On fewer than five acres? How does that work?

The city of Greenfield offers Right to Farm protections to properties of five or more acres, regardless of Zoning, but Nettlepoint Farm is on 2.71 acres.

Thanks to the work of our wonderful Agriculture Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, we were made aware that we fall under Massachusetts State Law Chapter 40A, Section 3, which affords similar protections to any property of at least two acres, as long as that property is, through agricultural pursuits, generating at least $1K in gross income per acre per year. See also, Massachusetts State Law Chapter 128 Section 1A for a definition of agriculture.

What does that mean for Nettlepoint?

As long as Nettlepoint generates at least $2.71K each year, we qualify for the same privileges that are already afforded to larger properties. We’re aiming for $2.75K to be on the safe side.

In short, as long as we meet our financial goals, we can continue to operate on a property zoned as Suburban Residential. If not, then we will lose our DBA and return to “hobby homestead status.’ Then we’ll be subject to zoning regulations and will require special permits to operate.