Summer 2010 Valley Trust Newsletter, Three Valley Conservation Trust

8/9/2019 Summer 2010 Valley Trust Newsletter, Three Valley Conservation Trust

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Valley TrustNEWS

Number 42 / SUMMER 2010

Submitted by Clancy Calkins

Ernst and Marcia Schlichter recentlysigned an easement for their 159-acrefarm in Reily Township. The farmis located on the southern border of the Indian Creek watershed andmarks the newest addition in a stringof easements along the creek. Theeasement- lled area is ever expandingfrom the creek borders. In an interviewwith Marcia Schlichter, she explained,"Three Valley Conservation Trust hasscouted the area out as a priority spotfor conservation. The idea of a safehaven has solidi ed our view of thecountry by putting three farms under [recent] easements. It is really beautifulhere… we want to preserve it.”

When asked what in uenced her and her husband to chooseto put their farm under easement, she said with a chuckle,“They [TVCT] scouted us out! Ann Geddes, who workswith the trust, is a pro-conservation neighbor. She came tous three years ago with the idea.”

Marcia went on to admit that she and her husband were

leery at rst. “We thought the ‘the state has somethingto do with this,’ and, ‘there will be a lot of paperwork'.”Fortunately when she and her husband learned more aboutthe Trust, they found that putting their property under easement was an excellent idea.

“There are nothing but positive things to say here. We wantto leave a legacy for future generations.”

Marcia explained that this program (ODA's AgriculturalEasement Protection Program) is “competitive throughoutthe state.” Even though she and her husband were notgranted the easement until year three of applying for AEPP,

Snapshots! People & their landSnapshots! People & Their Land provides stories of the people and the lands they protect. We hope that you will enjoy getting toknow a little about your neighbors.

Snapshot 1:We Want to Leave a Legacy for Future Generations...

Working With People & Communities to Conserve the Natural Environment & Cultural Heritage of SW Ohio

she said that it was not adif cult process.

“I was worried at rst. Ithought, I have too much todo at school! We can’t writea grant here, too! But ThreeValley's Land ProtectionCommittee helps a lot with the

paperwork. It was a very easy process for us, thanks to ThreeValley Conservation Trust.”

When asked what advice shecould give for landownersconsidering easements shesaid, “It must be a family

decision. No one can develop or build on the land forever… and so it is a big decision.”

Marcia explained that they have four adult children whowere involved in the decision-making before the familyapplied for the grant. She says even though they are notliving on the farm, they had to be included, with the ideathat the farm will be in the family for some time.

“The four kids all agreed they don’t want the farm to beturned into a gas station or a subdivision,” Marcia said.

The Schlichter’s written agreement for the easement is notexible, but not in a negative way. The way the process

works is that each landowner applying for an easement canwrite in a contract what is and is not allowed in terms of development on the land. The Schlichter’s knew that theyintended to continue to use it for crops as well as livestock and didn’t need to get creative with the stipulations of theeasement.

“We plan to continue to farm it. That’s what we’re herefor… we just love this land!” z

Ernst & Marcia Schlichter


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LIVInggreen (berg)

Table of ContentsSnapshot 1: We Want to Leave a Legacy for Future Generations ..................... ....................... ............... 1

Auction for Acres 2010 ...................... ...................... ........ 1

TVCT Thanks W.E. Smith Family Charitable Trust ........ 2

Living Green(berg) .................... ....................... ............... 2Look It Over by Wendell Berry .......................................2

From the Desk of Larry Frimerman ................................3

TVCT Teams with 3 Twin Creek Area Working Farmsto Protect Streams, Fish, Water Supply .................... ........ 4

Snapshot 2: Family Ties Inspire Preble County EasementDonation ................... ....................... ....................... ........... 5

An Extraordinary Evening for Conservation ................... 6

Heron Hullabaloo 2010 ...................... ...................... ........ 7

Consider Helping Yourself & TVCT at the Same Time .. 7

TVCT Cooperates with Farmers, County and LocalGovernments To Apply To Preserve Area Farms ................. 8

TVCT Protects 2 Oxford Township Stream-side Farms .. 9

Purslane: The Cinderella of Superfoods ..................... .... 10

How to Join the Trust ..................... ....................... ........... 11

Board of Trustees .................................................................12

Calendar ...................... ....................... ...................... ........ 12

G o i n' s hi n' ! S e e y a i n t he f all...

Look It Over...by Wendell Berry

I leave behind even

my walking stick. My knifeis in my pocket, but thatI have forgot. I bringno car, no cell phone,

no computer, no camera,no CD player, no fax, noTV, not even a book. I go

into the woods. I sit down ona log provided at no cost.

It is the earth I've come to,the earth itself, sadly

abused by the stupidity

only humans are capable of but, as ever, itself. Free.

A bargain! Get it while it lasts!

Wendell Berry and his wifeTanya farm with horses near the farms of their son and their daughter. His essays,his collections of poems and

stories and his novels haveestablished him as one of

America's leading prophetic voices devoted to the advocacy of aloving stewardship of the land . z

Three Valley Conservation Trust Thanks W.E. SmithFamily Charitable Trust

The Three Valley Conservation Trust thanks the SmithFamily Charitable Trust for a $1,000 grant to assist theTrust in researching and documenting new Ohio HistoricInventory and/or National Register properties. Thisgrant will be used to help landowners identify their farmhistories as a tool to help improve their opportunity to

permanently protect their family farms through state,federal and other land conservation programs. The Trustwill work with landowners and local researchers to gather information on 8-10 new historic properties and le newOhio Historic Inventory forms as part of the Ohio-widehistoric database. The documentation of these historicstructures/properties will be included in a digital database.The Trust plans to coordinate with Oxford Museum Assn.,

Smith Library, etc., and then be able to make a map withGIS available on our website that would be publiclyavailable. The Three Valley Conservation Trust is gratefulfor the support and partnership with the W.E. Smith FamilyCharitable Trust and its Board. z


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F m he Desk f...

L arry F rimer manExEcutivE DirEctor

For many, summer isa time of recharging

batteries, of smellingthe outdoors, barbecues,road trips, and hikes. For farmers, the heat, and if lucky, rains bring newgrowth, opportunitiesfor a breather between

planting and harvesting,and squeezing in or catching up. Sweet corn and tomatostands abound, and farmers' markets such as the Uptownand Original in Oxford, and those in Eaton, etc. ,thankfully are ourishing. It is a time for celebrating the

bounty of locally grown foods.

While this summer has had its periods of scorchers herein southwestern Ohio and SE Indiana, we’ve had plentyof rain. The corn exceeded six feet in June throughout theTrust’s service area. With good weather, the crop couldeven exceed last year’s personal records for our workingagricultural easement farms.

For my family and that of a number of TVCT Boardmembers, members and volunteers, it is a time of vacation, and squeezing in all the business we can

possibly accomplish while we can. Managing existinglands protected and nishing current commitments for land conservation agreements have been our major effort

post-Clean Ohio AEPP applications this summer.

Indeed, the logjam of state and federally blessedconservation and agricultural easement agreements thatgripped pending 2008-9 contracts nally was releasedin May, so this summer the Trust has already completed

ve new easements with two more expected yet thismonth. Still, nine more preapproved government-fundedeasements are pending for completion later this year. Mythanks to the Smith, Walker, Hamm, Crowe-Seim, andStiver families for your generosity! Together you have

protected over two miles of high quality stream, 559acres of mixed habitat and working lands for posteritywith Trust. Thank you for your faith in our partnership!

Volunteers have been busy organizing events such as thetruly amazing Midsummer Evening For Conservation

hosted by Frank House with guest Chef Anne Kearney headlining the specialcast of culinary marvels that Frank andAnn Geddes nurtured. To the committeeand the 55 generous attendees on a warmFather's Day this past June 20 at theSugar Valley Farm easement, we are sograteful. So, too is our appreciation for the Auction Committee organizing the

November 6, 2010, Auction for Acres.They are seeking your donations, cottagesand participation in the event, promising

to eclipse the outstanding 2009 Auction.As always, our hardworking Board led by DolphGreenberg, Ron Stewart, Sam Fitton, Roger Millar, SteveGordon and Ben Jones (our Executive Committee) havedone heavy lifting to support staff and volunteers. Of ceManager Mary Glasmeier has provided continued stellar efforts. Last Spring’s interns Sam Cole, Nick Hoffbauer (GIS) and Leeanne Cornyn (research) have been ablyfollowed by Christine Deckard and graduate intern CharlieFord (GIS) to assist our volunteer Monitoring Coordinator Lois Nelson, Mary and me in expanding of ce efforts.

We will miss departing Board members Chris Worrell andStephen Eshbaugh for your signi cant gifts of time to theTrust – Chris, thanks for continuing your legal thoughts!

So, too, is our thankfulness for recent grants the Trust hasreceived from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the W.E.Smith Family Charitable Trust, and the Land Trust Alliance.We cherish your recognition and support of our historic andhistorical efforts to bring about lasting change for our threevalleys.

We are especially grateful for your continuing commitmentsto the Trust in our trying economic times. Without you,

we cannot make it through this transitional time until our endowments are suf cient to carry our basic bare bonesoperation. Your annual gifts are vital in this effort. Your legacy gifts bring land conservation in this area to a wholenew level!

Development Committee members such as Cal Conradare available to meet with you to help nd ways to leavea conservation and lo cal farm legacy through the ThreeValley Conservation Trust. Every dollar you contribute

brings us closer to sustainability! Again – thanks! We can’tdo it without you! z



Three Twin Creek area farms have partnered with the Trustto permanently protect their stream-side properties fromdevelopment. The Trust secured state Clean Ohio funds tohelp protect the land at a price far below the developmentvalue to keep the Twin Creek watershed among Ohio’s topstreams.

Generous Ohioans Richard Hamm on Twin Creek andMarkey Run, the Crowe and Seim families (Tom's RunFarms LLC) on Tom's Run, and the Sonny, Flora and WallyStiver family on Little Twin Creek have sacri ced future

nancial payoff to ensure that their properties will always provide stream protection and ground water purity byrecently signing conservation easement agreements withthe Three Valley Conservation Trust. The Trust successfullyapplied for funding at the Ohio Public Works Commission

(OPWC) to competitively secure funds to help theselandowners achieve their conservation dreams.

These three properties and their landowners have a lot incommon. They all: 1) protect stream frontage and improvestream quality on a major stream in the Twin Creek watershed; 2) enhance the continuing viability of workingSW Ohio farms; 3) have woodlands; 4) protect scenicviews and recreational potential within the watershed; and5) have historic homes and barns.

The Hamm conservation easement links three conservationeasements along Twin Creek north of West Alexandria andcombines with eight other existing protected properties toform a contiguous block of 1,700 acres under agriculturaland/or conservation easement in Twin Township, PrebleCounty. With the completion of three additional pendingeasements, this block of adjacent protected lands will growto over 2,300 acres by next year. All told, the steep bluffs,diverse woods, rich bottomlands and upland elds providea great mix of habitats for wildlife. A former TownshipTrustee, Hamm recalls the time when the TVCT rst soughtthe support of the Twin Twp. Trustees. Now his own 100-acre property will forever be as it is today.

Steve and Doug Crowe took the lead on protecting their farming legacy through the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund(COCF) and the Trust’s Cooperative Agreement with theUS Department of Agriculture’s Federal Farm and RanchLands Protection Program (FRPP). The c. 1850 brick farmhouse sits on a rise overlooking neighboring farmsas well as the Tom's Run Valley. The 119-acre Tom's RunFarms became the anchor for a nascent block of farms soonto be protected in Perry Township, adjoining nearby TwinTownship farms.

Steve Crowe re ected on the township’s zoning as being

the toughest with respect to the agricultural economy of nearly any township in Ohio. The township adopted a rulerestricting agricultural lot splits, removing all by-right

property divisions – if a farmer wishes to split off a lot for development, the proposal must meet all levels of the code

before the Zoning Board considers whether to approve avariance to permit, and then only a single lot split of nomore than 25% of the agricultural land may be developed.

“This easement helps to carry out one of the township’score priorities – preserving agricultural land. "

Likewise, the Stiver Farm preserves a lengthy stretch of

the banks of Little Twin Creek just north of the Village of Germantown, only a couple of miles north of the stream’scon uence with Twin Creek. Wally Stiver commented thathe has already contacted 4H and scouts to involve themwith protecting the stream buffer.

All three farms have US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)Conservation Plans and have worked closely with thelocal Soil & Water Conservation District. Each also will

be participating in efforts with groups such as the US Fish& Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish & Wildlife andPheasants Forever.

The Trust is a Local Sponsor organization that applies tothe COCF and FRPP and provides information on possibletax bene ts for preserving family lands, and other landconservation programs. The Preble and MontgomeryCounties Soil & Water Conservation Districts provide thecalculation of soil values, and together with the NRCS,help farmers to develop farm conservation plans to better

protect soils and other natural resources. These agenciesalso can help landowners with the ins and outs of theAgricultural Security Area and

TVCT Teams with 3 Twin Creek Area WorkingFarms to Protect Streams, Fish, Water Supply

(continued on page 10)



When farming has been the livelihood of a family fromgeneration to generation, preserving that heritage becomesa higher priority than usual. Ron and Sue (Montgomery)Stewart donated a conservation easement on their 81-acre

parcel off Concord-Fairhaven Road in Preble County in2009. The farm had originally been purchased by Ron'sgreat-great-grandfather at the turn of the last century. Itquali es as a Century Farm (i.e., one kept in the samefamily for 100 years or more). With the easement in place,this venerable farm is guaranteed to live out its existenceforever as a farm or open space among the gently rollinghills of Dixon Township.

As a current member of our Board of Trustees, Ronserves as Vice-chairman and also donates his time to theleadership, membership and nance committees. As theAsst. Vice-President and Farm Loan Of cer of Farmer'sState Bank in New Paris, his expertise has been especiallyvaluable to the Trust during the nancial turmoil of the

past several years. "I've never worked with a more diverseand ne organization as this," Ron says of the Trust. "Here

professors and farmers and political opposites can all cometogether because they all put land conservation rst."

Both Ron and Sue have farming backgrounds. Sue's familyfarmed north of Eaton, where she still owns property withher sisters. After graduating from Ohio State Universityand being married in 1973, the Stewarts began their careers: Ron as a vocational agriculture teacher and later as an agricultural loan of cer; and Sue as an elementaryteacher. Ron continued farming as an avocation (althoughwe know this means two full-time shifts back-to-back!).

Ron had learned about the livestock business from hisgrandfather, J. Winburn Stewart. He used to follow himabout the farm asking, as children do, an endless stream of questions. His grandfather, fortunately, loved to converse

– Ron says he could talk with a fence post – and gave the boy the wisdom of his farm experience. "My grandfather and his siblings were not only born on this farm, but theyattended school on this farm,” says Ron. A one-room

brick schoolhouse still stands in a wooded grove on thefarm, being one of nine in Dixon Township housing20-25 kids grades 1-8. These rural schools were located

Snapshot 2:

Family Ties InspirePreble County

Easement Donation

approximately 2-1/2 miles apart to minimize the lengththat any one child would have to walk to attend.

Ron’s parents, Eldon and Betty Stewart, continued raisingAngus cattle, growing corn, soybeans, and wheat for cattle feed. When Ron’s parents moved to town in theearly 1990s, Ron started renting from his dad, originallycontinuing the grain production, but within the last 5-6years all those elds have been converted to pasture or hay.“I want to continue farming until physically unable,” Ronsays. His aim has been to make the cattle production moreself-suf cient and less physically demanding. “We want tocontinue with beef cattle, but we also want to travel, spendtime with our sons, Ryan and John and their families,research genealogy, and pursue other interests.” Thisswitch to pastured beef will allow the Stewarts to continuewith the farm but leave more free time when retirementcomes.

Looking to the future, Ron and Sue honor their farming past. “In a throw-away society with its trash land lls, eachgeneration is becoming more and more separated from theland and what it has meant to the history of our region.Our ancestors have made all the sacri ces, and we’ve doneall the taking. I realize this everyday as I re ect on thegenerations that have farmed this land; and I imagine thevoices of the children at recess when I pass the old school.I feel if we can give back just a bit, by preserving this farmwith the Trust, in the coming years future generations willunderstand those sacri ces and appreciate the heritage thatis now passed on to them.” z

Sue & Ron Stewart



An Extraordinary Eveningfor ConservationFifty- ve special people were honored on Midsummer'sEve, June 20th, with a banquet t for royalty at the idyllicSugar Valley Farm in Preble County. These attendees, plusa few supporters unfortunately unable to attend, raised$13,750 for the operation of the Trust. We are so gratefulfor these sustaining patrons!

One may not be aware, but the Trust receives no state or federal money for the operation and service it providesto local landowners andfarmers who wish to havetheir lands protected in

perpetuity. Every cent tokeep the of ce open andavailable to all who desireour service must comefrom fundraising eventssuch as this.

And while the generosityof these patrons couldnot be returned dollar-for-dollar, the eventorganizers went to extraordinarylengths to make the "thank you"dinner special. Anne Kearneyof restaurant Rue Dumaine

in Dayton, a rising star in theculinary world, donated her timeand skill to transform fresh-

picked produce from local farmsinto plates worthy of amidsummer's dream.The House family(Frank, Mark, Jasonand Laura) set thestage with meticulousattention to every detail,from the splendidgardens and grounds tothe tour and beautifullyappointed table settings.The Event Committee

– Margarette Beckwith,Frank House, AnnGeddes, Jan Krebs and Josette Stanley – provided theorganization coordination. Jerry Stanley coordinated themusicians (The Cincinnati Recorder Consort, and MUMiddletown emeritus professor and professional lutist,

Jim McCutcheon) along withstaging a Midsummer's Eve

pageant. Our thanks also go to

photographer Alan Miller, andto Don Streit, Ray Arlinghausand Cal Conrad for services,

produce and wine.

But the real heros of theevening were you, our supporters who believe that

a better future world depends onstewardship of the land, protectionof natural resources and familyfarms. From the smallest contributor

to those patrons who are able tocontribute more, we are deeplygrateful and appreciative. z

Photos: from the top. Procession of the Queen & King of Midsummer;

Judith Zinsser, Bob Thurston,Gretchen Ziolkowski, Eileen Jeck,

Kirstin Erickson; Jennifer Conklin, Patty & Larry Frimerman; Chef

Ann Kearney & staff; Jason Househosting a wagon tour of Sugar Valley Farm.



Three Valley Conservation Trust is grateful for the participation of historic conservation and farmeasement donors, local donors and sponsors to create anunforgettable evening at its 8th Annual Auction For Acres

bene t to be held Saturday, November 6th, 5:30-10:30 pmat the Knolls of Oxford, 6727 Contreras Road, Oxford.

Auction-goers, history buffs, local food and greensupporters, collectors, and charity-minded residents can

join TVCT for an exciting evening of great food, adult beverages, and auction of trips, original artwork, services,antiques and collector’s items.

The Trust is seeking donated dinners, antiques, relaxingtrips with beautiful scenery, services, guided tours, andcollectibles to be sold in order to support the Trust. Theseitems will go along with antiques, hand-knotted antiqueoriental rugs and three trips already donated for the event.

These valuable vacation getaways, items and serviceswill augment original sketches and paintings beingdonated. Once again, the Trust’s live auction will featureauctioneering by Douglas Ross. Terri c music will again

be donated by Jay Jesse Johnson and friends, who justwowed the crowd at the Oxford Summer Music Festival inJuly.This year’s Auction Chair is Mark Boardman, and the ViceChair is Valerie Edwards Elliott. Dr. Boardman is a MiamiUniversity Professor of Geology and Elliott is the Headof the Smith Library for Regional History at the LaneLibrary.

October 2010! HeronHullabaloo

TVCT Family Picnic

Watch for details!

Auction for Acres 2010 The Knolls of OxfordNovember 6

Auction organizers noted that theTrust’s 2010 Auction For Acres isto net $50,000 for the Trust’soperations. The nonpro torganization’s operating costsare derived from membershipsand contributions to the Auction.This approach has helped thesixteen-year-old Three Valley Conservation Trust toforever protect 93 properties covering over 11,400 acres of farmland, habitat, woodlands and streams.

For a $40 ticket price to the gala event, attendees aretreated to the gourmet food, donated wines and beers,superb music, entertaining auctioneering, and chancesat terri c door prizes for a good cause. The Trust isseeking businesses and donors as event sponsors. This taxdeductible gift helps to recognize the donor organizationor family. A $250 gift enables the donor to be consideredan event Sponsor. For a $500 gift the donor is considered aSilver Sponsor, while a $1,000 gift recognizes the donor asa Gold Sponsor. Finally, donors of $3,000 or more will bethe Grand Sponsors.

Many but not all items will be available in October for viewing online at the Three Valley Conservation Trust'swebsite at www.3vct.org and Mr. Ross’ website at www.auctionross.com. For auction reservations, to donateitems or services, and/or to volunteer, contact us at 5920Morning Sun Road, Oxford, OH 45056, call (513) 524-2150, or visit our website - www.3vct.org. z



8 www.3vct.org Valley Trust NewS

Ohio farm familiesand local communitiesrecently submittedapplications requestingthe Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) to

purchase easements ontheir farmland, whichwould guarantee their lands will forever be

preserved for agriculturaluse. The department

received 203 applicationsfrom 37 counties for the9th round of fundingunder the Clean OhioAgricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP). Of these, Three Valley Conservation Trust (TVCT) submitted21 applications for area farms in Butler, Preble andMontgomery Counties.

“Since the program’s inception, the department’s Of ceof Farmland Preservation has preserved more than33,000 acres of farmland across Ohio though the AEPP,”

said ODA Director Robert Boggs. “These efforts areinstrumental in preserving the future of the state’s $98 billion food and agriculture industry.”

An agricultural easement is a voluntary and legally bindinglimitation placed on a farm. The easement limits the useof the land to predominantly agricultural activity. Theland remains under private ownership and managementand stays on the tax rolls under Current Agricultural UseValuation (CAUV). The farmland can be sold or passedalong as a gift to others at any time, but the restriction

prohibiting non-agricultural development stays with theland.

The department received applications from familiesrequesting more than 29,000 acres be preserved in thefollowing 37 Ohio counties: Ashland (17), Ashtabula (2),Auglaize (1), Brown (3), Butler (1), Champaign (8), Clark (10), Coshocton (1), Delaware (4), Fair eld (29), Fulton(10), Gallia (3), Geauga (1), Greene (5), Henry (1), Huron(1), Knox (9), Licking (7), Logan (14), Lucas (1), Madison(7), Marion (5), Miami (9), Montgomery (9), Morrow (3),Perry (4), Portage (3), Preble (11), Sandusky (1), Seneca(11), Trumbull (3), Tuscarawas (2), Union (1), Vinton (1),

Warren (2), Wayne (2), andWood (1).

Here in southwesternOhio, TVCT serves as thedesignated local sponsor for farms in Montgomery,Preble and Butler Countiesseeking to permanently

protect their farms throughthis government farmland preservation funding source.Of the 21 applications

submitted by TVCT on behalf of area farmers, more than1,800 acres of farmland are seeking to protect. In exchangefor a small grant, the landowner places a permanenteasement restriction to keep the land as a farm forever,regardless of ownership. To date, TVCT has been the LocalSponsor for 22 successful farm applicants approved by theODA. The nonpro t land conservation trust hopes to havefour to ve additional properties offered funding in the

2010 Funding Round.The applications are currently undergoing the rst of atwo-step scoring process. The rst step uses a formula thattakes into account various measurable characteristics of the land. The second step includes a review by the Ohioagriculture director’s 13-member Farmland PreservationAdvisory Board. The Advisory Board evaluates a set of questions designed to provide further insight into the farmand local farmland protection efforts. Scores from bothrounds are combined, and the Advisory Board presents itsrecommendations to Director Boggs.

Since the program’s inception in 2002, the department’sfarmland preservation of ce has received more than 2,400applications. Due to limited funding, the department has

been able to preserve only 172 of those farms, totaling33,460.37 acres in 33 counties. In November 2008,voters overwhelmingly approved a $400 million bondrenewal for the Clean Ohio Fund. The Fund not only helps

preserve farmland but also preserves greenspace, developsrecreational trails, and reclaims brown eld sites. For moreinformation on the Clean Ohio Fund or the AgriculturalEasement Purchase Program, visit www.agri.ohio.gov. z

TVCT Cooperates with farmers, county and localgovernments to Apply to Preserve Area FarmsTVCT Applies for 21 Area Farms Out of More than 200 State-wide Vying for Farmland

Preservation Funds. Ohio Department of Agriculture Begins Application Review Process.

Imolou Wysong on her Ohio Century Farm inMontgomery County



SUMMER 2010 www.3vct.org 9

Two stream-side Oxford area family farms are now forever protected with the help of the Three Valley ConservationTrust. The Carolyn Walker and Walker & Jack D. Smithfarms were permanently protected for agriculture and

stream preservation last week."These two adjacent 88+ acre historical farms protect morethan a half mile of Four Mile Creek just east of Oxford, aswell as the area’s buried valley aquifer which lies beneaththe property,” noted Stephen C. Gordon, a Trust Boardmember from Oxford Township.

The farms were both part of a 200-acre farm with anexisting c. 1830 brick farmhouse settled by WilliamHueston. Three Valley Conservation Trust successfullynavigated the federal system to secure a Federal Farmand Ranchland Protection Program matching grant to

protect these special farms. The 177 additional acres bring the Trust’s Oxford Township easement total to morethan 700 acres, and nearly 2,000 acres in Oxford andReily townships combined. All told, the Trust has helpedlandowners and local governments protect 92 propertiesand over 11,400 acres of prime farmland, wildlife habitatand sensitive stream corridors since its founding in 1994.

“We are so grateful to Three Valley for its efforts to helpour family protect our family farms – these productivelands mean a lot to us, and by protecting them forever wecontinue our good stewardship efforts long after we are

gone," Carolyn Walker said on the occasion of the closing."It’s been a long time coming – we rst contacted the Trustnine years ago when we talkedwith Wally Edwards about our desire. For a while it seemed likeit would never happen, and eachtime, Larry Frimerman calmlysaid be patient – if you reallywant this to happen, we can nda way,”

“Five generations of the Smithfamily have lived on the farm,so it means a lot to us. Our mom, Hazel Smith, was alsoinstrumental in pursuing theconservation easement idea whileshe was living – she was up onthese concepts as a school teacher and was very environmentallyaware.”

“These are high yield, rich bottomlands, and it’s good

to know that once again, TVCT makes it possible for working family farms to continue operations regardless of economic conditions. The land has been in our family for more than one hundred years, so it means a lot. Our father,Jake Smith, farmed until his late nineties. He passed awaya couple of months ago and he knew and approved of the children doing this,” added Jack D. Smith, the other easement donor.

The farms’ agricultural conservation easement purchasewas funded through a 2009 dollar-for-dollar pass-throughgrant allocated for this speci c purpose. Required localmatching funds were contributed through an anonymousgift and supplemented by contributions from neighboringSpringwood Subdivision residents, who greatlyappreciated the permanent buffering of their own lands.

The Smith and Walker easements protect rich, prime bottomland, a wooded hillside and stream-side forest, aswell as precious groundwater resources that could have anin uence on local water supplies. The process has indeed

been a lengthy one; TVCT and the landowners wanted toseparate the easement issue from a possible transportationrouting issue: and waited for the latter issue to be resolved.When the City of Oxford chose the narrow route for a

potential connector road, the Trust sought and receivedconcurrence with City staff in the land trust’s pursuit of federal funds to protect both properties. Of course, thefederal easement funding process took an additional year after rst approval.

Each easement was accompanied by a donation by the landownersto the Trust to cover its costsin securing the easement, and acontribution to the land trust’smonitoring endowment tosustain its perpetual stewardship

burden. For all of the above, theTrust is truly grateful for the

partnership with the Smith andWalker families, and with thoseof other easement donors whosacri ce so much to conserve our community’s legacy. z

TVCT Protects Two Oxford TownshipStream-side Farms

Three of ve generations whohave lived on the family farm: l-r,Carolyn Walker, son Wayne Walker,

granddaughter Lauren AshleyWalker, and brother Jack Smith.



10 www.3vct.org Valley Trust NewS

Submitted by Margarette Beckwith

Your garden encounter with the pesky weed invaders is perhaps not the best time to ponder the fascinating historyand nutritional bene t of such rogue plants, but then againit could add an interesting dimension to the mundaneactivity of weeding! Purslane ( Portulaca oleracea ) is, bysome accounts, one of the world’s top pervasive weeds.You certainly have come across this low growing succulentthat looks somewhat like a miniature Jade Plant. The thick round branches are slightly pink with smooth, fat, green

leaves.This humble plant that you have yanked numerous timesfrom your garden is considered by many to be a superfood!Purslane contains more Omega-3 fatty acids than anyother leafy vegetable. This bene cial ingredient is foundmostly in sh and ax seed. Wikipedia states further thatPurslane contains an array of other vitamins and dietaryminerals that make common lettuce or any other green

pale by comparison! The ancient Greeks called it a ‘bloodcleansing’ herb, also using the seeds for our and Pliny(Joe Roman) advised, wear it as an amulet against evil.

You can nd the plant in some farm markets in Europe,and in Mexico it is considered good for diabetics.

Purslane is a delicious, mild, crunchy green for salads,that can be eaten raw or cooked. Here is a recipe from‘Gourmet Foods’ that is perfect for summer fare.

Potato Salad with Purslane& Fresh Herbs

5 small cooked new potatoes in thick slices or chunks

1/3 c. low fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt

2-3 scallions, thinly sliced or ¼ red onion nely diced

2 tsp. chopped parsley

2 tsp. chopped chervil

1 Tbsp. pickle relish or chopped cornichonsSalt & fresh ground pepper

1 tsp lemon juice.

1-2 c. washed & dried purslane

Combine mayonnaise,onions, herbs, pickles,S&P, and lemon juice.Add potatoes and adjustseasoning to taste.

Gently toss with the purslane, serve and enjoythis humble yet stunning

plant!! z

Purslane: The Cinderella of Superfoods

NRCS Conservation Program cost-share programs. Thesevery limited but available matching grant and tax programs

provide funding options for farmers and other landowners

looking to permanently protect their lands. If you or othersyou know are interested in protecting land to remain as afarm or open space, and are looking for tools to help youdo so, then you may wish to contact these of ces as wellas TVCT.

“For these grants, only the highest scoring properties aresuccessful, and the competition is erce,” commentedLarry Frimerman, TVCT’s Executive Director. Thesespecial farmers demonstrate a kinship with the land everyday of their lives and have made a gift to Ohioans inaddition to their families.

The Clean Ohio Program has provided dollar for dollar direct pass-through funding for more than twentyMontgomery Co. farms through the Trust, Montgomery

Co., Five Rivers Metroparks, townships and other conservation agencies over the past six years, of whichnearly half were through the Ohio AEPP. TVCT itself iscurrently protecting 8,000 acres of farmland and habitatlands in Preble and Montgomery Counties alone, and hasnow protected some 92 p roperties covering over 11,000acres of prime farmland and wildlife habitat.

For more information about tools to protect your farmor for how to become a member and/or volunteer, callthe Trust of ce at 513/524-2150, or visit the website atwww.3vct.org. z

Twin Creek Working Farms (continued from page 4)



NAME ___________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ________________________________________________________

CITY _________________________________ ST _________ ZIP ___________

PHONE(S) ________________________________________________________

EMAIL ___________________________________________________________

Conserve paper & postage. Send “News” hotlink via email.

I give permission to list my name as a member/partner.

MEMBER/PARTNER SUGGESTED LEVELSAll receive the Valley Trust News (via mail or email)

Describe any non-cash contribution or volunteerservice that you would like to offer TVCT:

___________________________________________________

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CHECK MC VISA Exp. Date ____ /_____

CC# __________________________________ _____________

___________________________________________________ PRINT NAME AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR CARD

___________________________________________________ BILLING ADDRESS

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___________________________________________________ SIGNATURE

Total Amount Enclosed $_____________

Mail and make payable to: Three Valley Conservation TrustTVCT, PO Box 234, Oxford, Ohio 45056.

three valley conservation trust

Conserving the naturalenvironment and cultural

heritage of Southwest Ohio

$10,000+$2,500+$1,000 +

$750 +$500 +$250+

$100 +$50 +$_________

My employer has a matching gift program, I will send thenecessary form.

Consider a gift annuity. We just did a quoteon a male age 85 and the payment was at8.1% of the deposit FOR LIFE! Anything leftover goes to TVCT.

How does it work? You give cash or appreciated stock to purchase the annuity.Payments can start immediately or bedeferred as you wish. Much of the incomeis not taxable and there will probably be

probate, estate, and income tax savings over the life of the contract, and at death. Theincome can be based on one or two lives so that a couplecould have an income for the life of both persons.

The steps to accomplish a gift annuity:

1. You enter into a written agreement and transfer theassets. (We have this handled by the HamiltonCommunity Foundation and the First Financial Bank.)

2. Payments are made to you in installments on thefrequency you elect and there will be tax deductions.

Consider Helping Yourself and TVCT at the Same Time3. Whatever remains goes to TVCT.

If you wish ,we will be pleased to have a formal proposal prepared. Help yourself and help us!z

If you have a life insurance policy with amutual life insurance company and your needfor protection has diminished, you can drawout dividends up to the total of premiums paidwithout creating a taxable event. In turn you

could donate that amount to TVCT and take an income taxdeduction for the amount you donated, or you could createa gift annuity using that money. z

Should you have highly appreciated stock that pays verylittle in dividend income to you, it could be donated to

TVCT and you could realize a tax deduction for the presentvalue of the stock. z



Non-Pro t Org.U.S. Postage

P A I DPermit No. 171

Oxford, OH45056

www.3vct.org

Larry FrimermanExecutive Director

Mary GlasmeierOf ce Manager

MEMBER OF

h l d l d d l l bl d l f l f

5920 Morning Sun Road, PO Box 234Oxford, Ohio 45056513-524-2150 • 513-524-0162 fax

R e d u c e W a s t e :

R E C E I V E, R e - r e a d

& R e c y c l e !

We’d like your feedback!

of [email protected]/524-2150TVCT, PO Box 234, Oxford, OH 45056

Calendar August4 Board Meeting, TVCT

September1 Board Meeting, TVCT12 TVCT's 16th Anniversary

October TBA Heron Hullabaloo6 Board Meeting, TVCT6-10 LTA Conference, Hartford, CT

Frank HouseBenjamin JonesAmy LeedyRoger Millar Graham Mitchell

Founded in 1994, the Three Valley Conservation Trust works with people and communities to conserve the natural environment and cultural heritage in Southwest Ohio. The Trust protects open spaceand farmland by acquiring, through gift or purchase, conservationand agricultural easements, and works to protect and improvewater quality in the western tributaries of the Great Miami River.

Calvin ConradSamuel FittonStephen GordonAdolph GreenbergMarlene Hoffman

“Valley Trust News,” the newsletter for members of the Three ValleyConservation Trust, is published four times per year.

Editors: Mary Glasmeier, Stephen Gordon

Board of TrusteesPeggy Schear J. Ronald StewartDonald Streit

If so, you can make contributions to TVCT via payrolldeduction. Contact your Human Resources or Payroll Depts.

www.cintishares.org http://earthshareohio.org

Does Your Employer partner with

or

Summer 2010 Valley Trust Newsletter, Three Valley Conservation Trust

Documents

Transcript of Summer 2010 Valley Trust Newsletter, Three Valley Conservation Trust