Sen. Kissel Announces Open Space Acquisition for Suffield

Olson Farm Easement one of 33 open space state grants announced this last week
State Sen. John A. Kissel, R-Enfield, today said that a grant in the amount of $257,250 has been allocated to the Town of Suffield to assist in the purchase of 40 acres of the Olson Farm Easement. According to Sen. Kissel, the grant that was announced on November 25th by Gov. M. Jodi Rell is part of the state’s Open space and Watershed Land Acquisition program, which is administered by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The grant is a portion of a $10.2 million allocation awarded to 29 communities throughout Connecticut and is part of the state’s effort to preserve 21 percent of Connecticut’s land as open space by year 2023. Sen. Kissel said that it is important to note that the funding for this project comes from previously allocated bond funds.

“This program is extremely beneficial to communities trying to protect open space,” said Sen. Kissel. “Olson Farm embodies everything we are looking for when we talk about protecting and preserving open space in Connecticut. I very much appreciate Governor Rell’s support for this award. It is important that this unique property remain pristine for future generations.”

According to the DEP, approximately 30 acres of the Olson Farm Easement are used for agriculture with important farmland soil. The rest of the property contains a variety of vegetation and a narrow riparian floodplain (Muddy Brook). The property is also home to wide array of animals. In addition, there is an abundance of State Endangered meadow horsetail in the wooded area, which supports diverse bird species.