Along the Appalachian Trail corridor near its crossing with Trescott Road, the Adams Farm remains one of the most visible examples of the once dominate agricultural landscape in Hanover. With its gently rolling meadows, stone walls, and early homestead, the farm and its view of Mount Ascutney have caught the eye of passing runners, cyclists, and motorists for generations. Long a part of Hanover’s agricultural heritage, it was formerly the site of an 18th century farmhouse that may have been a tavern on what was once a well-traveled road leading from the south.
Working together with the landowners, the Hanover Conservancy ensured permanent protection of the property’s most productive agricultural soils and important wetland buffer with a conservation easement in April 2026. This adds another 13 acres to a nearly 1,100 acre block of conserved fields, forests, and wetlands, all supporting a diverse, healthy ecosystem for Hanover’s human and natural communities.
Sudden severe storms related to climate change have caused widespread and expensive damage in recent years, adding new urgency to protecting the natural hydrology of the Mink Brook watershed. The farm’s wetland guards against flooding and water pollution in the nearby village of Etna and in lower Mink Brook, Hanover’s largest stream, as it flows through settled neighborhoods, the Mink Brook Community Forest, and the Mink Brook Nature Preserve.
How to get there
The Adams Farm can be viewed from Trescott Road, 0.75 miles north of the intersection with Etna Road.
Public access to the property is at the discretion of the landowner. At this time there is no public access to the property and its farmland. Thank you for respecting the landowner’s privacy.
This property has long been a part of the agricultural heritage of Hanover. An 18th century farmhouse may have served as a tavern on a historic road from the south. Long-time resident Bob Adams managed his land for various farming and forestry goals, including hay, animal husbandry, and more. This region of Hanover has seen significant agricultural activity since the late 18th century. His oxen were a familiar sight at the Hanover Center Old Timers’ Fair (which he helped start).
Protection of the Adams Farm was made possible by generous gifts from neighbors, friends, and our partners, including the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Hanover Conservation Commission, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Wild East Action Fund
The Adams Farm is part of rural Hanover’s rich mosaic of landscape types. High-quality agricultural soils support an open hayfield near a fallen stone wall-lined boundary along Trescott Road. This field, along with other open meadows nearby including at the Hudson Farm, support a variety of bird and insect life.
Toward the rear of the property, a wetland buffer provides valuable stormwater resilience for nearby Mink Brook.
This mix of landscape types offer an impressive diversity of habitats for native species. To support this healthy habitat, Hanover Conservancy is working with the private landowners to control non-native invasive species on the property.
