Cranberry Township taking good steps with Powell Farm
It’s nice to see a municipality take its time when considering the use of a property it received as a gift after the death of its former owner.
For more than a year-and-a-half, a Cranberry Township committee has been examining potential uses for the Powell Farm, gifted to the township in March 2023 by Andy Hack after the death of the farm’s owner, Denton Powell. On Thursday, Dec. 12, the 10-person committee presented short- and long-term plans for the farm, which included plans to hire a caretaker and perform a feasibility study to advance educational goals and partnerships.
It’s not every day that a municipality is gifted with property — much less a 71-acre farm that has been in a family for more than 150 years — so the initial excitement of the supervisors likely came with some pressure to ensure it was put to good use.
Seeing that the supervisors didn’t take sole responsibility for the farm, but tasked a committee to scope out its future and develop a plan, was a sensible way to gain the trust of not only the Powell family, but the community at-large.
Of course, a 150-year-old farm comes with some expenses, which the township is also getting ahead of. Setting aside more than $100,000 from the township’s 2025 budget to hire a caretaker for the farm was a big step in setting the property on the path toward being a public amenity accessible for everyone.
The committee also proposed plans for seven to 10 years down the road that include evaluating the potential of living and working on the farm — making the gift an ever-evolving asset to Cranberry Township.
While there will likely be more costs associated with the farm in the coming years, the Powell Farm Advisory Committee will remain active, keeping an eye on the gift for township officials and the public alike.
Residents said Denton Powell left a legacy, now it's up to the township team to carry on that legacy.
— ET
