Sunny Rock Farm

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Sunny Rock Farm was once a beloved center of local farming in the community, offering Walpole, Massachusetts residents milk in glass bottles, fresh eggs, holiday pies, Christmas trees, and hayrides pulled by the farm tractors. In its days as a working farm Sunny Rock was home to a local 4-H Club, which housed their goats, sheep, and rabbits on the site, and provided opportunities for families to visit and care for the animals. For the last decade, the Sunny Rock Farm has been idle and become overgrown. The Buttimer Family owners reached an agreement with TPL to sell most of the land for conservation if enough funds can be raised.

The Citizens for Sunny Rock Farm, a group of concerned community members and municipal leaders, have been working with TPL to raise the $2.95 million purchase price by June 15, 2012. Just over $1 million has been committed as of January 2012. If fundraising is successful, the Citizens and the Town of Walpole plan to lease the now-dormant land to a new farmer committed to bringing local food to the community. An additional 8 acres will be set aside for much-needed new athletic fields. If funds cannot be raised, the farm property will likely be developed into luxury homes, as the remainder of the Sunny Rock property is already under agreement for housing development.