Trustees of the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust (AgTrust) voted last month to prohibit the use of crop cannons on certain parcels of land it currently leases out for farming, meaning residents in at least one neighborhood who have long complained about the loud, incessant blasts from the machines will experience peace and quiet during the next few growing seasons.

In a recent email message to resident Steve Maher, AgTrust chairman Bill Richmond said the prohibition is in effect for the term of the lease, meaning crop cannons cannot be used for the next three years on parcels of AgTrust land leased for farming close to Maher’s neighborhood.

Farmers use the cannons as a way of deterring crop damage by birds, and residents such as Maher have consistently complained to the town that the noise – as much as 700 cannon shots throughout the day for more than 12 hours a day – has destroyed their quality of life to such an extent that they cannot entertain outside during the months of July and August. 

Richmond told Maher that it seemed highly likely that a viable alternative bird control method can be found, and he said the AgTrust would be actively involved in finding and implementing those methods. The prohibition order, he said, seemed like a sensible compromise between responding to the neighborhood distress and eliminating crop cannons forever.

While the prohibition represents a solution for Maher and those in his immediate vicinity, it is unlikely devices that have been used by farmers in other areas of town in prior growing seasons will fall silent this summer.

Town councilor Gary Mataronas began working last year on behalf of the council to find solutions, and he has promised residents who have filed complaints that he would continue to seek solutions before this year’s growing season gets underway.

Although Mataronas was not available for comment, council president Bob Mushen said this week the town will continue to focus on the issue, in coordination with other town and state organizations, to reach mutually-agreeable solutions before the cannons are next deployed.