MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) – For almost 50 years, Superstition Farm has been a neighborhood meals supply for the Mesa neighborhood, a secure haven for rescued livestock, and a spot for agricultural schooling. “Our household farmed right here, we constructed roads within the 70s and introduced utilities,” mentioned Casey Stechnij, a third-generation farmer and proprietor of Superstition Farm.

Casey now fights to avoid wasting the dairy farm subsequent door, which she says was bought to a neighbor whereas her father was dying of most cancers. He instructed Arizona’s Household that the neighbor had promised to not promote and run the farm, however that did not occur. Quickly 17 acres of land will flip into tons of of properties. “With each acre that’s developed, we lose our historical past that can by no means get replaced,” Casey mentioned.

In 2019, Mesa Metropolis Council permitted a improvement plan referred to as Hawes Crossing, which allowed Lennar, a improvement firm, to transform the land into residential buildings, however councilman Kevin Thompson voted in opposition to it. He worries that properties can be put within the flight path of Gateway Airport, eliminating job alternatives. “We actually needed to see extra manufacturing, extra work than housing,” he mentioned.

Arizona’s Household reached out to Lennar and spoke to them on the telephone, however on Tuesday night time they mentioned they’d no assertion. Casey wrote an open letter to Lennar on social media, suggesting they construct across the farm moderately than on prime of it. “There’s sufficient land right here that we are able to construct a public backyard for the adjoining Lennar neighborhood and host farmers’ markets,” Casey careworn.

Thompson mentioned this might be a win-win state of affairs for Lennar and the farm. “Each the farm and the housing can thrive collectively and I feel it is an excellent thought,” he mentioned.

In the meantime, Casey’s household and the farm have acquired plenty of help from neighborhood members like Larry Johnson, who says the farm is a basic component to the neighborhood. “For the youngsters to exit and find out how the farm works and get actual produce constituted of the farm,” he mentioned.

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