Rocky Creek Farm: How a conservation easement kept this land open for agriculture and the community
“If the property hadn’t already been conserved, it probably wouldn’t have happened,” explains Matt Rothschiller, referring to his and his wife, Jacy’s, 2017 purchase of the 50-acre Rocky Creek Farm to expand their Gallatin Valley Botanical (GVB) operations.
Matt and Jacy began GVB in 2003 when they leased two acres of an alfalfa field in Manhattan, Montana. Four years later, they moved closer to Bozeman, purchasing seven acres of their own from Pete Fay, the owner of the neighboring Rocky Creek Farm.
The previous year, in 2006, Fay partnered with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) to establish a conservation easement on Rocky Creek Farm, ensuring the land would remain forever open and intact for agriculture, scenic open space, and wildlife. Fay was able to create the conservation easement with support from the Gallatin County Open Lands program, which covered transaction costs for the project.
“It’s just a piece of magic,” said Fay of the land at the time. “I want it to stay a farm forever.”
That’s why Fay decided to give the Rothschillers, whom he had come to know and trust as neighbors and fellow producers, “first dibs” when he decided to sell the farm a decade later.
Wanting to seize the opportunity to further expand their operations, the Rothschillers worked with a group of investors to help purchase the property.
“The conservation easement created something our investors were willing to help us purchase,” said Jacy.
Conservation easements are voluntary agreements that protect natural resources from unwanted development or fragmentation. The landowner retains ownership and can continue to live on the land and use it for farming, ranching, forestry, recreation, education, or other activities that sustain its resources. If the land is sold, as in the case of Rocky Creek Farm, the conservation easement transfers with it, protecting the land forever.
Describing Fay’s operations as “spectacular,” the Rothschillers have carried on many of his Rocky Creek Farm traditions long beloved by the community—including the Fall Festival and pumpkin patch, apple cider press, and U-Pick berries and apples. At the same time, they have established Gallatin Valley Botanical as a staple in the Bozeman community, providing vegetables and flower bouquets to local restaurants, the Community Food Co-op, Farmers’ Markets, and families through their CSA program, while also diversifying into animals, raising and selling meat and eggs along with their produce.
Wanting to share their passion for local agriculture and landscapes, the Rothschillers have also built a robust education program, offering week-long Summer Camps to more than 200 local kids each year, Spring and Fall Farm School programming, and more.
Continuing in Fay’s tradition of keeping the farm open to the community, the Rothschillers also recently introduced Nordic skiing on Rocky Creek Farm and neighboring properties. Matt began by grooming four kilometers of trails on Rocky Creek Farm.
“We received great feedback, so I chatted with our neighbors and MSU, which owns property nearby, and was able to expand to 12.5 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails, including both classic and skate skiing tracks,” shares Matt. “There are stunning views in all directions. From the Rocky Creek bottom, you see the Gallatin Valley and surrounding mountains from a different aspect.”
As “successor landowners,” the Rothschillers have a unique perspective on owning land with a conservation easement. While they did not establish it themselves, they partner with GVLT to ensure Fay’s vision is honored and to discuss land management practices that enhance the conservation values.
“We enjoy the collaboration with GVLT and appreciate their forward thinking,” says Jacy.
Community members are invited to enjoy an afternoon on the conserved Rocky Creek Farm at GVLT’s biennial Field Day Community Celebration and Picnic on Sunday, September 7. Get pay-what-you-can tickets now for the “come y’all” event, including local food, family fun, live music, and friends—both old and new.
Also visit Gallatin Valley Botanical at Rocky Creek Farm’s website to learn more about the 57-acre certified-organic farm, upcoming educational opportunities, the annual Fall Festival, season passes for Nordic skiing, and more.
This is the fourth in a five-article series presented by Gallatin Valley Land Trust and Gallatin County to celebrate the Gallatin County Open Lands Program and its significant impact in the region.