Tradition preserved at Gould Hill Farm in NH

(NECN: Lauren Collins, Hopkinton, NH) – It’s harvest time at Gould Hill. The peaches are juicy and the blueberries are deliciously plump. Last season was nearly the end of an era in Hopkinton, New Hampshire as Erick Leadbeater – whose family is only the second to own Gould Hill Farm in its 3000 years – planned to retire. He didn’t want to sell these valuable 80 acres to developers, but couldn’t find a buyer who would keep the property as an orchard. Efforts to set up a community run farm also failed. “In this economy we just can’t afford to outright buy it,” says Amy Bassett who, along with her husband Tim, has leased the property from the Leadbeaters, and plans to maintain the farm’s long tradition. “We look at this as our retirement,” she says. “We’re gonna move forward and hopefully be able to pass it off to our children.” The Bassetts signed the deal in April but kept quiet on the details until this week, when the farm stand opened for the season. In addition to its bountiful fruits, Amy says, “”we’ll be offering ice cream and donuts and cookies and ice cream, baked goods and a bigger retail outlet.” Those changes require some extensive renovations to this nearly two hundred year old barn, but they’ll allow Gould Hill Farm to operate year round. Locals are pleased with the arrangement and think the new additions will only enhance the old place. “We’re really happy that it’s getting to stay the way it is,” says Dane Malcom. “We love our little town and it’s important to have little towns and apple orchards.” The Bassetts say they’re excited to preserve this local fixture, though that’s not the reason they took over. Tim, who grew up on a Vermont dairy farm, simply wanted to get back to his agricultural roots. Going forward, Amy envisions a deck and outdoor seating near the barn, so everyone who comes by can take in the spectacular view, “and be able to have a cup of coffee or a donut or ice cream and just something to keep them here to enjoy the experience longer.”