By Elisabeth Moore, Executive Director
Thanks to your support of CFT, I devote my time to helping farmowners think through how to protect their farmland in perpetuity. Your support means more farmland protected, and more new farmers connected.
I want to know, what is the story that motivates you to protect farmland through your gift to CFT? It is a deeply personal question, so I want to share with you my own answer.
My passion comes directly from my childhood.
I grew up in a small town in Northwest Ohio surrounded by thousands of acres of rich, fertile fields of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. My bus to school passed mile-square blocks of this flat, immensely productive – and developable — land and I watched it converted to housing subdivisions, then shopping plazas, and then “big box” stores. While I didn’t grow up in a farming family, I knew as a kid that the loss of this land – with some of the best, most productive soils in the country — was significant.
My love of land is also influenced by where my mother grew up — I have many fond memories of spending time there with my grandparents. My mother’s family has lived on and loved that land for more than 120 years and that love was instilled in me at an early age.
The property is now three acres, a fraction of its original size because significant acreage unfortunately was sold to settle a family dispute many years ago. I feared the remainder of the property would likely be sold for development because my brothers, cousins, and I didn’t agree on what we should do with the land when my mother died. I made a commitment to her that I would make sure that didn’t happen.
Thirteen years ago, I worked with her to permanently protect the property with a conservation easement. When the final documents were signed, I felt tremendous relief that I no longer had to worry about the property’s future. I had to overcome challenging family dynamics and other hurdles, but I would definitely do it again. Definitely. There is truly no greater feeling than knowing that my family’s land will forever be as wild as it is now. Many landowners have said something similar to me when they’ve protected their farms.
The experience – with its ups and downs – of protecting my family’s land helps me better support farm owners who are considering a similar decision. It’s a weighty decision! When I share my personal story, families are comforted – and relieved – to know that it’s possible to resolve the issues and obstacles they’re facing, to know they too can make that decision.
Some families, like mine, don’t agree on what should be done with their land. Others need to figure out a way to divide the land between family members but keep it in agriculture. Some farm owners don’t have heirs and want the land to be their legacy.
Thanks to you, I’m able to devote the time needed to work with farm owners to tailor a conservation scenario that meets their individual, family, and financial needs. It is the most challenging and fulfilling work! It is hands down the best part of my job.
You likely made a first-time gift to CFT sometime recently. Consider inspiring me again with your story of why you became involved. Thank you again for supporting CFT’s work. I look forward to staying in touch.
