This June, Aquidneck Land Trust raised the necessary $3 million to purchase the Deed to Development Rights on Escobar's Highland Farm. The closing is slated to occur by the end of September.

A recent grant of $188,328 from the State of Rhode Island ’s Agricultural Land Preservation Commission enabled the Land Trust to fulfill its ambitious fundraising goal. The result of this effort means that Aquidneck Land Trust will permanently protect 75 acres of the Portsmouth, R.I. , farm. On the Island and beyond, the Escobars are considered heroes for bucking the rampant development trend. They agreed to the bargain price of $3 million to ensure their land remains open space for all time. The money will help the family pay inheritance tax on the farm.

The grant from the State of Rhode Island ’s Agricultural Land Preservation Commission was one of eight grant awards from four partners. It provided the final dollars needed to fill the coffers and reach the $3 million purchase price agreed upon August 12, 2004.  Other partners and their total contributions include:

1.                         U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service $1,311,672

2.                         Town of Portsmouth $750,000

3.                         State of Rhode Island $688,328

4.                         The Nature Conservancy, through a grant from The Champlin Foundations $250,000

Louis and Jane Escobar continue a family tradition started by Louis' father who came to Portsmouth from the Azores when he was 13 and purchased the land in 1937. Preserving the land as well as the tradition of the working family farm will be Louis and Jane Escobar's legacy. Highland Farm produces dairy cows and local milk that is part of the wildly successful Rhody Fresh cooperative, sells Christmas trees and compost, and hosts farm tours, hay rides, and much more. From the corn maze in the early fall to the annual July 4^th fireworks, the farm is a tradition that means everything to the Escobars.