Supporting Young Family Farm; their proposal for Responsible Agritourism fits Under the Comprehensive Plan

To the Planning Board of Little Compton, Rhode Island:

We, the undersigned residents, neighbors, customers, and supporters of Little Compton, are in support of Young Family Farm and petition the Planning Board to RECONSIDER AND REJECT the proposed recommendation that seeks to prohibit farm-promotion events—including weddings, baby showers, and gatherings—on working family farms.

WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING & SUPPORTING:

By signing this petition, you are agreeing that limited, responsibly managed farm events—including farm-to-table gatherings, milestone celebrations, and weddings—DIRECTLY FIT within Little Compton’s Comprehensive Plan.

These events are not general commercial functions; they are vital agritourism activities that directly feature, showcase, and support our farm-grown produce, specialty flowers, and local agricultural partners. This additional source of revenue will not change the primary farming operation of Young Family Farm, rather it is supplemental to our current operations we have been running since 1997. Our goal is to diversify our business, allowing for the next generation, our daughters and grandchildren more opportunities to keep the farm running and in our family. 

Just like a traditional farm-to-table dinner, hosting limited events (including weddings, showers, rehearsal dinners, etc) on farm property connects the public to our working  land while generating necessary supplemental revenue. We have already hosted a small number of these events for our daughters, responsibly, and without complaints from our neighbors. 

Preserving our town’s rural character and state-protected open spaces requires keeping working family farms economically viable for future generations. Our family dates back to the first Peckhams of Little Compton, we intend to keep our family rooted in the community while also pressing for the betterment of our town. We want to see the next generation, not only in our family but also among our town residents, be able to grow a business and support their families. We believe our family has an important role in making sure that happens. 

A QUESTION OF FAIRNESS & EQUAL ZONING:

• Little Compton already successfully balances noise, traffic, and evening hours for weddings and private gatherings held at private clubs and historic venues located within residential zoning districts. Working family farms are simply asking for a similar, clear set of ground rules—subject to the exact same 9:00 PM time cutoffs and noise limits—so we can keep our state-protected farmland economically viable.
• Farm-to-Table Dinners vs. Farm-to-Table Weddings: How is a farm-to-table wedding reception functionally any different from a farm-to-table dinner experience? Both utilize the exact same farm-grown produce, specialty flowers, local caterers, guest caps, and evening hours. Restricting a farm based on who is sitting at the table—rather than how the land is used—is arbitrary land-use regulation.
• Specific daytime gatherings on the farm (such as birthday parties, bridal showers, or baby showers) function much like traditional "flower workshops" or seasonal apple picking. Beyond featuring our field-to-table produce and flowers, the core activities at these events where workshops are requested, they actively promote the farm's primary agricultural purpose. Giving guests hands-on opportunities to learn about local agriculture, master floral arranging with farm-grown blooms, and experience harvest activities like apple picking or pumpkin picking/painting.

We urge the Planning Board to work collaboratively with Young Family Farm to adopt a fair, balanced policy with the following reasonable safeguards:

1. Agricultural Focus: Events will showcase farm-grown produce, native flowers, and regional farm products.
2. Capped Frequency & Guest Limits: Events will be strictly capped in number each season, limited to 175 guests, and contained to designated areas next to the farm stand.
3. Neighbor-Friendly Standards: All events will respect local noise ordinances and strictly abide by the town's standard 9:00 PM music cutoff.
4. State-Vetted Land Use: The State of Rhode Island has already vetted and approved event usage on this state-protected farmland; local guidelines should regulate it responsibly, not enforce a blanket ban.
5. Our proposed Two-Year Pilot Program:To demonstrate that we can balance business viability with being good neighbors, we respectfully request an expansion of permitted uses via a Special Use Permit for a two-year Pilot Program:

• • Frequency of Evening Events: A maximum of 10 evening events per year.
  • Small Events: Flexibility for smaller, often daytime gatherings (50 guests or fewer) such as birthday parties, bridal/baby showers, and educational workshops.
  • Scale: A strict cap of 175 guests for all events.
  • Curfew: For all evening events, all music and noise will conclude by 9:00 PM, with final guest departure by 10:00 PM.
  • Agricultural Integrity: We guarantee a high percentage of our own farm-grown food and flowers will be used at every event.

PLEASE DO NOT DONATE ANY MONEY, THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE ASKING AND SIMPLY A CHANGE.ORG SETTING.