STANDISH – After a three-year slump, experts predict new house construction will rise by 25 percent in 2011, an idea that disturbs Richard Randall, longtime owner of Randall’s Orchard off Route 25 in Standish.

“I think there is too much development going on,” said Randall. “I plant apple trees, not houses.”

In 1906, Randall’s grandfather, Edgar Randall, operated the farm as a dairy, not an orchard. Although the farm had several apple trees, Edgar Randall focused on milk and butter that he brought to Portland and sold. Eventually Edgar Randall planted more apple trees, and started working the farm as an orchard. Richard’s father, Rufus Randall, continued on with the orchard expanding the business and the farmland into what it is today. It’s a legacy Richard Randall doesn’t want to see ruined.

“I enjoy watching people chase their dogs down to the pond, and cross country ski on the land. I want people to experience a little bit of what they can’t get in the city,” said Randall. “My goal is not to have this farm and land developed but to preserve it for the next generation.”

Randall set his goal into motion last year when he contacted the Maine Farmland Trust and the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust with the intent to conserve his land.

“It will be a multi-managed trust,” said Randall. “The idea is the Maine Farmland Trust will manage the 100 acres of farm land and Presumpscot Regional Land Trust will manage the rest of the land including the fields and forest.”

In December, the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust received a $10,000 grant from the Davis Conservation Fund to help in the effort to put the Randall Farm, along with the surrounding 400 acres, into a conservation easement. Although the trust is on the right track, the easement is dependent on further grant funding and matching of federal funds.

The trust has already filed an application for funding from the Land for Maine’s Future grant program, a program that historically gives funding to conserve lands that the program feels hold recreational or ecological value. The well-known program has funded successful local preservation projects including the creation of Tassel Top Park in Raymond to improve access to Sebago Lake, and a grant that enabled the Francis Small Heritage Trust to purchase 227 acres on Sawyer Mountain in Baldwin.

The trust will find out in May or June of this year if it will be awarded the LMF grant. If the money is awarded, the trust will then use the money from the Davis Foundation grant for essential project costs including the survey, appraisal, and environmental assessment.

“In 50 years I don’t think there will be too many places with 500 acres of farm and forests for people to enjoy,” said Randall. “I want to make sure I preserve this land for the future.”

For more information on the preserving the Randall Orchard, call 595-2134.

STANDISH – After a three-year slump, experts predict new house construction will rise by 25 percent in 2011, an idea that disturbs Richard Randall, longtime owner of Randall’s Orchard off Route 25 in Standish.

“I think there is too much development going on,” said Randall. “I plant apple trees, not houses.”

In 1906, Randall’s grandfather, Edgar Randall, operated the farm as a dairy, not an orchard. Although the farm had several apple trees, Edgar Randall focused on milk and butter that he brought to Portland and sold. Eventually Edgar Randall planted more apple trees, and started working the farm as an orchard. Richard’s father, Rufus Randall, continued on with the orchard expanding the business and the farmland into what it is today. It’s a legacy Richard Randall doesn’t want to see ruined.

“I enjoy watching people chase their dogs down to the pond, and cross country ski on the land. I want people to experience a little bit of what they can’t get in the city,” said Randall. “My goal is not to have this farm and land developed but to preserve it for the next generation.”

Randall set his goal into motion last year when he contacted the Maine Farmland Trust and the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust with the intent to conserve his land.

“It will be a multi-managed trust,” said Randall. “The idea is the Maine Farmland Trust will manage the 100 acres of farm land and Presumpscot Regional Land Trust will manage the rest of the land including the fields and forest.”

In December, the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust received a $10,000 grant from the Davis Conservation Fund to help in the effort to put the Randall Farm, along with the surrounding 400 acres, into a conservation easement. Although the trust is on the right track, the easement is dependent on further grant funding and matching of federal funds.

The trust has already filed an application for funding from the Land for Maine’s Future grant program, a program that historically gives funding to conserve lands that the program feels hold recreational or ecological value. The well-known program has funded successful local preservation projects including the creation of Tassel Top Park in Raymond to improve access to Sebago Lake, and a grant that enabled the Francis Small Heritage Trust to purchase 227 acres on Sawyer Mountain in Baldwin.

The trust will find out in May or June of this year if it will be awarded the LMF grant. If the money is awarded, the trust will then use the money from the Davis Foundation grant for essential project costs including the survey, appraisal, and environmental assessment.

“In 50 years I don’t think there will be too many places with 500 acres of farm and forests for people to enjoy,” said Randall. “I want to make sure I preserve this land for the future.”

For more information on the preserving the Randall Orchard, call 595-2134.