Save the Bean Family Farm!
Why This Matters
The Bean Family has been farming in New England for 14 generations and in Westwood since the 1950s. Today, the Bean Farm on Clapboardtree Street is the last working farm in Westwood.
The farm provides:
Fresh, local fruits, vegetables, pumpkins, Christmas trees, and livestock products.
Open space and scenic views along Clapboardtree Street.
A connection to Westwood’s history and rural character.
But rising costs and limited farmland put the Bean Farm at risk. Without more land, the farm cannot continue — and if it closes, the land will be lost to development.
Meet The Farmer, Chris Bean
Farmer, Conservationist, and 14th Generation Agriculturist
Christopher Bean is the owner and operator of the Bean Family Farm in Westwood, MA, and the 14th generation of his family to farm in New England. A graduate of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chris earned his degree in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in crop production and management.
Chris grew up working the fields with his grandfather and has led the farm since 2010, expanding its crops, improving soil health, and making the farm a trusted source of fresh, locally grown food. Under his leadership, the Bean Family Farm has become known not only for nourishing the community but also for its commitment to sustainable, regenerative practices.
As both a farmer and a conservationist, Chris works to protect farmland, wildlife habitats, and Westwood’s rural character. He serves on the board of directors of the Norfolk County Farm Bureau and is often consulted by farmers across Massachusetts for his expertise in modern farming methods and farmland preservation.
Proud to carry on a tradition dating back to 1652, Chris is dedicated to growing healthy food, being a responsible steward of the land, and ensuring that farming remains a vital part of Westwood’s future.
Bean Family Farm has been featured in local publications. See our stories.
The Land Dispute
Directly behind the Bean Farm is an 8-acre open field known as Prout Farm / Clapboardtree Meadows. The Town of Westwood owns this land, and it is protected by a Conservation Restriction (CR) overseen by the Westwood Land Trust.
Here’s the truth:
The CR explicitly allows agriculture as a permitted use — including planting, plowing, and even a farmstand.
The Town of Westwood supports using this land for farming
The Westwood Land Trust, however, has categorically refused to allow any farming, ignoring the CR’s language and purpose.
Because of this, the Town was forced to file a lawsuit to affirm its right to allow farming on the property.
This fight isn’t just about the Bean Farm — it’s about preserving farmland, open space, and food security for our entire community.
Bean Family Farmland
PRIME FARMLAND
The land in question, has been designated by the USDA - NRCS as prime agricultural soils conducive to farming
WETLANDS MAP
Shown here, wetlands only found on the outskirts of the field, proper buffers would be in place to protect these important habitats
Proposed Acreage Map
PROPOSED ACREAGE MAP
The land in question, “Clapboardtree Meadows” shown in yellow, wrapping around/abutting Bean Farm land
How Farming Benefits Conservation
Contrary to what some may believe, responsible farming is active conservation of our precious open lands. With regenerative methods, farming enhances the environment:
Biodiversity: Crop diversity, buffer strips, pollinator plantings, and cover crops create habitat for birds, pollinators, and wildlife.
Soil Health: Farming will restore the field’s degraded, acidic soil into healthy, productive soil that sustains ecosystems and flora life.
Open Space Preservation: Active farming prevents invasive species, keeps scenic fields open and productive to benefit our community, and protects against development.
Climate Resilience: Regenerative agriculture improves water retention, carbon storage, and resilience against drought and storms.
Without farming, the field will continue to remain neglected and unproductive. With farming, it will thrive as a managed, biodiverse, and beautiful part of Westwood.
Community Benefits
Allowing the Bean Farm to expand means:
Access to local food for Westwood and surrounding community residents.
Continued stewardship of farmland and wildlife habitat.
Protection of rural character and scenic views along Clapboardtree Street.
Preventing development that would erase farmland forever.
How You Can Help
The future of the Bean Farm depends on community support.
Contact the Westwood Land Trust and urge them to allow farming on the Clapboardtree Meadows/Prout Farm land: Contact Link.
Email the Westwood Select Board at selectboard@townhall.westwood.ma.us to voice your support.
Spread the word on social media and with your neighbors: share why saving the farm matters to you.
Together, we can ensure that the Bean Farm remains Westwood’s last farm — not Westwood’s next development site.
FAQs
-
No. The Conservation Restriction (CR) for Prout Farm explicitly lists agriculture as a permissible use. The purpose was always to conserve farmland, scenic views, and open space — not to forbid farming.
-
The Town of Westwood owns Prout Farm. The Westwood Land Trust holds a CR over it but cannot “unreasonably withhold” approval for farming.
-
The Bean Farm currently has about 10 farmable acres, which is not enough to sustain operations. Expanding into the 8-acre Prout Farm field is critical to remain viable.
-
The Bean Farm’s Agricultural Use Plan outlines regenerative practices: crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, pollinator habitats, and strict conservation standards. These methods improve soil, water, and biodiversity.
-
If the Bean Farm shuts down, the property will likely be developed, removing farmland and open space forever. This would permanently alter Westwood’s rural landscape.
-
By contacting the Westwood Land Trust and Select Board, spreading awareness, and showing support for responsible agriculture on conserved land.
Farm & Legal Documents
Want to dive deeper? Here are the original documents that explain the history, legal background, and our plan for sustainable farming:
We encourage everyone to be informed. The more you learn, the more you’ll see why saving the Bean Farm matters to Westwood’s future.
Save The Bean Family Farm – Save Westwood’s Future
The future of Westwood’s last farm depends on community voices. By speaking up, you can help ensure the Bean Family Farm continues to provide fresh local food, preserve open space, and protect the town’s rural character.