The ConservatorVolume XI No. 1 The NewsleTTer of The BedmINsTer laNd CoNserVaNCy wINTer / sPrING 2009

. . . A regional land trust serving the upper Bucks County area since 1997

Welcome to the winter / spring issue of The Conservator. We are sending this issue to a broader audience than just our members, as a complimentary copy. Educating the public about issues of land conservation and open space protection is an important part of the conservancy’s mission. The efforts of many groups, programs, and individuals are needed to build a successful land conservation program! You can help preserve the natural beauty, heritage and character of our communities by becoming a member. Membership information is listed on the last inside page of this issue.

Table of ConTenTsIn this issue, please find these featured articles and others:

Accomplishments for 2008 Summary ...................... page 1

Land Preservation News from the region:

Updates from Bedminster, Plumstead and Solebury Townships ....................................... page 3, 5

Barns & Farms Tour: Recap of 08 ..................... page 11,14

Preview:11th Annual Garden Tour – Save the date: June 7, 09 ............................... page 9

Land Stewardship:

Vernal Pool Registry ......................................... page 9

Members & Sponsors for 2009 ................. page 16, 17

Nuts & Bolts of an Easement .................................... page 6

Preservation Perspectives .......................................... page 7

Tribute to Peggy Adams ............................................ page 3

12th annual Meeting & buffet Dinner

Thursday, april 23rd, 6:30 p.m.Presbyterian Church of Deep Run

16 Irish Meetinghouse Road (at Rte 113)6:30 p.m. Buffet Dinner – complimentary7:30 p.m. Annual Meeting & Guest Speaker “Backyard Wildlife Habitats” Kelly Germann

To help us ensure adequate seating and food,RsVP by april 19th,

by calling the BLC voice mail at 215-795-2352: Leave your phone number, name & number of people attending.

Why join the bedminster land Conservancy

Organized as a nonprofit charitable organization, the Bedminster Land Conservancy (BLC) is your regional, community-based land conservancy working to preserve farmland and our agricultural heritage, as well as natural areas and resources, wildlife habitats, and scenic features in upper Bucks County. The BLC is entrusted with conservation easements granted by landowners in perpetuity. The BLC recently received accreditation certifying that the BLC meets national standards for excellence, upholds the public trust and ensures that conservation efforts are permanent.

Do you love driving through rural, scenic landscapes? Bucks County is nationally recognized for its scenic beauty, art, and history, with some of the most beautiful drives and vistas in the country. The BLC is working to protect that character and beauty.

Do you like having fresh produce from local farms? Bucks County is an area with both high quality farmland and high pressure for development, placing it with some of the most threatened areas in the United States.

Is the beauty of wild, open land or farmland important to you? How can you help to protect our future? By joining the

BLC - your regional land trust working to save the character and community we all value and depend on.

How can I learn more about keeping my property healthy for wildlife and my children? Your membership helps us continue to protect those valuable resources and vistas through our educational programs, community outreach, and the work we do to encourage and support land conservation efforts in the upper Bucks County region. We provide land stewardship information to our members and easement landowners.

How can I help to ensure that the ecological beauty of my community stays protected and healthy? When you join the BLC, you are also a part of a vast network of land trust across the country and the more than 1 million people who belong to nonprofit land trusts and support land conservation. Your membership and investment in the BLC allows you to play an active and direct role in the protection of our area’s most important land resources.

Special

Quilt Raffle

see pg. 7

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A regional land conservancy, conserving the land and resources throughout upper Bucks County.

Overview: This was an exciting year as we demonstrated the quality of our practices and standards at a national level and received accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance.

Highlights of this year’s many accomplishments include:

land in Preservation:• Accepted 8 new easements in Bedminster and Solebury

townships, totaling over 330 acres (10% increase in acreage preserved from 2007).

• Conducted annual monitoring on all easements, currently 86 easements on nearly 3700 acres of land, including:

❍ 12 donated easements on 378 acres in Bedminster and East Rockhill Townships, held by BLC only;

❍ 16 easements on 898 acres in Bedminster Township, coheld with Bedminster Township or the Township and Bucks County Agricultural Preservation Program;

❍ 56 easements on 2376 acres in Solebury Township, coheld with Solebury Township or the Township and Bucks County Agricultural Preservation Program;

❍ 1 donated easement on 18 acres in Plumstead Township, coheld with Plumstead Township;

❍ 1 donated easement on 24 acres in Springfield Township, coheld with Springfield Township.

easements and easement service:• Continued to provide easement-monitoring services in 5

area townships to help protect their investments in land preservation, and continue to work to expand our service area.

bedminster land Conservancy 2008 accomplishmentseducation:• Continued to serve as a resource network for area residents,

public agencies, and other groups.• Correspondedwith our legislators on important issues, and

helped to support national organizations on issues that impact our region.

• Developedanddistributed3issuesofThe Conservator.

fund-raising:• Hosted3successfulfund-raisingactivities,theproceedsofwhich

benefitted our “Landowner Assistance Fund” (used to assist landowners with easement costs) and expand our community network and outreach:Garden Tour (June) – our 10• th;Barns and Farms Tour (Oct) – our 4th; and•Traditional Artisans’ sale (Sept.) – our 3rd•

Membership:• Increasedmembership10%

organization:• ReceivedaccreditationfromtheLandTrustAlliance(oneofthe

first land trusts to achieve this status in the nation). • Received$5500 in grant awards from2 large companies on

behalf of their employees’ volunteer efforts with the BLC. • AttendedLandTrustAllianceannualmeetingandtraining• Recognizedvolunteer assistance ofAnnMcAuliffe,Mailing

Committee and David Stone, Webmaster. • Recognized SueDelin for 11 yrs of service asTreasurer

and transitioned Assistant Treasurer to Treasurer

• WelcomedEve Marschark to our Board of Directors.

• Welcomedandtrained3newmonitorstoour easement monitoring program.

bedminster Township land Preservation 2008 Report

Land preservation remains a #1 priority in Bedminster Township. During 2008, the Township continued to make steady progress with the acquisition of easements on key parcels. The Township’s successful Land Preservation program is coordinated by the Bedminster Township Land Preservation Advisory Committee, chaired by Don Moss. Other members include: Barbara Thomas, Jesse Berdinka, Ken Bupp, Chris Clarke and Wayne Whitney.

The Land Preservation Committee meets monthly to review the status of land preservation applications received in the past as well as new applications. Currently, the Committee is actively working with 9 property owners who own approximately 560 acres and are interested in preserving their properties.

One important activity of the Committee in 2008 was to rerate each property expressing interest in preservation utilizing a new numeric scoring system. The revised format resulted in an updated priority list of properties being considered for preservation to better focus the work and resources of the Committee and Board of Supervisors.

The Board of Supervisors and the Land Preservation Advisory Committee continued their efforts to preserve high priority parcels in 2008. During the year, purchases were completed or agreements were signed to preserve 3 properties, (Brubaker, Buckman and Clark) totaling 175 acres. Formal agreements for two other properties to preserve an additional 87 acres are currently in hand.

With the easements acquired in 2008 and those already under contract for 2009, it is estimated that 5,352 acres or approximately 28% of the Township will be preserved through formal conservation easements or protected as park land owned by either the Township, the County or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

A team of officials and staff under the leadership of former Township Manager, Peter Braun, is completing a comprehensive inventory of all preserved property in the Township. This report, which has been in the works for over a year, will be a valuable resource in focusing future conservation activities. The Township appreciates the hard work of Barbara Drew, Director of the Bedminster Land Conservancy, who serves as a key member of this important effort.

open space financing The Township’s Land preservation program was initially

fundedby$7,500,000 in voter approved referendadatingbackto1999.Todate,theTownshiphasissued$5,000,000ingeneral obligation notes to fund acquisition of conservation easements.Theremaining$2,500,000isavailableforuseinthefuture.Inadditiontorevenuesprovidedbyvoter-approvedreal estate taxes, Bedminster voters approved a 0.25% earned income tax dedicated for open space and land preservation. These strong funding sources have allowed the Township to pursue its preservation objectives. Additionally, the Township works closely with the Bucks County Agricultural Land Preservation Program and the Bucks County Open Space Program to coordinate expenses and utilize County funding where practical and appropriate.

John Terry, Bedminster Township Manager

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Lush gardens, scenic vistas, and plants

to purchase are all part of the BLC 11th Annual Garden Tour on June 7th, 2009.

See page 9.

In Memory OfPeggy Hoffman Adams

With the passing of Peggy Hoffman Adams on November 18, 2008, we have all lost a dear friend and a pillar of our community. She was a passionate volunteer for the Bedminster Land Conservancy and an active supporter of a long list of community groups. For the Conservancy, she worked tirelessly on the publication of The Conservator and as a dedicated member of the Fund-Raising Committee. In thecommunityshewas, foremost,aRepublicancommittee-woman, President of the Bedminster Historical Society and an avid benefactor for the arts, particularly opera.

To the many demands on her time, Peggy never said“Ican’t”butrather“WhatcanIdotohelp?”She gave real meaning to the saying ... “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” We extend our sincerest sympathy to her husband Joe Flynn. We can only imagine his loss.

Dick Foggio, Fund-Raising Committee

Peggy Adams was the publisher of The Conservator for nine years, from its inception in 1999, through 2007, working with us during this time as we established its format and direction. She also was instrumental in coordinating our popular garden and barn tours, procuring the financial support of many businesses to help sponsor these events. Her enthusiasm and dedication to protecting the rural character of our community and area in upper Bucks County is remarkable and irreplaceable. The BLC will recognize her many contributions to our organization at our Annual Meeting. We extend both our appreciation for her many contributions and our condolences to her family.

Wendy P. Battisti, President

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EAST ROCKHILL TOWNSHIP215-257-5167 215-257-9156

Fax 215-257-1299

1622 Ridge Road, Perkasie, PA 18944staff@eastrockhilltownship.org

Carter Van Dyke, ASLA, ACIP (215) 345-3053 Fax (215) 345-4324

CARTER VAN DYKEASSOCIATES

Planners/Landscape Architects

40 Garden Alley, Doylestown, PA 18901

Everything you need to make your house a home.

Keystone Municipal engineering, inc.123 north Main street

Dublin, pa 18917

ph: 267-867-1021 Fax: 267-867-1022

thomas J. Fountain, p.e.president

Municipal consulting

excellent engineering results. expect nothing less.

Plumstead Township land Preservation 2008

Plumstead Township purchased three conservation easements totaling 75 acres during 2008. The largest of these was the 65-acre Reedman Farm, located on Silo Hill Road. Inadditiontoapproximately50acresofagriculturalland,the property includes approximately 15 acres of woodland bordering the North Branch of Neshaminy Creek. The 10-acre Lapsley horse farm on Haring Road was also preserved in 2008, as was the one-acre Althouse property in the historic district of Dyerstown. The latter is the first property located in an historic village that has been preserved by the Township.

Plumstead Township also signed agreements of sale in 2008 for conservation easements on two additional properties totaling 155 acres, with finalization expected to occur early in 2009. The larger of the two, Hearthstone Farms, consists of approximately 105 acres extending from the eastern portion of Stump Road to the Cabin Run with frontage also on Wismer Road. The property contains 70 acres of agricultural land and meadows as well as 25 acres of woodland bordering the Cabin Run, a major tributary to Tohickon Creek. An agreement was also signed for the purchase of a 50-acre conservation easement on the Harrar horse farm on Groveland Road. This property borders another 90 acres of preserved land, ensuring that the beautiful views along Groveland Road will be maintained in perpetuity.

The Township is currently discussing preservation with several other property owners and we hope that 2009 will be another great year for preservation in Plumstead.

Louis Fineberg, Director of Land Use

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11th Annual Garden TourSunday, June 7, 2009

10am to 4 pm

BEDMINSTER

5th Annual Barn TourSunday, Oct. 18, 2009

11am to 4 pm

solebury Township land Preservation 2008

The success of the Solebury Township Land Preservation Program continues to be based on the relationship forged by the Land Preservation Committee Members with landowners dedicated to their land. This year, four easements were assigned to be coheld with Bedminster Land Conservancy (three new and one prior easement) with a total of 154 acres.

The Land Preservation Committee Members are very actively involved in the various program components, setting policy and taking leading roles in the projects while serving as liaisons between the landowner and township officials. The Committee continues to tackle challenging aspects and “persevere for preservation,” knowing it pays off!

To date, the township has completed 62 conservation easements permanently preserving land. A total of 6483 acres of land has been preserved by the Township, County, State and private land trusts.

Malcolm Crooks served as Chair, Ralph O’Banion as Vice-Chair, and Jan Ubel, Christine Hafner, Jay Markwalder, John Wilkinson and Karl Pettit continued as members. New Member Stanley Marcus was welcomed. Dominic Marano served as Board of Supervisor liaison, providing an effective means for communication and coordination of the preservationprogrambythetwoagencies.Inaddition,theLand Preservation Committee appreciates the support of the Solebury Township Board of Supervisors, township residents and Bedminster Land Conservancy in our mission to protect the community’s character through land preservation.

Jean Weiss, Land Preservation Administrator

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nuts & bolts of a Conservation easement Preserving land benefits our community and individuals

directly with both economic and environmental benefits. Economic benefits are realized in many ways: developing land results in higher tax consequences for the community because of the associated increased demand for services, infrastructure, and schools. Environmental benefits relate to the quality and character of our land and our water. Maintaining a quality environment with open natural spaces has broad-reaching benefits, and ultimately lessens the contributors to, and impacts of, global warming.

A conservation “easement” is the primary tool used by land trusts (also called land conservancies) and governmental programs to protect and conserve land. A conservation easement is a legal agreement, placed by the landowner, used to protect the natural resources of a property and ensure availability for agricultural or perpetuation of natural scenery. Itisrecordedwiththepropertydeed.

The landowners also give the right to enforce those restrictions to a qualified, tax-exempt, charitable organization. This is usually a qualified land trust or a government agency. Both types of organizations may also work together. Government programs can often more quickly generate the funds needed to preserve land; land trusts have missions focused on conservation and are knowledgeable in procedures, process, and the standards and practices of properly protecting these lands forever.

Typically, a conservation easement protects the land against future real estate development and similar commercial uses, while also protecting the conservation values, such as water resources, open space, scenic views, and habitat. The landowner continues to own and use the land and is typically allowed to continue current uses, including agriculture, forestry, residential, and recreational. The terms of the easement are based on a model and then tailored to meet the needs of the landowner and the land uses of a specific property.

Conservation easements also permit continued residential use, and a “building envelope” the area, surrounding the existing house, major buildings and future accessory structures, is excluded from the easement. Locating major buildings in a building envelope better protects the conservation values of the easement area and makes it less likely that future landowners would infringe on the conservation easement area. Usually small accessory agricultural structures (small sheds, etc.), or fencing for livestock, are permitted outside the building envelope.

By placing an easement, a landowner is giving up some of their rights to their property (the right to develop it, mine it, or deforest it, for instance), and is providing benefits to the public by protecting water resources, sensitive features, and agricultural viability.Inthecaseofalandownerdonatingtheappraisedvalueof the easement, federal tax deductions may be possible. Ifyouwouldlikeadditionalinformationabouteasements

and tax-deduction eligibility for charitable donations for conservation, for please contact us. You can also visit our website www.bedminsterlandconservancy.org or the Frequently Asked Question page of our national organization: Land Trust Alliance: www.lta.org/faq/

Wendy P. Battisti, President

DUblIn aGWaYfarm * Pet * lawn & Garden

10 n. Rt. 313, box 350, Dublin, Pa 18917

215-249-3117 David Wurster, owner

LLC

5660 WISMER ROADPIPERSVILLE, PA 18947

215•766•7776FAX 215•766•2239

CELL: 267•446•0811

KEN CHWAL

TURF ESTABLISHMENTEROSION CONTROLSTRAW MULCHING

FINE GRADING

Jerry FritzGarden desiGn, inc.

P.O. BOx 10 L rOute 611

Ottsville, Pa 18942

tel: 610-874-1300

Fax: 610-847-1324www.JerryFritzGardendesiGn.cOm

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faRM ✧ GaRDen ✧ HabITaT

Preservation Perspective expanded Corridor of Protected farms

Just below Ridge Road near Elephant Road, two large farms have recently been preserved creating a corridor of 350 acres of contiguous land under easements that protect theagriculturalsoilsandtheviabilityoffarming.Incloseproximity to 4 other large protected farm properties, these two additions help create an area of 650 preserved acres in the upper west corner of Bedminster Township!

On Elephant Road at the Sweetbriar corner, just opposite the Kautsch farm, which was preserved 7 years ago, AGA Farms is now protected with an Agricultural Conservation Easement held by the State and County. Just over 100 acres, AGA Farms is a popular site for families in the fall: a corn maize, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, and hay-rides are available for autumn enjoyment. Another section of the farm is operated as a Christmas tree farm, also a pick-your-own activity. Crops are grown on the remainder of the property. Providing some background on the process of preserving the family’s farm, Dan Devery stated that:

“A couple of years ago, I approached my parents about the possibility of preserving their farm that they purchased in 1980. I sat down with them and told them the importance of keeping the farm open and free from development. They told me about their wishes of passing the property down to all their children. This reinforced the necessity of preserving the farm. With six children (and spouses), there would twelve ideas on what to do with the farm.

We filled out the land preservation application forms, and then met with the county and with the township to convey our wishes. Last year Rich Harvey, Coordinator of the Bucks County Agricultural Land Preservation Program, informed us our farm would be considered in 2008. The process went smoothly. In July of 2008, Rich Harvey came in on his vacation time to sign the papers that finalized the easement protecting AGA Farms.

I have lived on the 100-acre family farm since 1985, where my wife and I have raised two daughters and where we continue to run a retail pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm. I can’t stress enough the importance of talking with your parents if they have a parcel of land that they, and you, feel should be preserved.”

Dan Devery Directly abutting AGA Farms is the 105-acre Brubaker farm,

with two separate parcels with scenic road frontage on Sylvan and Slotter Roads. This year the farm was lush with a crop of soybeans on the majority of the land. The property includes headwaters for a branch of the E. Perkiomen Creek in a forested riparian corridor, a beautiful meadow on Slotter Road and the Excel Dressage facility also located on Slotter Road.

The State, County and Township purchased the easement, which is coheld by the Bedminster Land Conservancy. The landowner provided the following remarks regarding the preservation effort:

“I want to thank the Township, the County and the State for making it possible for me to keep my promise to the Smakula Family. I purchased the farm from them in 1996 and promised that I would not subdivide the property. Carol and I plan on keeping our home in Bedminster for the rest of our lives and,since that is the case, why not preserve the property? We wanted to be a part of the effort not only to preserve our land but help preserve Bedminster Township as well.”

Tom Brubaker

BLC Annual Meeting

Quilt Raffle Hand-quilted throw or wall-art

59˝ x 49˝Wine colors • $5/chance, 3 for $10

benefitting the BLCDrawing at Annual Meeting

April 23rd.

farmland statistics: American Farmland Trust recently provided info from the US Dept. of Agriculture for Bucks County, on the status of farmland in 2002, compared with 1997. The number of farms was down by 14% to 917 farms, with 76,831 acres remaining in farming, down by 17%. The average size of farms was also down from 86 acres to 84 acres. Statewide, the average rate for loss of agricultural land converted to development uses is 48,900 acres per year.

Brubaker Farm

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LLCCONSERVATION RESOURCESA D I V I S I O N O F K E N C H W A L H Y D R O S E E D I N G

TURF & EROSION CONTROLPRODUCTS

Phone: 215-766-7000 5990 Potter’s LaneFax: 215-766-8777 Pipersville, PA 18947

Heide ChwalPresident

PaTRICIa H. sIWeRT

TaX ColleCTor3505 freTz Valley road

oTTsVIlle, Pa 18942

(215) 795-0287(215) 795-2296 faX (215) 795-2675

USEF JUDGE & RIDING INSTRUCTORPOINT OF VIEW FARM

look What We Have for sale! T-sHIRTs Adult sizes: M, L, & XL ...............................$12.00 T -shirts are 100% cotton Hanes Beefy T’s. The shirts are

beige with the BLC logo printed in green on the upper left front corner. Very attractive! Limited supply - please call first 215-795-2352.

sWeaT sHIRTs (all sizes ) ........................................ $25.00 Sweat shirts are beige with BLC green logo. Excellent quality!

HaTs (one size fits all) .................................................. $20.00 Hats are forest green, embroidered with the BLC logo in

beige, with an adjustable leather band in the back.

oRnaMenTs ............................................................... $8.00 Ornament is made of gold flashed brass with BLC logo and

byline.

noTeCaRDs ..............................................................$10.00 Boxed set of 10 photo cards & envelopes, 2 each of 5 scenes

of preserved land, Photos by Robert Cherry, Dan Devery, Barbara Drew, and Joan Weber.

To order, send a check made out to the Bedminster Land Conser-vancy and a list of items (and sizes). Please include your telephone number in case we have a question. Mail to: BLC - P.O. Box 208, Bedminster, PA 18910. We personally deliver within Bedminster Township.

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seasonal Vernal Pools ProjectDo you have a seasonal pool (also called vernal or

ephemeral pool) on your property? These are pools of water, or small ponds, that only contain water certain times of year and are usually located in wetland areas. Seasonal pools provide a unique habitat that is critical to the support of numerous species of amphibians, including wood frogs and certain types of salamanders.

The Western PA Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy have initiated a seasonal pools registry project to help gather more information about this important type of habitat. The goal is to register seasonal pools located on private and public lands throughout the state of PA.

Anyone who is interested may join this project: professionals as well as enthusiastic citizens. A database of these pools will help support future research and planning for conservation purposes. More information about seasonal pools and how to participate in the program is located at:

www.paconserve.org/rc/sp

Mark your Calendars for June 7th Garden Tour

Each year the Garden Tour includes spectacular properties in our area of upper Bucks County. This year, our 11th annual tour will be held on Sunday, June 7th, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will several gardens on the tour including Linden Hill Nursery, which offers tours of their grounds with unique plants for viewing and purchase. Each garden will have a Penn State Master Gardener available for consultation. Watch for further details in local papers and magazines.

Advance tickets will be available at the discount price of$15attheconservancy’sAnnualMeeting.Regulartickets will go on sale on May 1stfor$18atthefollowinglocations: Rogers Road Stand on Rte 313, Dublin Agway (Wurster’s Farm & Garden) in Dublin; Linden Hill Nursery in Ottsville; Doylestown Book Store, Spring Valley Nursery, and Bucks Country Gardens, all inDoylestown,Chubby’sIceCreaminPlumstead.Day of the tour ticket price is $20. Snacks and

refreshments will be sold with picnic facilities available.Inaddition,beautifulplantswillbeforsaleand wonderful raffles items donated by local shops and artists will be available for lucky winners!

2009 Traditional artisan’s Preview showBe sure to mark your calendars for September 12th and 13th

and plan on attending the Bedminster Land Conservancy’s 4th Traditional Artisan’s Preview Show!

Museum-quality artistry from some of the country’s most respected artists will be at this showcase and sale. You are invited to see and meet more than 35 artisans and their incredible hand-crafted treasures, gathered together here in Bucks County for this exclusive show – a preview of their new designs and crafts. The majority of artisans who participated last year are returning, along with several new nationally-recognized artisans. If you are interested in hosting an artisan overnight in your home, please contact the blC through our voicemail.

The 2009 show will once again be held at the Upper Bucks County Vo-Tech School where faculty and students can display their craftwork as well. This community resource provided a great setting with mutual benefits to the students andartisans!Theadmissionpriceis$8perperson,whichbenefits the Bedminster Land Conservancy.

BLC members will receive more info closer to the event - join now to be on our list, or leave your information at our voicemail box (215-795-2352) and asked to be put on our mailing list for the event. For information both on the prior show and the most up-to-date 2009 show, please visit:

www.bedminsterlandconservancy.org“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world: indeed

it’s the only thing that ever has!”

– Margaret Meade

Think Globally, act locally

– source unknown

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support Your local farmers Moyer’s Village Farm in Dublin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-249-3616183 N. Main Street, DublinHay and straw, express wagons, garden furniture.

Trauger’s Farm Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 610-847-5702Route 611 (across the canal) Kintnersville Winter - pumpkins, open for dairy produce, their own eggs, candy, jellies, fruit & gift baskets, flowers. Phone orders for freezing. Mar-ket open all year round.

Dean Overholt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-766-0534311 Irish Meetinghouse Rd., Bedminster Twp.Boards and trains horses in a state-of-the-art horse farm, hay.

Penn Vermont Fruit Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-795-2475Rolling Hills Road, Bedminster Twp.Spring - strawberries, raspberries (pick your own). • Summer -Corn,tomatoes,varietyoffreshfruitandvegetables•Fall-apples,pears, cider, pumpkins, variety of squash, honey, maple syrup.

AGA Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-795-06601333 Elephant Road, Bedminster Twp.Fall-pumpkins,cornmaze,hayrides•Winter-Christmastrees•Spring-B&Bevergreensandshadetrees.•Nowavailableforfieldrestoration - reclaiming abandoned farmland with a powerful new machine - a combination of huge brushhog and rototiller that opens the soil while grinding above ground.

James and Gail Crooke Windybush Hay Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-766-2865

215-669-8545108 Irish Meeting House Road, Bedminster Twp.Hay, straw, Easter lambs. Manure, triple-ground mulch, mushroom soil.

Babydoll Sheep Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-453-91641385 Elephant Rd. Bedminster Twp. www.babydollsheepfarm.com•Babydollsheepforsaleaspets.

Hellerick’s Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-766-83885500 Easton Rd. (Rt. 611 S. of Plumsteadville)Spring-strawberries.(Pickyourown)•Fall-PumpkinFestival.

Mark Schmidt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-795-2591Deer Run Road, Bedminster Twp.•Hayandstraw.

Glenn Wismer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-766-067587 Log Cabin Road, Bedminster Twp. • Hay and straw.

Matt Kanagy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-527-2370235 Smith School Road, Bedminster Twp.•Hay.

Myerov Family Farm Market & CSA . . . . . . . . . . . . 215-249-3145306 Elephant Rd. - 1 mile north of 313, Bedminster Twp.Tomatoes, fancy salad mix, fragrant herbs and other produce. NEW! Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Myerov Farm Members receive weekly share of produce.

************************************************Any local farmer wishing to be listed here should call

215-795-2352 and leave a message. This service is free!

faRM ✧ GaRDen ✧ HabITaT

Clip and save

2009 Traditional Artisan’s Preview Show

Upper Bucks County Vocational Technical School3115 Ridge Road, Bedminster

saturday sept. 12th: 10 am – 5 pmsunday, sept 13th : 10 am – 4 pm

www.bedminsterlandconservancy.org

Farm Fresh Recipe Cornersquash & swiss Chard soufflé

3 c butternut squash – peeled, cooked, pureed½ c milk (low fat)½ t salt1/8 t ground nutmeg1/8 t black pepper2 large eggs1 large egg white1 c fresh swiss chard (or beet green leaves),

chopped garnish: ground nutmeg (optional) Preheat oven to 325º.

Combine squash and next 6 ingredients: can mix in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add in chopped leaves of swiss chard or beet greens. Divide squash mixture evenly among 6 (6-ounce) custard cups coated with cooking spray. Place cups in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan; add hot water to pan to a depth of 1 inch. Bake at 325º for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Remove cups from water; let stand 5 minutes. Loosen edges of custards with a knife or rubber spatula. Invertcustardsontoindividualplates.Sprinklewithnutmeg if desired. Serves 6.

An example of the fine painted furniture at our Traditional Artisans’ Show.

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faRM ✧ GaRDen ✧ HabITaT

fall barns and farms Tour - autumn Hues and Views

The Bedminster Land Conservancy (BLC) 4th Annual Barns and Farms Tour held on October 12, 2008, was a celebration – of autumn colors, and architectural details, and the bucolic beauty of upper Bucks County. The tour celebrates these historic barns and cultural landscapes, and provides a unique opportunity to explore and view up close the inner workings, design features and functions of these historic barns that many of us only know and admire from a distance.

A fantastic array of barns on the tour illustrated the importance of preserving our working landscapes that define the rural character of our region. From dressage to woodcarving, chickens to miniature horses, there was a variety of living things and artistry to entertain all ages on a day with a perfectly clear blue sky!

The dressage demonstration by Laurie Joliffe of Excel Dressage was very educational while also enjoyable and awe-inspiring. The dressage facility is located on the 105-acre Brubaker Farm recently preserved by Tom and Carol Brubaker with Bucks County, Bedminster Township and Bedminster Land Conservancy. Laurie explained that the art of dressage has been recognized as a sport, but was originally a form of entertainment for kings and queens a hundred years ago. She proceeded to demonstrate the different gaits and progressive levels of difficulty of steps that reminded us of skipping and hopping as well as dancing. The coordinated steps and balance of the horse, named Charlie, got a round of applause for his ballet-like steps and at least one spectator had tears in her eyes! OntheopenfieldsatIvyroseFarm,thewell-trainedborder

collies demonstrated herding the sheep from across the large field and into a pen, guided by Eve Marschark’s amazing warble-like whistles. Eve and Len Marschark explained that one of the hardest things for the collies to accomplish is the “splitting off” of one sheep from the herd, and this was swiftly done by their young border collie, impressing the many spectators of all ages.

At Rob and Kathleen Loughery’s Crooked Creek Farm, we could see a cantilevered frame forebay (a projection extending beyond the foundation walls). The Lougherys have had restoration work done by Brian Murphy, and keep the barn in active use. Miniature horses and goats were there to greet the tour visitors. At the bank barn entrance, woodworker Martin Maier of Ottsville had a stunning display of his original “handarbeit” - carved plates, plaques and boxes, carved in the “Old World tradition”.

Tucked back from Applebutter Road, down a long lane that

crosses a brook with a 2-arched stone bridge, is Thistle Brook Farm. Owned by Matt and Ann Toll since only one year ago, the property has already been renovated and is well-maintained and used for barnyard animals including goats, chicken, and sheep – they hope to add cows next year. Visitors were provided a chance to see an unusual barn structure: the four (4)-bay forebay barn. Jeffrey Marshall, Secretary-Treasurer of the PA Historic Barn and Farm Foundation was on the site to point out these and other architectural features of the barn, which also included double doors for the bank barn entrance, and an arch

opening in the foundation in the ground level. Jeff Marshall also sold the book The Barns of Bucks County, which he co-authored, donating a portion of the proceeds to the BLC.

The barn at the Joseph Slick Farm was struck by lightning and burned in June, 2007, but you’d never know it with the restorationbyAmish farmersnearingcompletion. Itwasameeting of old and new, with the stone walls and foundations, metal roofing and wood beam interiors. There was also an informative exhibit with historical maps of the property and Bedminster Township. Brian Murphy, a barn restoration specialist of Ottsville, was on hand to describe restoration, while friendly horses from Point of View Farm were in the yard to complete the bucolic setting. Ed Worthington, blacksmith showcased his wrought iron work, including an 1873 Steeple School Bell that he is restoring for Plumstead Township.

Deer Run Farm, preserved by Emil Schmidt with Bucks County, is now operated with the help of several generations. Although the barns and silos are visible from Deer Run Road, visitors were provided with a close look at a very busy operation. Visitors were impressed to see the many bales of hay stacked high in several large storage facilities. Mark and Geri Schmidt graciously provided refreshments and explained that the hay is gathered from 1500 acres in several farms in Bucks County, delivered for horses, sheep and cows.

Crooked Creek Farm’s bank barn

cont. on p. 14

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Daisy Gait LLC

3533 Farm School RoadOttsville, PA 18942(215) 962-2104

Pasture Boarding for Retired HorsesPet & Farm Sitting

Ivy N. Garfinkel

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* leGIslaTIon & neWs of oUR ReGIon anD beYonD *The Bedminster Land Conservancy strives to keep our members aware of changing legislation as well as the availability of resources related to land preservation and conservation. It is important that our members also take time to express their thoughts to our politicians and stay aware of how they vote.

Barbara Drew

naTIonalConservation Tax Incentive: The national Land Trust

Alliance (having 1200 member organizations, including Bedminster Land Conservancy) along with other national groups continue to work towards making the federal tax incentive for charitable donations of conservation easements permanent. Congress is considering bills H.R. 1576 and S. 469 – let your legislators know that this incentive has been beneficial for land preservation in our area. Other legislative priorities of the Land Trust Alliance for 2009 include creating a greater incentive for land conservation in the context of estate-tax reform, and supporting policy responses to global climate change that recognize the important role of forests, rangelands and agricultural lands in mitigating climate change.

farmland: Every minute of every day, we lose two acres of agricultural land to development. That adds up to more than 2,500 acres a day - over one million acres a year of productive farm and ranch land that provides fresh local food, wildlife habitat, rural landscapes and helps filter impurities from our air and water.

Referenda for open space: Throughout the US, in 2008, 90 referenda out of 127 passed resulting in authorized fundstotaling:$1.1billion,witharecord$8.4billionofthatfunding allocated for conservation. InNew Jersey, seven localities approved measures to increase property taxes with matching state funds for farmland and open-space protection; and NJ voters also approved 14 of 22 county and municipal ballotmeasures(morethananyotherstate)generating$191million in conservation funding. For a complete rundown of state and local funding measures, visit The Trust for Public Land’s LandVote at www.tpl.org.

sTaTeClean Water - Pa Campaign calls for “100 feet of

green”: To keep our streams and rivers healthy, we need to keep them clean. The Clean Water Campaign calls for 100-foot swath of green, consisting of local trees and native plants, lying on either side of the stream. Nearly 15% of PA’s 83,000 miles of rivers and streams are so polluted that the Department of Environmental Protection classifies them as dirty. Keeping new development from building directly beside streams will help alleviate floods and their damage: with 100 feet of green on either side of our streams, rain and rising waters will be absorbed by the vegetation, rather than flooding basements and streets. A natural vegetated buffer also keeps oil from parked cars, storm water runoff and other pollutants from easily entering our streams. The US Dept. of Agriculture recommends that farmers and ranchers maintain trees and plants in green space beside their streams

to help naturally store water and allow replenishment of the groundwater as well as to help maintain good water quality. Six million PA residents enjoy the outdoors, and fishing alone is a billion dollar industry in the state. A green buffer zone protects fishing, by shading the streams and keeping the water temperature down, thus providing a better habitat for trout and other fish. 100 feet of green is good for the environment and the economy in many ways – let your legislators know your concerns.

Climate & energy: Pennsylvania has signed a letter of agreement with 10 Mid-Atlantic states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels and other sources by developing a comprehensive, regional low carbon fuel standard. This effort will analyze low-carbon fuel supply options and develop a framework for a regional standard to ensure sustainable use of renewable fuels. Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, NewJersey,NewYork,RhodeIslandandVermontjoinedPAin the agreement.

Historic Preservation: House Bill 42 establishes the Historic Preservation Incentive Program to provide grantsfor the renovation of historic residential properties and tax credits for the renovation of historic commercial properties.

Referenda: In2007, sixconservationmeasurespassedinPA,securingover$122millionstatewidethroughthosemeasures alone. On average, 2007 conservation referenda have passed by an overwhelming 2-1 margin. The PA Land Trust Assoc. recently reported the current breakdown of state land uses to be: 18% protected lands, 17% developed, and 65% available for development.

ReGIonal - loCalbedminster Township open space Plan Update:

Bedminster has been updating the 10-year plan that was last approved in 1999, with the assistance of the Bucks County Planning Commission staff. The updated plan will renew Bedminster’s eligibility for the Bucks County Municipal Open Space grants as well as other grant funding. Land Use Director Dawn Cook is coordinating the process for Bedminster Township. For more info: 215 249-3320;www.bedminstertownship.org

Comprehensive Plan: Bedminster Township approved the Comprehensive Plan in June, 2008. Copies are available to thepublic fromBedminsterTownshipfor$25ateitherthe township building or land use building.

Green energy building: Recently PECO unveiled what is heralded as “the largest green roof on an existing building in an urban setting in Pennsylvania” on its headquarters building in Philadelphia. PECO’s 45,000 square foot roof is now covered by four to eight inches of vegetative material

cont. on p. 14

that will absorb 60% to 70% of the 1.5 million gallons of rain that falls on it each year, cut cooling and heating costs, and absorb air pollution.

Referenda for open space: Newtown Township voters approved,by61%,anewEITof.1%,authorizingapotentialof$13.6million.UpperMakefieldauthorized,by69%,bondfunding of $15million. InMontgomeryCounty,UpperDublinTownship voters authorized bond funding for $30millionbya67%margin.InHunterdonCounty,NJ,votersapproved the largest measure and the only county measure in NJ,with76%votingtocontinuethecurrentlevyof$.03per$100ofassessedpropertyvaluetofundtheirCounty’sOpenSpace Trust Fund indefinitely rather than letting it expire nextyear,withthepotentialof$7.6million/yearforopenspace, farmland, and historic preservation efforts, as well as stewardship of county and municipal parklands.

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leGIslaTIon & neWs of oUR ReGIon anD beYonD (cont. from p. 13)

Approximately 30,000 to 40,000 bales of hay are produced and delivered per year with some hay being trucked as far away as South Carolina for the racetracks! The historic barn had many interesting details to view. The mid-nineteenth century barn, originally built as open forebay barn, was later enclosed to adapt for dairy farming.

The Bohn-Fiore property, which was preserved by the landowners with Bedminster Township and the BLC, served as the site for refreshments, raffle items and ticket sales. The artwork of Scott Taylor and Ron Day - gorgeous farm scenes with gold matting and frames - were showcased here in a quintessential bucolic setting. This barn is a fine example of adaptive reuse: the historic, closed forebay barn had one wall opened up and replaced with windows to take advantage of vast views of rolling hillsides and a stream valley on the preserved farm. For the volunteers and landowners, the end of the tour was capped off with a party at the Bohn-Fiore Farm, with a beautiful overlook of autumn color trees highlighted in the long shadows of late afternoon.

The Barns and Farms Tour is made possible by our hard-working, well organized Fund-Raising Committee Members and many volunteers the day of the event who help with posting signage, parking, running food sales, etc. We appreciate the many logistics of the Barns & Farms Tour ably coordinated by Chair Louis Dierking. (see listing on page 16).

We also extend our grateful appreciation to all the businesses and individuals who sponsored and contributed to this event, and the landowner hosts for their gracious hospitalityandliterallyopeningthedoorsoftheirbarns.Itisone of the side “benefits” of this fund-raiser – to showcase the working landscapes and functional structures that comprise the cultural features we strive to protect as a conservancy.

Barbara Drew

fall baRns anD faRMs ToUR - aUTUMn HUes anD VIeWs (cont. from p. 11)

Your opinion Is Important!Please contact your federal and state representatives to make your concerns or support for legislative issues heard. Your voice is important. Your actions can make a difference in saving our communities.

senator arlen specter, 600 Arch Street, Suite 9400 Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-597-7200.

Email: SenatorSpecter@specter.senate.gov

senator Robert Casey, 2000 Market St., Suite 1870 Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-405-9660.

Email: www.casey.sen.gov

Congressman Patrick Murphy, 60 N. Main St., Doylestown, PA 18901, 215-348-7511.Website www.patrickmurphy.house.gov

senator Charles McIlhinney, 22 So. Main Street, Suite 220 Doylestown, PA 18901, 215-489-5000.

Email: CMcIlhinney@pa.sen.gov

Rep. Marguerite Quinn, 1032 N. Easton Road Doylestown, PA 18901, 215-489-2126.

Email: MQuinn@pahousegop.gov

Double door barn entrance, Thistle Brook Farmaccording to the

United states environmental Protection agency:

Each person in the US makes four and a half pounds of garbage a day;

that is roughly three times the amount each person produced 30 years ago.

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Peggy Adams & Dr. Joseph Flynn Richard and Geneva AllenRick & Kathy AngelloKathleen Augustine Jeffrey & Noelle BarfordStanley BarkerKevin and Andrea BatemanGib & Wendy BattistiMolly Beck & Chris Golding Audrey Bostwick & Elaine Kendig *Richard & Jeanette BaumEdward BazinetBenton Family Joe BerardiDoug and Nancy BrangsLaura Bohn & Richard Fiore, Sr.Abby BrooksR. Porter BrooksDr. John & Beverly BryanElmer & Joye BryanTom & Joan BuesPhyllis BurkeSharon & Carl ButrumRudy & Nancy ClarkLake S. ClemmerMr. and Mrs. Nicholas CookRobert & Kimberly CooperSandra CowperthwaiteMorgan & NicoleCowperthwaite,IIIAnita CoxMartha CramerSandra T. CrittendenJames CrookeMalcolm & Elaine CrooksMike & Kathy DearbornSusan & Spencer Delin Lillian & Duane DemingAl & Joann DesrisGerald & Catalina DetweilerMr. & Mrs. Louis DierkingJ. Greg Dougherty *Barbara DrewJulia M. DuaneThomas Dunn & Timothy KrollDawn & James EngelMary & Nato Tiebout/Evans Family

Members of the Bedminster Land Conservancy 2008We have started our membership drive for 2009. If you are a member, we hope that you renew early, and thank you if you

have already done so! (If you just joined for the first time Nov 2008 or after, you are in our records as a member for 2009.) If you are not a member, please join us and help us preserve the rural lifestyle, farmland and scenic beauty of this area! Our

annual membership fees are very reasonable, starting at just $15 for Seniors and Students. Our current membership categories are listed on page 17. Several members have joined with life membership. Membership contributions are tax-deductible. We are a 501 C-3 organization, registered with the IRS and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations.

Peter & Barbara FarmerCharles & Bernice FeesGene Fickes Mike Firth & Mary GreenhalghRichard Foggio & Robert FergusonPhilip & Regina FranchoisHelka FreelandChris FreiChris French *Bob & Marge FromanAlva D. FunkClement Garrison & Richard VanduzerTom & Helene GirardKenny Goldenberg familySusan GraybillRobert & Sarah-Jane GreerStephen R. GrossmanTom, Anne & Kim HannaRobert Hanson & Gary WesterferRichard & Laura HappJamie & Sharon Heacock William HeefnerWearn Heinz & Mary LennonFlorence Henry Leroy, Kathleen & Carol HerstineCharles Hoeflich Robert & Barbara HollandElfrieda HolzhauserHarlan & Jill Howard Pete & Toni KellersKen & benji Kidwell Wendell KinkerCheryl Klaus & Curtis R. Jensen *Frances KocherBarbara KolbeWalt & Mary KozakMichael Krug & Ellen MillerMartie & Neil KydeJoseph P. & Lorraine A. Lambing FamilyDr. & Mrs. Paul LanctotMarie Muscarella & Jeffrey LandisSusan LebairCharles LebegernJohn & Jill Landes

Ron & Dee LaRueDorothy L. & Lawrence T. LongacreStephen LoweNorman A. MacArthur & William J. NovakEugene & Nancy MacurMr. & Mrs. Benjamin MalchiodiLeonard & Eve Marschark *Patrick Mason & Christina ReisingerJohn & Marda MattoxFrank & Ann McAuliffeDonald & Grace McClintockJohn & Carol McCullough *William & Grace McGowanCharlesT.McIlhinney,Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Barrie G. McMathJason MeiserClaude & Dorothy MercierHarold & Lorraine Meyers *Jim & Colleen MichaelsDon & Karen Moss Paul & Beverly MullerTed MullinsPhyllis MyersJames & Cynthia NadolskiMarita & Tom NashDonald & Dolores NiceScott & Caryn NicholasRalph O’BanionPatrick O’ConnorLinda and Otto OrmosiJim & Mary Kay PetzoldMary L. PiersonMary & Laren Pitcairn Robb Platz & Diana RestifoConstance PlumbSteven PrekupLora & Stuart PrestonGeoff & Maureen RaikeAl & Karen RauchDaryl W. & Brenda RiceTheo Kondos & Kevin Rice N. Laverne & Lois A. RiceE. Beatrice RooneyBob & Elaine RothEarl & Pat RuckdeschelDr. C. Dina Russell, VMDJoseph & Barbara Salvatore

Lisa M. SandlerBernadette & Eric SchaffhausenGilbert & Joan SchleidenJim & Sue SchleidenDorothy SchmidtEmil SchmidtFreda Schopfer William and Laurie SchuttJohn & Eileen SedlockDon & Ellen SharpeHal & Janice SheetsPatricia & Owen SimmonsPat SiwertJames & Denise SmithEd & Dottie SokolaRobert & Carol SpanningerJohn & Linda SpiegelRuth & Chris Stranick Edward StashefskiDavid & Marie StoneTom & Libby Sumter John & Bonita SylvesterBuz & Janet TeacherBarbara ThomasDan & Barbara Todd *Robert & Kristine TothJonathan & Katrina TruebloodScott & Barb TysonLaura UlrichHenk & Betty VanderlelyJohn & Edna WalshJoan WebberDrenning Weidman Tina Walsh-Wilson Wayne & Janet WhitneyRegina WilloughbyChristopher & Sandy WilsonDale & Kathleen WismerRoger & Marcha Witt *Walt & Jean WursterColleen & Ron Wurz *David & Louann ZapicchiJohn A. Ziesel

* indicates lifetime membership category

~ 16 ~

Adams Apple Press/Media DynamicsAGA FarmsB & B CanopyBee Bergvall & Co., Cynthia Bergvall, CPABenton Electric, Benton FamilyBernard S. Delin FurnitureBSC Financial Services, James JourdanBucks County Gardens, LTDBux-Mont Home & Garden Capital Systems, Kaisen FamilyCarter van Dyke Associates ChrisWolffPlumbing,Inc.Chwal Hydro-Seeding, LLC, Heide & Ken Chwalciti smith barney, Tom BrolleClemons, Richter, Walsh & Reiss, PC, Terry Clemons, Esq.Conservation ResourcesCosenza Plumbing & HeatingDaisyGaitFarm,IvyGarfinkelDavid FroehlichDearGardenAssociates,Inc.Dublin Agway - Wurster Farm & Garden E. Rockhill TownshipGeese Auto Salvage

business Members of the bedminster land Conservancy 2008:

Other Donors: BC Design, Brendan RileyBucks County Horse Park Cowan Associates, Todd MyersDerrick Moench (Platz Memorial)Drenning Weidman EcoTyro ConsultingGib & Wendy BattistiJames & Maria JourdanJohnson & Johnson – Employee Award & Matching FundsMerck Co. FoundationPennsylvania Land Trust AssociationRobert Sugarman, Esq.Susan & Robert Pedlow (Platz Memorial)Tonomora Foundation

Please remember to join us in thanking the following businesses and individuals who made contributions to support our fund-raising events this year, listed alphabetically by first name:

Artisan Showcase Contributors:Artisans:Betsy Kreig SalmBob & Kay SchaeffCharley & Paige Coombs D. Masters Kriebel Dan and Marlene Coble Davis SalksDebbie HartwickDennis & Sheila Belanger Don Moss Don Noyes Eric FausnachtGeorge and Denise WorthingtonJack and Trish Johnson Jacquelyne Trone James and Joyce Glynn Jeff Headley Jim Lambert

Artisan Sponsors: AGA FarmsBC DesignBucks County VoTech School

Early American Life Magazine Linden Hill Nursery Paradigm Grafix

Barns & Farms Tour and Garden Tour Contributors & Sponsors: AGA Farms Budget PrintingDoylestown BookshopDublin AgwayGeese Auto SalvageGeorgeJ.Donovan,AIA&Assoc.KeystoneMunicipalEngineering,Inc.

Laurie Ermentrout, MaryKay ConsultantPoint of View Farm, Louise & Ron KassQuakertown National BankRogers Road StandWaWa, PlumsteadvilleW. Scott Taylor, Artist

Barns & Farms Tour Contributors & Sponsors:Annie B’sBrian Murphy Barn RestorationBucks Country GardensChubby’sIceCreamDeep Run PartnersEd Worthington, BlacksmithExcel Dressage

We also thank the landowner hosts & hostesses who graciously open up their properties and the demonstrators and assistants for the Barns & Farms Tour and Garden Tour: (respectively and in alphabetical order): Brian Murphy, Eve & Len Marschark, Jeffrey Marshall, Joseph Slick, Laura Bohn & Richard Fiore, Mark Maier, Mark Schmidt, Matthew and Ann Toll, Rob and Kathleen Loughery, Ronald Day, Ronald & Louise Kass, Scott Taylor, and Ed Worthington; Christina Reisinger & Patrick Mason, Dalton & Mae Kulp, Daryl & Brenda Rice, Jerry Fritz Design - Linden Hill Garden, Jon and Mari Plowman, Lois & Laverne Rice, and Master Gardener volunteers.

Thanks to our Traditional Artisans’ Show Committee and Volunteers: Len & Eve Marschark, Coordinators; Anita Cox, Maria Jourdan, Mary Lennon, Derrick Moench, Don Moss, Karen Tappenden, Mary Tiebout, Tina Walsh & Scott Wilson and Wearn Heinz and special thanks to the administration, faculty and students of the Vo-Tech School.

Many thanks to the Fund-Raising Committee, and their spouses or partners who plan our events and volunteer on the day of the events: Barns & Farms Tour Chair: Louis Dierking; Garden Tour Chair: Laurie Ermentrout; Peggy Adams, Nancy Clark, Marion Dierking, Bob Ferguson, Dick Foggio, Harlan & Jill Howard, Don & Karen Moss, Kevin Rice, Eric and Bernadette Schaffhausen, Bill Serrani, and Roger & Marcha Witt.

Gene SternerGrim, Biehn & ThatcherJason Steich Overhead DoorsKeystone Municipal Engineering, Tom FountainKirchhoff Landscape Nursery & GreenhousesLandis Agencies Larry Rakowsky, D.M.D.Linden Hill Garden, JerryFritzGardenDesign,Inc.Long & Foster, Tina WalshLongaberger/Stonebrook Traditions, Barbara TysonMaryKay Cosmetics, Laurie ErmentroutMerrill Lynch, Ken SchaefferP. Wingate ServicesPat Siwert - Tax CollectorR.F. ContractorsRichard ZavetaRudy’s Storage, Nancy & Rudy Clark Samuel Krinsky, MD, Sweetbriar Homeopathy Stephen Kasmierczak, D.M.D.Trees in Travel, Constance Hermann

Kate Adams Keith Dickson Kolene SpicherLarry & Paige Koosed Len & Eve Marschark Lynda Susan HenniganLynn Taylor Mary Michael ShelleyMary StanleyNancy RosierNancy Shelly Nick VincentPadi Mayhew Peter H. Wallace Robert & Deb Ender Shaari Horowitz & Alistair Jones Steve Hazlett

First Savings Bank of PerkasieIvyroseFarmJeffrey Marshall, PA Historic Barn & Farm FoundationMartin Maier, WoodcarverRonald Day, Artist

Garden Tour Contributors & Sponsors:Abby Brooks Benton ElectricBucks Country GardensCarter van Dyke AssociatesKen Chwal Hydro SeedingConservation ResourcesCote & CompanyDear Garden AssociatesEric Kirchoff Landscape ManagementJerry Fritz, Linden Hill GardenGrim, Biehn & Thatcher

Groveland GrilleKaren & Ron Kaiser, CapitalSystems,Inc.Kenneth G. Schaefer, CFPLakeHouseInnLarry F. Rakowsky, D.M.D.Luberto’s TrattoriaMaster GardenersVan Cleef Engineering Associates

~ 17 ~

bedminster land ConservancyBoard of Directors:

Wendy P. Battisti, PresidentSandra Cowperthwaite, Vice President

Abby Brooks, TreasurerBarbara Thomas, SecretaryGabrielA.BattistiIII

Dan DeveryLaurie Ermentrout

Eve MarscharkJohn Spiegel

Director of ConservationBarbara Drew

Committees: Fund-Raising Committee

Garden Tour ChairLaurie ErmentroutBarn Tour ChairLouis Dierking

www.bedminsterlandconservancy.org

✁

Renew Your Membership Or Join Us For 2009!

Contributions are tax-deductible: the Bedminster Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Thank you for your support. You are helping us make a difference!

To join us fill in and return this portion to:

Bedminster Land ConservancyP.O. Box 208

Bedminster, PA 18910Yes,IsupportthegoalsoftheBedminsterLandConservancyandenclosemy annual dues for 2009:

Regular Membership Categories: $15Student/SeniorMember $30IndividualMember $40FamilyMember $100BusinessSponsor (Please include a business card to publish in our newsletters.) $100+Conservationist $200+Preservationist $1000Benefactor(LifetimeMembership) * Please fill in any additional amount you are contributing ** List name as you want it to appear on labels and in newsletter. Otherwise we will use the name from your check or return address label.

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You could be missing out on being informed on township and local decisions that affect us, as well as invitations to meetings, workshops, and all the conservancy’s social and fund-raising events. By renewing your membership, or joining for the first time, you are helping to preserve the heritage and rural life style we have become accustomed to and love. If your label has 00/00, please become amember by

completing our membership form on the back page. Start receiving all the benefits of membership and become a part of successful efforts that are saving our farms and open spaces in our communities.

Please support the Bedminster Land Conservancy (a nonprofit organization). THANK YOU! TOGETHER WE AREMAKINGADIFFERENCE!

Board of Directors

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBEDMINSTER PAPERMIT NO. 03

The official registration and financial information of the Bedminster Land Conservancy may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.

Registration does not imply endorsement.

Mission statement The goal and purpose of the Bedminster Land Conservancy is to function as a community-based land conservancy for the preservation of farmland and our agricultural heritage, as well as other open spaces, natural resources, wildlife habitats, and scenic features within Bedminster Township and other Bucks County municipalities. The main functions of this conservancy are to identify land of significance and resources for preservation; promote, accept, hold, and provide stewardship of conservation easements; provide information and function as a resource network for area residents and public agencies; sponsor educational preservation programs; conduct fund-raising activities; and work with other groups, corporations, and organizations with similar missions to promote and further the goal of this conservancy.

PO Box 208Bedminster, PA 18910

Preserving the land ~ Protecting the future

The Conservator