Wasatch County approves up to $1 million to protect historic Holmes family dairy

Wasatch County Council voted unanimously on Feb. 5 to authorize up to $1,000,000 from the county’s 2018 open-space bond to assist Utah Open Lands in securing a conservation easement on the Holmes family dairy (GH Squared Property LLC).

The approved request covers a 52-acre parcel of irrigated pasture and cropland used in the family dairy operation. Utah Open Lands and the applicants presented project materials that estimate the total conservation-easement value at about $7,350,000 and note the family’s proposed contribution of $1,950,000 toward that value.

Council approval came after a public hearing and staff presentation. The motion was made and seconded on the council floor; the vote was recorded as unanimous. Council members who voted in favor included Mark, Eric, Colleen, Kendall, Luke and Spencer.

Utah Open Lands explained the application is designed to protect the pastoral fields (hay and grazing land) rather than the dairy buildings; the presentation showed two building envelopes reserved within the easement for potential future family residences (one house per envelope). Marissa Fenwick of Utah Open Lands told the council the parcel contains prime soils (91% prime or soils of statewide importance) and that 56 acre-feet of historical water use for the 52 acres would be encumbered by the easement.

Project financing described to the council included pending NRCS RCPP funding (about $3.9 million pending), private fundraising through Utah Open Lands’ Northfield Protection Initiative, possible LeRay McAllister support and other donations. The county’s requested $1,000,000 would fill part of the remaining funding need if other commitments are realized.

Public comment included praise for the Holmes family and support for preserving dairy operations and local agricultural history. Longtime farmer George Holmes addressed the council and spoke informally about the property’s history and community value.

The council’s approval included standard closing conditions: county counsel review of the draft easement and closing documents, receipt of a certified conservation-easement appraisal, a title report and a requirement that county funds be coordinated so that they are disbursed contemporaneously with the other committed funding sources at closing.

Why it matters: Council members and presenters framed the vote as preserving a disappearing local agricultural heritage. Utah Open Lands noted the parcel’s prime soils, water rights and connectivity to the Northfield parcels that support the broader dairy operation.

Next steps: Utah Open Lands and county staff will complete appraisal and title work and align closing documents; the council’s funds will be released when the settlement statement and other funder commitments are in place.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve up to $1,000,000 from 2018 open-space bond funds for the GH Squared Property LLC (Holmes family dairy) conservation easement; mover: not specified in the public transcript; second: not specified in the public transcript; outcome: approved unanimously (Mark — yes; Eric — yes; Colleen — yes; Kendall — yes; Luke — yes; Spencer — yes).