WAC’s purchase of development rights on watershed farms continues to be a popular and successful program, with a steady flow of interested farmers responding with applications. The Inman family sold a conservation easement to WAC in late 2002, permanently conserving their farmstead which includes road frontage on both town and county roads. The easement prevents further subdivision on the farm, while enabling the Inmans to continue operating in accordance with their Whole Farm Plan for protection of the streams flowing into the Cannonsville Reservoir.

An additional 126 acres important to the Inman’s farm business is rented from a neighbor, who is also now eligible for a WAC easement. Bovina is home to four more farm families who’ve applied to the program, bringing the potential acres that WAC could conserve in the Town to 1,241. Community benefits of the WAC Conservation Easement include the continuance of farming on prime agricultural soil; retention of a safe, fresh, food supply; maintenance of Bovina’s rural character and reduction of potential impacts on local infrastructure.