Not only is it the agricultural significance she’s intent on preserving, it’s also a 46-acre piece of property that went up for sale over the summer, and which is part of the picturesque landscape known as the “interval” --the land south of the village sometimes called the “Gateway to Kingfield.”

The land, as she explains, also serves as a recreational option for many with its open access to walks along the Carrabassett River, cross-county skiing and snowmobiling for example.

Prior to the meeting, her vision was shared by a handful of people. Now there’s an organized committee called Friends of Kingfield Farmland which is marching ahead with a game plan at hand. Prior to the meeting, Cuppernell was concerned that the property would sell to a developer, so she signed a 90-day option to purchase the land. Her hopes are to gain financial support from fellow community members and/or fundraise to buy the land and put it into either a conservation easement or trust. She explained at the beginning of the meeting that her option expires at the end of September. Toward the end of the meeting she was pleased to hear from a realtor who broke the news that her option had been extended.

Currently the land is listed through CSM Real Estate at the asking price of $225,000.

Nina Young and Jo Josephson, of Maine Farmland Trust, were present at the meeting to offer any support to the now organized group. MFT supports groups like Cuppernell’s and helps protect land from the development of future house lots and assists in seeing that the land is secured, safeguards enacted and potentially sold back to farmers. “Thus, preserving farmland not only safeguards our environment and cultural heritage, but it keeps working farms working –-feeding us and feeding our economy,” MFT literature states.

“We’re here to offer any technical assistance that we can,” Young explained. In fact, she explained and the group agreed that the MFT will be the holder of raised money and donations can be made out to Maine Farmland Trust, which is a 501(c)3 non profit offering tax deductible benefits.

Members agreed that they should meet again sometime soon after such things are obtained as an official opinion of value of the land and information and assurance about neighboring properties not being developed.

Poland Spring owns the piece just north of the lot for sale and is in a 10-year agreement with the town to take ownership through a tax increment financing deal. The land south in New Portland is owned by the White family of Kingfield, Cuppernell explained.

The cost of some form of an appraisal was discussed and the need for some start-up money to get things rolling. The crowd burst into applause at one point when a Kingfield resident from the back of the audience said, “I can see that no one is wearing a hat tonight, so we can’t pass the hat. So I just want to tell you that I’m good for the appraisal cost for up to $500.”

After that a good show of hands were raised to offer their time working on various committees to see that the gateway is protected. Cuppernell told the crowd that it’s not just this piece they can protect; they can start with this one and secure others in the area if they are successful.

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