Cache fruit farm preserved

The Trust for Public Land announced last week that federal and state grants, and local financial support, will help preserve the Zollinger fruit and tree farm as agricultural open space.

The Zollinger farm, located between Logan and River Heights near Providence in Cache County, has been in the Zollinger family for more than 100 years. The 48-acre orchard of apples and nursery stock has been a place for families to experience the region and taste the popular Zollinger apple cider. Now the farm will remain an open space free of development.

The Zollinger family will continue to own and manage the farm, according to the Trust for Public Land.

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation organization. This is the fourth Cache Valley farm it has helped preserve.

"Our family would like to thank the people at the Trust for Public Land," said Ron Zollinger, third-generation owner and manager of the farm. "This is one of the few organizations that is effective in helping landowners realize another option besides development."

Individuals and foundations helped the trust raise $80,000 to supplement federal and state funds. The project also received grants and help from the Zollinger family.

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