A real estate sign is staked into the ground just a few feet from the farm stand on Federal Road.

The property — it includes a 1.1-acre parcel at 134 Lincoln Ave. and a 3.24-acre spread at 0 Federal Road — has been a farm for more than a century, churning out tomatoes, corn, eggplants, beans and more.

Owned by the Vendituoli family since the late 1800s, the property most recently has played host to the Barrington Farm School, where a small group of volunteers teach middle school and high school students the basics of agriculture.

Volunteers have been hoping to make the Barrington Farm School a permanent fixture in town, and they have received plenty of support. About two months ago, Rhode Island Lt. Governor Dan McKee stopped by for a tour of the property and purchased some local honey. 

But when the land was recently listed on the real estate market, some questioned the future of the farm school. Open lots in Barrington are often quickly purchased by developers and turned into single-family homes.

Tim Faulkner, one of the farm school founders, said he was not surprised when the property hit the real estate market. He does, however, hope that those managing the Vendituoli estate decide to sell it to the Barrington Land Conservation Trust. Officials from the land trust made an offer to purchase the property.

"I think we have a fairly competitive offer," said Mr. Faulkner. 

He added: "This is the last farm in Barrington. We've had a lot of positive feedback (on the farm school). We've been running it for a while. We think this can be a huge asset to the community."

Mr. Faulkner has been spent about two years trying to find a way to help preserve the Vendituoli property from development. A former land trust president, Mr. Faulkner was pleased when the trust decided to make an offer to purchase the property. He said it has been 11 years since the land trust last purchased a property — the acquisition of the 12-acre Sowams Woods parcel located near the corner of Washington Road and South Lake Drive.

Should the land trust's offer be accepted by the Vendituoli estate, officials will commit to a significant fund-raising campaign. Mr. Faulkner said some of the money would likely come from grants, while a portion of it would come from private donors.

"I think Barrington is a community that has the desire and the means to help with the acquisition," he said. 

Mr. Faulkner wrote a commentary for last week's Barrington Times, referencing the need to protect the farm school land from development. 

"Enthusiasm for the farm school is growing, but again there is pressure to sell the land for house lots," Mr. Faulkner wrote. "The farm school is working with land conservation groups to protect the property but support from the community in many forms will be required to save Barrington’s remaining connection to its long agricultural past."

Mr. Faulkner said town officials have also shown a willingness to discuss the preservation of the property. 

There was a probate court hearing regarding the property on Monday morning, Oct. 2. Mr. Faulkner said no decisions were made during the hearing. 

What is the farm school?

A small group of volunteers started the Barrington Farm School about three years ago.

Tim Faulkner, Candace Clavin, Milos Mirkovic, Kelvin Misiurski, Suzanne Brushart, Daniel Penengo and others began working the farm with permission from the land's owner, Billy Vendituoli. The all-volunteer effort offers young residents a chance to learn more about farming and also keeps a healthy piece of land quite productive. 

Mr. Vendituoli, whose family has owned the property since 1897, passed away last year and the land is now part of his estate. 

Volunteers like Ms. Clavin, who ran a large farm for more than a decade outside of Syracuse, N.Y., help work with schoolchildren and others to produce all sorts of tasty treats.

Mr. Faulkner said the Barrington Farm School first considered working with the local public school department but has instead settled on hosting student groups such as the high school's environmental club or middle school's green team.

What's it worth?

There are two parcels on the Vendituoli property listed for sale. Following is information provided from the town's 2016 assessments:

n 134 Lincoln Ave.: 46,536-square-foot-lot including a 1,200-square-foot home; valued at $318,700

n 0 Federal Road: 141,190-square-foot-lot including a small outbuilding; valued at $251,200