents to vote on moving forward with the conservation effort, with the proposed wording (to be finalized by the Selectboard) as follows: 

“Should the Selectboard pursue the conveyance of a conservation easement (in perpetuity) over 234 +/-  acres of the total 275 +/- acre Mobbs Farm property (excluding the Town Garage and solar farm) to the Vermont Land Trust at an estimated expense of $43,000 +/-, using grants, gifts and previously raised funds, for the purpose of protecting its natural resources, wildlife habitat, trails, recreational and educational opportunities, productive farmland and forestland, and scenic value?"

• The vote is "non-binding" because the Town has not yet finalized the details of the conservation easement with VLT, but a "yes" vote will offer the Selectboard the community's support to act on behalf of the Town and convey an easement.

• Bumper stickers will be made available to support this effort.

• Further details will be listed as a monthly update on this website.

• Please see the “Conserving Mobbs FAQ” on the right sidebar for further information, “Leave a Comment” tab or leave a comment on this tab should you want to leave a comment for the Committee.  If you leave a question, you may not get a direct answer, but be assured that the Mobbs Committee is reading comments and questions and are considering them. 
  
  
• The Committee will be hosting an online Q&A session using Zoom to provide further information on February 27 at 5:30pm.  Please tune in to ask your questions there.
• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87394326182?pwd=cFVldW45UzlEUHZBZUIvK3VCZzNhQT09(External link) 

   Meeting ID: 873 9432 6182
  Passcode: 626347

• Tune into Front Porch Forum for more details about Mobbs and the conservation effort.
  

Jericho residents are welcome to join our final informational ZOOM meeting to discuss the initiative to Conserve Mobbs Farm.  The meeting will take place on Saturday, February 27th at 5:30 PM and the public is welcome to attend.  Please use the link below to join the meeting, hosted by members of the Mobbs Farm Committee: 

 Join Zoom Meeting: 

Saturday, Feb. 27th @ 5:30 PM  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87394326182?pwd=cFVldW45UzlEUHZBZUIvK3VCZzNhQT09   

Meeting ID: 873 9432 6182 Passcode: 626347