Many might not know what Cascade Farms in Provo is all about, but a free farm day on June 15 brought more than 450 visitors who learned of the exciting vision owners Colton and Alicia Burr have for their farm.
Utah Agricultural Land Trust, Conserve Utah Valley and the Burrs created a day of fun, active farm events to bring awareness to this beautiful property that borders the Provo River for a third of a mile.
“We want to place an agricultural conservation easement on our farm so that it will forever be protected from commercial and residential development,” said Colton Burr.
The Burr family is frequently approached by developers to turn their 20 acres into warehouses, housing, or other commercial development. The farm sits on the edge of the Provo River, across from CLAS Ropes Course near the Utah Lake State Park and is just south of the new Provo River Delta, soon to open to the public.
“Our goal is to provide every child and youth in the community an opportunity to experience the joys of farm life and become educated on responsible food production while simultaneously protecting the Provo River and trail experience for outdoor recreation enthusiasts and critical riparian habitat,” Colton said.
U.S. Representative John Curtis met with the Burrs to hear their vision. He commented on his original expectation to meet an older gentleman, but was surprised to find a young farmer eager to keep Provo’s farming heritage alive. Rep. Curtis then spoke to the crowd about his love of open space and the need to conserve it.
Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi recounted memories growing up in Provo and deeply enjoying riding horseback through open farm fields. She explained what a conservation easement does.
“First, it allows families to farm their land forever, which is a beautiful thing in itself,” she said. “It allows families to get the fair value of their land, and it benefits the community as a whole by increasing the amount of green space around us, preserving our agricultural heritage and bolstering our food security. It’s not often that there is such a clear win-win as we have found with conservation easements. I want to particularly thank the families – thank you Colton and Alicia, thank you to each family that has taken this path of a conservation easement.”
Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner told the crowd she is the eighth generation in her family in this area.
“I serve on the county commission because I want to make sure that my children and their children and their children have the opportunity to stay in Utah County and continue to have this be the best place in the world to live and raise a family, Commissioner Powers said.”
The Utah Agricultural Land Trust in Cache County will eventually hold the easement. Deborah Van Noy, with UALT, is helping the Burrs find funding for the easement.
“Our goal as a land trust is to help farmers and ranchers preserve their properties into perpetuity so it remains agriculture forever,” she said.
Activities included free pony and horse rides, wagon rides, trail rides on the Provo River trail, a petting zoo, a mechanical bull, steer roping (plastic), horse shoes, rock wall climbing tower and other games. Local agriculture producers showcased their produce: Wagyu beef, pork, chicken, cheese, honey, bread, and vegetable starts.
Bobbing for apples and pie eating contests were a hit and all received free Zeppe’s Italian ice, perfect for a hot day.
10-year-old Wolfgang Smith, who had never been to a farm event, participated in the pie eating contest as well as four horse rides.
“I love farms! When can we go to the next farm event?” he asked.
The Burr’s hope for this to become an annual event, but there is a great need to get the conservation easement in place. Residents can help by contacting their city, county and state leaders with requests to preserve agricultural land by providing and allocating funding for conservation easements.
To financially help secure the easement for Cascade Farms, please visit conserveutahvalley.org to donate.
Submitted By Kaye Nelson
