For the Love of Pantry Brook Farm

Pantry Brook Farm, named for the brook which forms the northern edge of its fields, is a beautiful and historic 100-acre property on Concord Road in Sudbury. Photo by Ron McAdow
By Ashley Davies, AmeriCorps Regional Conservationist
Natural land is a beautiful resource that we all enjoy, but for some people a piece of land is the cornerstone of their family and their lives. This past week I had the pleasure of walking Pantry Brook Farm where I witnessed one family’s sincere devotion to their land.
Pantry Brook Farm, named for the brook which forms the northern edge of its fields, is a beautiful and historic 100-acre property on Concord Road in Sudbury. The farm is a well-known landmark and its scenery is treasured by local residents. Although the farm has been appreciated for hundreds of years, the beautiful landscape wouldn’t exist today if it weren’t for the hard work and dedication of Carole Wolfe and her husband Dick. 
The farm has been in Carole’s family for five generations and Carole’s love and dedication to the property was inherited from her ancestors. In the early 90’s Carole’s mother, Caroline Waite, took steps toward forever protecting the farm through a conservation restriction. Since that time, the Wolfes have taken the reins on the project and are painstakingly working to protect and preserve every detail of the land and homestead that is so well loved.
Taking care of a 100-acre farm and its 200 year old home and out buildings is a full time job. Most who inherit family land can’t keep up with such rigorous demands, but where there is a strong enough will there is a way. The Wolfes maintain the land by leasing some of their fields to local farmer Steve Verrill, and by making sure that the remaining fields are regularly mowed. In doing this they provide habitat for declining grassland bird species and ensure that Pantry Brook Farm retains its agricultural legacy.
Working toward land conservation is extremely rewarding for its results alone but knowing that conserving a piece of land will be preserving the lifeblood of a family and the history of a town, makes the conservation that much more meaningful. SVT is delighted to be a partner to the Town of Sudbury in this conservation effort, continuing a long history of collaboration. Keep watching SVT’s website for updates on this important project.