Kearsarge Mountain Road
121 acres of agricultural fields, wildlife habitat, and water resources
Public access, no formal trails
November 2022

The Vegetable Ranch has grown certified organic produce of exceptional quality for more than twenty years. In 1988, Larry Pletcher’s 125-acre home on the slopes of Mt. Kearsarge became a successful, diversified farm melding traditional organic methods with contemporary knowledge to carry sustainable agriculture forward to new generations.

“Conservation of The Vegetable Ranch helps keep a working farm growing food while protecting critical wildlife habitat and conserving water quality,” said Liz Short, Executive Director of Five Rivers. “We’re honored to have worked with Larry Pletcher and have been nothing short of amazed by his daughter Jenn’s commitment to carrying forward her father’s deep respect for the land after his passing last year.”

The predominantly forested land is part of a 10,000+ acre expanse of unfragmented habitat that stretches to Mt. Kearsarge. This conservation easement will buffer four headwater streams of the Willow Brook and Stevens Brook watersheds, valued by the Warner Conservation Commission. The farmers of Vegetable Ranch grow organic vegetables and livestock products for Concord Farmers’ Market, Concord Food Co‐op, Warner Public Market, and more.

The Vegetable Ranch has become a local legacy for the Pletchers continuing Larry’s vision for easy access to nutritious, organic produce. Five Rivers and the Pletcher family worked together in pursuit of an easement since 2019. The conservation easement will ensure that the land is not subdivided or developed and will make it available for habitat, farming, and forest management for generations to come.

“My father created a space where his organic practices and conservation‐mindedness could live on,” remembers Jenn, “and it’s with these values the farm continues today in his physical absence, but always with his spirit.”

This project is the culmination of several years of work with the Pletcher family and our partners to raise the funds and finalize purchase of the conservation easement after the Pletcher’s offer to donate part of its value. Grant funding for this project was awarded from NH Land & Community Heritage Investment Program, the Thomas W. Haas Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation, NH State Conservation Commission Moose Plate Conservation Grant Program, the Davis Conservation Foundation, the Quabbin‐to‐Cardigan Partnership, and the NH Farm Future Fund. The community also rallied in support of conserving the Vegetable Ranch, raising $5,000 from the Warner Conservation Commission and over $35,000 in private donations.

Pumpkin Hill and Bartlett Loop Roads
9 acres of forest, stream, and wetland habitats
Public access, no formal trails
January 2019

In Warner, a 50 year tradition of taking children outdoors each spring at the Warner Fishing Derby indicates that the location of the derby is a special place in town. Willow Brook, also known as Children’s Brook, has always been the Derby location. Families come with their children, fishing poles and bait to help their kids learn the thrills of spending time outdoors and taking a chance at bringing dinner home. The faces of children and their parents express the importance of this event. It is a bonding experience for everyone.

So, when Scott and Joan Warren and the Warner Conservation Commission asked Five Rivers Conservation Trust to help conserve land along Children’s Brook, we were excited. “Community Conservation is about conserving the places important to the people in the Community,” says Beth McGuinn, Executive Director of Five Rivers Conservation Trust. After two years of working toward the goal, the project has been completed, with the Town and the Warrens each conserving the land they own along the brook. Now, nearly ½ mile along the brook is conserved and will always be open for children who want to take a chance at catching the big one.

Nancy Martin, Chair of the Warner Conservation Commission, says her boys Chip and Andy participated in the derby from ages 5 to 16, back in the 60’s and 70’s. “We hope to instill a love of fishing in our grandchildren, beginning just like their Dads did, with the Warner Fishing Derby.”

In an era when the lure of technology means children (and parents) spend less time outdoors, Children’s Brook is a very important place for introducing children to the inspiration of nature. With the area conserved, future generations of parents and children will have access to this special place – Children’s Brook.

Five Rivers Conservation Trust guided the Warrens and the Town of Warner through the Conservation process. The Town and the Warrens generously donated conservation easements, which limit the use of their land and allow future generations of children to fish on this section of the brook. The Town donated funds to cover all transaction expenses. Five Rivers will monitor the property to ensure that it is used only for conservation purposes in the future.