Land Bank Thanks Hunting Community After First Season With New Agricultural Processing Center

To the editor: As our local hunting season comes to an end, the Land Bank extends a heartfelt thank‑you to everyone who helped make this season a true community success. This was the first year of venison processing at 19 Boynton Lane, and the number of deer donated to MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest program far exceeded expectations. We are especially grateful to the hunters who generously contributed deer; their participation made it possible to bring this statewide program to Nantucket for the first time. Responsible hunting remains the single most important tool in managing the island’s deer population, and this effort showcased the generosity of the hunting community while strengthening connections between hunters and Nantucket residents.

When we began planning the Agricultural Processing Center, we believed that processing even a single donated deer for the Food Pantry would make our first year a success. After more than two months of work, and 58 donated deer, we are proud to share that, through our partnership with Nourish Nantucket, over 900 pounds of ground venison have been delivered to local food‑security programs. This partnership allowed the Land Bank to focus on receiving and processing the deer while Nourish Nantucket ensured the meat reached those who need it most. Their support has been invaluable, and we could not have achieved this impact without them.

Public lands are enjoyed by many user groups, and this requires all of us to be mindful and respectful of one another. We support and encourage the wide range of ways people use and enjoy Land Bank properties, and we are always grateful when visitors care for each other and the land. Looking back on this season, we are reminded of what is possible when people come together around shared goals and of the strength that comes from a community’s relationship with the land and with one another.

Rachael Freeman
Executive director, Nantucket Land Bank