The Vernon Family Farm, a beloved local spot in Newfields, New Hampshire, finds itself at the heart of a neighborhood debate. Since moving to the area five years ago, Lynn Girard and her husband, who live adjacent to the farm on Piscassic Road, initially enjoyed the occasional events hosted at Vernon Family Farm. However, they now express concerns about the increasing frequency and scale of these events, particularly over the past year.
Girard, along with other neighbors, voiced her worries to the Newfields Select Board in an April 11 letter. She detailed how events featuring live music, food, and alcohol service are significantly disrupting the neighborhood’s peace, especially on weekends – precious family time. Beyond the immediate disturbance, Girard fears a decline in property values if these events at Vernon Family Farm continue unabated. “When one purchases land in a residential, agricultural area, one does not expect to have a neighbor conducting a commercial business in the area,” she stated in her letter. These residents are urging the Newfields Select Board to step in, alleging violations of the town’s noise ordinance and non-compliance with local zoning regulations by Vernon Family Farm.
However, Jeremiah Vernon, owner of Vernon Family Farm, refutes these accusations, asserting that the farm operates within town bylaws. He emphasizes the state law that explicitly permits farms to engage in agritourism, which includes hosting events, providing meals, and offering overnight stays to attract visitors.
Expansion of Agritourism at Vernon Family Farm
Jeremiah Vernon’s journey with Vernon Family Farm began in 2014 when he acquired the 33-acre conserved land. Initially focused on pastured livestock and organic produce, including garlic, the farm has steadily grown its offerings. This expansion included the establishment of Vernon Kitchen, a seasonal outdoor dining experience that showcases the farm’s fresh ingredients, and a series of outdoor events with local bands, which have become a summer and early fall staple. Currently, Vernon Family Farm‘s event calendar lists concerts every Friday and Saturday, from 4 to 8 p.m., extending through October.
Vernon maintains that Vernon Family Farm operates within the parameters set by the town’s Planning Board in 2022. While acknowledging the allowance for agritourism, the site plan review process aims to “prevent traffic and parking from adversely impacting adjacent property, streets and sidewalks, or public safety.” Vernon states, “We have a site plan that allows us and permits us to do what we’re doing. And that’s my plan, to continue to operate within the site plan that we have been approved for.” He also points out that two of the complaining neighbors moved into the area after Vernon Family Farm had already established its agritourism activities, suggesting a lack of due diligence on their part regarding the nature of the neighborhood. Vernon recounted an interaction with one neighbor who allegedly said, “I moved to the country to enjoy the outdoors, not smell farms,” to which Vernon responded, “You should never move next to a farm and farm country if that’s your goal.”
Neighboring Residents Claim Farm Events are a Nuisance
Despite Vernon’s assertions, neighbor Scott Wachsmuth argues that the events at Vernon Family Farm have “escalated significantly in both scope and frequency.” In his April 19 letter to the Select Board, Wachsmuth described the farm’s operations as an “illegally open-air restaurant and bar, as well as amplified musical events.” He contends that town zoning regulations prohibit restaurants in the residential/agricultural district where Vernon Family Farm is situated. Wachsmuth further alleges that Vernon Family Farm has not secured necessary permits, such as a septic permit from the NHDES, required to operate a restaurant.
Ruth Patterson and Gerald Cox, through legal representation, also filed a complaint with the Select Board. Their complaint echoes concerns about Vernon Family Farm’s compliance with the conditions of their site plan approval, particularly concerning the restaurant and noise levels emanating from events held on the property.
However, Vernon Family Farm enjoys considerable support within the wider community. In 2022, Shawn Jasper, the state’s Agriculture Commissioner, publicly supported the Vernon family at a Planning Board meeting. Jasper stated that Vernon Family Farm‘s agritourism activities align perfectly with the Legislature’s intent to promote and support agritourism in the state.
Town Efforts to Mediate Vernon Family Farm Dispute
Michael Sununu, Chair of the Newfields Select Board, acknowledged that the town has been actively working to address neighbor concerns for the past two years. He attributed part of the ongoing challenge to the “poorly defined” nature of agritourism in state law. “This makes it very difficult for any town in this situation, and certainly this one, because the definition truly is in the eye of the beholder,” Sununu explained.
During the May 28 Select Board meeting, Sununu highlighted at least 10 noise ordinance violations recorded at Vernon Family Farm in the previous year. While no action was taken at that time, he indicated the town’s willingness to enforce the ordinance if necessary. Sununu also mentioned that the board is actively “checking on the status” of operational guidelines associated with Vernon Family Farm‘s site plan approval to ensure continued compliance. He confirmed that “outstanding issues that need to be addressed” remain.
Select Board member Mark Kasper expressed a desire to mediate a “common ground” solution between the concerned neighbors and Vernon Family Farm, seeking creative solutions that would benefit the entire Newfields community. “I like the compromise approach,” Kasper stated.
Conversely, some Vernon Family Farm supporters believe the Select Board is unfairly targeting the farm. David Partikian, a resident living a quarter mile from Vernon Family Farm, filed a “public integrity complaint” with the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office. His complaint accuses the Newfields Select Board of “harassing the Vernon Family” and acting in a “litigious and confrontational manner” towards their business. Partikian alleges the board is pressuring Vernon Family Farm to curtail operations to the point of unprofitability.
Sununu, however, insists that the Select Board is simply fulfilling its responsibility to address community complaints and ensure fair and balanced solutions.
The Importance of Agritourism for Vernon Family Farm
Vernon emphasizes that agritourism events are crucial for the financial sustainability of Vernon Family Farm. He explained the inherent economic challenges of farming, stating that agritourism is a “fundamental and necessary part of many successful farms in New England.” He highlighted common agritourism activities at other farms, such as corn mazes, hay rides, and farm dinners, underscoring the financial necessity of these ventures. “Although many of us farmers would prefer to ‘simply’ grow and sell food, it is often financially unsustainable to do so,” Vernon told the Planning Board in 2022.
The ongoing dispute has taken a financial toll on Vernon Family Farm. Vernon estimates spending over $100,000 in legal fees in the past two years to address concerns raised by the Select Board and neighbors. Despite these challenges, Vernon draws strength from the widespread community support, including a GoFundMe page launched in 2022 by a Newmarket resident. The campaign, “Support Vernon Family Farm,” has raised nearly $30,000 to help offset the farm’s legal expenses.
Vernon concluded, “We live in a time where the voice of a single naysayer, or a small group of dissenters, has more clout than 100 yay-sayers and 100 supporters. I think somehow my three abutters have been able to successfully capture the momentum of two of our three Select Board members.” The situation remains unresolved as Newfields seeks a balance between supporting local agriculture at Vernon Family Farm and addressing the concerns of its residents.
