Mass Audubon — Attraction in Lincoln

Long story. I was contacted via post card to apply to the preservation of the Bobolink bird by donating land that is managed in such a way to benefit habitat of this bird. So I filled out a form online and sent any necessary requested info per email request, Including a Google maps illustrating potential property site. The property needs to have hay crop with certain plants. I had a field we aren’t using.

For hay to be cut/cured for horses/cow, you cut it before the head of the plant seeds out. The reason from an agricultural perspective is that you are cutting it before it is past it’s prime. We use to cut, ted, rake & bale 40k bales annually for Cascade Farm & the thoroughbreds we boarded, bred, delivered, sales prep, lay ups. You want quality hay NOT past its prime. We no longer bale hay, or have 10 full time employees, or the equipment to make hay. So I applied to offer the land, furnished the necessary info to illustrate the land I had In mind.

In an email Hyla asked what cost we’d like to be paid? I had no idea, I asked what is the standard? I was told that it’s $50 an acre and “do you need the money?” I have the email. Regardless of whether I needed the money, I’m entitled to be compensated for use of my land. I found that insulting.

Next you are expected to seed, or fertilize the land. The $50 an acre would no where touch the cost of seeding or fertilizer from CaroVail. As we’ve done this to our land over the past. I’m experienced in land management & went to school in KY.

Next, one day I’m doing farm chores & 2 ladies with MA plates proceed to trespass, not inquire, email or ask for permission to meet, introduce themselves, or view the right parcel. They trespassed without permission. On horse /cow paddock which wasn’t the designated parcel. But since land is in one deed. They did whatever. Upon my telling them they can’t trespass, they didn’t introduce themselves, explain who they were, but I figured it out with camera with telephoto lens & MA plates viewing birds. I found this interaction, process, and type of treatment highly insulting. You are asking someone to forfeit their land for preservation, they need you to cut the hay crop, but not till mid July, which is way! Past its peak!! Yielding no nutrient retention of value & once baled looks like straw. But want to pay $50 an acre or nothing if you don’t need the money on their eyes! For land that is treated with lime? Fertilized? And or seeded.

Not gonna happen. Good luck with that.

I would not recommend dealing with these people for this endeavor.

It’s too bad & it’s a shame that the interviewing process & dialogue wasn’t done better toward the applicant. In my case, me. But they say. The true nature of a woman is determined by how they treat other women. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Below is a photo of what they missed. This is not the land designated in the bobolink application, but on the same deed, down the road a little, & the parcel they were trespassing on. These pix were...

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