Our Mission:
The mission of the LCACT is to preserve Little Compton’s agricultural ecosystem, rural character, and natural attributes. The Trust works to protect and support working-farms by acquiring land development rights, property, and through agricultural support programs. Additionally, we protect open space for habitat, ground water replenishment, and public recreation. ( Click this link to view our full mission, our commitments in support of our mission and 2026 subcommittee objectives.)
Why Was THE AG TRUST CREATED?
The Ag Trust was created in 1985 because our town’s farmers were struggling and farms were being lost to development. Concerned Little Compton citizens drafted legislation to support Little Compton agriculture and help keep farming active and vital. The Rhode Island General Assembly formalized this vision by passing “An Act Establishing the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust.” (The Act)
WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE TOWN?
The Ag Trust helps protect our town’s farming culture and character. Our Town has been always defined by its landscapes, agricultural history, open space, and slower way of life. The Ag Trust also helps protect our groundwater, which is crucial because Little Compton doesn’t have town water or sewers. Preserving all types of land and protecting groundwater often go hand-in-hand, because farm properties are rarely all upland. Most often a significant portion is wet or forested.
OUR FUNDING
The Ag Trust’s main source of funds, the real estate transfer tax, is approved from time to time by the voters of Little Compton. It is now set at 4% on that portion of a real estate transaction in excess of $450,000. Usually, the buyer pays the tax.
Fiscal Year 2025 Revenue
Fiscal Year 2025 Expenses
OUR VOLUNTEER BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our board is made of seven volunteer (unpaid) Trustees. Each must be an eligible voter in town.
- 5 Trustees are appointed by the Town Council, and one must be an active farmer. Each Trustee serves a five-year term.
- 2 additional Trustees are the chairperson (or member designee) of the Town’s Conservation Commission and Planning Board.
edbowen@lcact.net
Ed Bowen is a lifelong town resident, who has served on a number of town boards and is currently the member designee from the Conservation Commission.
tjohnston@lcact.net
Taylor Johnston is a nurserywoman and workwear designer. In 2017 she moved to Little Compton to work in agriculture. In addition to her plant nursery, Taylor grazes a small flock of wool sheep on land held in conservation by the trustees to use in her work clothing label, Gamine.
cwilkie@lcact.net
Carter Wilkie was named Conservationist of the Year in 2023 by the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, “in recognition of helping to preserve the Southern New England coastal farming community which can be seen in action on his own farm property in Little Compton.”
dmcnaughton@lcact.net
Don McNaughton joined the Trust in 2023. He currently sits on the Town’s Conservation Commission, and previously served on the boards of The Nature Conservancy’s Rhode Island Chapter, and the Sakonnet Preservation Association. Don thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2016. He lives with his wife, Alison, on West Main Road.
Wayne Montgomery, a lifelong resident of Little Compton, has been a Trust member since 1997, and is an active farmer in Little Compton. He also heads our Stewardship Committee, visiting Trust properties regularly to ensure that easements are being observed.
amsteers@lcact.net
Michael Steers joined the Trust Board in 2015 and represents the Little Compton Planning Board, which he chairs. Mike is also on the Board of the Little Compton Historical Society. He and his wife, Heather, grew up spending summers in Little Compton and they have resided here since 1989.
ssouza@lcact.net
Stephen Souza was appointed to the Trust in 2024. He was born and raised in Little Compton and is the 3rd generation to call Little Compton home. Steve, currently retired, also serves on the Little Compton Zoning Board of Review.
Our Conservation Partners
The Ag Trust works closely with its partners – the Sakonnet Preservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service– to research, identify, and protect properties of mutual concern, and to steward those properties after they have been preserved. Although each conservation group has a slightly different orientation to land protection, all share a commitment to preserving the health, the rural identity, and the beauty of our Sakonnet landscape.
