Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Strafford County Commissioners are announcing the opportunity to bid on six (6) parcels of County land for the purpose of producing agricultural crops for a six (6) year period, July 6, 2023 to November 1, 2028, effective immediately upon bid award. Special for the six (6) year lease agreement is a smaller 4-acre parcel available for row crops. This parcel is located on one of the best soils found in Strafford County. If any grower is interested in growing vegetables, flowers, herbs, etc., they should look into bidding for the lease of this parcel. Other acreage is more suitable to hay/haylage production. The six parcels include: Parcel #1, 33 acres; Parcel #1A, 4 acres; Parcel #2, 34 acres; Parcel #3, 23 Acres; Parcel #4, 19 acres; and Parcel #5, 12 acres. The great majority of the Strafford County complex property is subject to a Conservation Easement held by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Activities on the easement portion of the property are subject to the terms of the easement deed, which appears as an appendix to this lease agreement. The following list of goals derived from the Easement Purposes is intended to offer guidance to the lessee to assure that management activities are in compliance with the easement. 1. The protection of the frontage on the Cocheco River and undeveloped frontage along County Farm Road and County Farm Cross Road which provides scenic enjoyment, outdoor recreation and educational opportunities to the general public. 2. The protection of the natural bird habitat on the property especially for the Golden-Winged Warbler, Northern Harrier, Upland Sandpiper, and Osprey. 3. The long-term protection of the property’s capacity to produce economically valuable agricultural products, in particular agricultural soils of statewide importance. 4. The perpetual protection of the quality and sustainable yield of groundwater and surface water resources under and on the property to safeguard present and future drinking water supplies. 5. The preservation of historic and cultural features on the property, including the site of the former Strafford County Asylum, the existing Asylum monument and archeological features of the property.
