For immediate release: January 28, 2012

Conservation of 486-acre property is Vermont Land Trust’s first project in Waterford

Waterford -- Cynthia Rankin and Geoffrey O’Brien donated a conservation easement on 486 acres of woodland located across from their home in Waterford, the Vermont Land Trust announced.

The couple bought the property 10 years ago because they were drawn to the land’s natural features, which they wanted to ensure were protected for generations to come.

Since then, Cynthia and Geoffrey have developed a forest stewardship plan, converted old logging roads to pedestrian trails, mapped ecologically sensitive areas, allowed the woods to regenerate, and now permanently protected the property with the Vermont land trust.

27 people bought land at auction to conserve and sell to local farmer

Ferrisburgh -- In an amazing community effort, 91 acres of farmland were purchased at auction by a group of neighbors so that the land could be conserved and sold at an affordable price to a neighboring farmer, the Vermont Land Trust announced today.

Dairy farmer Wayne Stearns had been trying to get more land to keep his farming operation viable. Growing up on his father's farm, Wayne started buying calves when he was 17. Twenty years later, he has 350 head and is in need of more land.

When acreage across the road came up for sale, Wayne was very interested but couldn't compete with the high price tag. For generations, the land had been owned by the Barrows family, and more recently, Wayne had been leasing it for cropland.

Rupert -- For more than 40 years, the Ceglowski family has been caring for farm animals and pets from their veterinarian office in Rupert. But it is not just breached calves, lame horses and injured dogs that the Gene and Jean Ceglowski have cared for; they also have been caregivers for the land. This week they conserved 92 acres of farmland with the Vermont Land Trust.

The newly conserved property is adjacent to their home farm, which they conserved in 2004. The couple has been a central part of the Rupert agricultural community for years, looking after many farmers' animals.

For immediate release: December 23, 2011

Whitingham -- Neighbors and friends who purchase their Christmas trees at Don and Betsy McKinley's will find a present under the tree: the gift of conserved land. The Vermont Land Trust announced that the McKinleys donated a conservation easement on 105 acres of forest and open land.

In 1981, Don and Betsy purchased their land, located near Jacksonville Pond, with the intention of starting a Christmas tree farm. They moved permanently to the area a few years later.

The couple now grows Christmas trees that are sold wholesale and retail, with some customers purchasing directly on the farm. They also tap about 250 maple trees and raise a small number of sheep for meat, which they sell to local customers.

80 Acres Protected in Weybridge

Weybridge -- The Gibb family's deep commitment to conservation has spanned several generations. With the conservation of 80 acres of land alongside Snake Mountain this November, the family completed the final step in a conservation effort that began nearly 25 years ago, the Vermont Land Trust announced today.

The family, now working through a Trust, has conserved the majority of the original Weybridge farm and forestland owned by Arthur and Barbara Gibb. The Gibbs purchased the farm in 1951, when Art left New York City and a banking career behind.

Art Gibb, known as the father of Act 250, was devoted to the protection of Vermont's environment as well as the wellbeing of all Vermonters. He entered politics in 1962 with his election to the statehouse and then as a senator in 1971, where he served until 1987.

For immediate release: December 8, 2011

Working to Build Cheese, Meat and Milk Operation

Wolcott -- Gwyneth Harris and Neal McNaughten conserved 93 acres of farmland on Allen Road in Wolcott by selling a conservation easement to the Vermont Land Trust. Conservation of the farm protects it from subdivision and development and ensures the land will always be available for farming. Selling a conservation easement is also helping the couple invest in their new business.

Gwyneth and Neal are experienced, determined farmers who moved their farm from Maine to Wolcott in 2010 so that they could be a part of Vermont's vibrant local food economy. The couple had moved to Maine in 2007 after searching unsuccessfully for a farm to purchase in Vermont. After several more years of looking, they finally found the Wolcott land.

"We knew immediately that this piece of land would work," said Gwyneth. "It was the right size, had nice soils, and it was in a great community. We purchased the land in December of 2009, and arrived on Fourth of July weekend with a 33-foot camper, the kids, the dogs, and soon followed by all the livestock."