\u201cFor most people, the highlight of their week was getting their paycheck,\u201d he says. \u201cI wanted more.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Coming back to the farm gave him a different kind of satisfaction, tied to the work itself and the people around it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the years, Larry adapted to keep the farm viable. He expanded into direct sales, built relationships with local stores and restaurants, and opened a farmstand. When farmers\u2019 markets grew in popularity, he made sure Pesce Farm was part of them. And for many in Bolton, the farm is simply where you go for strawberries in the summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think the future of Connecticut agriculture is in creating your niche,\u201d Larry says. \u201cBut whatever you do, you have to stay connected to your community.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n That connection has become more important as the number of farms in Bolton has declined. Where there were once dozens, only a handful remain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like many farmers without a next generation ready to take over, Larry began thinking about what would happen to the land. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He saw other farmers taking steps to protect their land for the future. With guidance from Connecticut Farmland Trust, the Bolton Land Trust, and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, he began the process of placing an agricultural easement on the farm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The process wasn\u2019t simple. It involved navigating legal agreements and meeting state and federal requirements. Along the way, staff at Connecticut Farmland Trust helped answer questions and clarify options as he moved through the process. In the end, the easement ensures that the land will remain available for farming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like other conserved farms, it also allows the land to continue to quality for \u201cagricultural exemption,\u201d where it is assessed on its agricultural use, rather than development value, for property tax purposes. State and federal programs helped fund the easement, recognizing the quality of the soils and the farm\u2019s long-term viability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne thing I learned is that the government (the state easement program) doesn’t preserve just any land,\u201d Larry explained. \u201cTheir funding is meant to ensure the land supports a thriving farm business forever.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Farming, for Larry, was not just about crops and yields; it was about the relationships fostered through shared labor and mutual support. \u201cIt\u2019s demanding work, and the pay isn\u2019t great,\u201d he admits, \u201cbut the independence and community impact make everything worthwhile.\u201d There\u2019s a sense of certainty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is a relief to look out at the fields and know they will always be here for someone to farm,\u201d Larry says.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n And then there are the people. Larry still hears from those who worked on the farm years ago. They remember long summer days and the pride of seeing something grow because of their work. For many, it was their first experience of being part of something that mattered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ctfarmland.org\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Pesce-big-sign-scaled.jpg\")
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Farming for the future<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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