ridgeline
Spring 2015 a publication of the Merck Forest and Farmland Center “Teaching, demonstrating & sustaining a working landscape”
In This Issue
Conservation Easements A Note From the Director
1
By Tom Ward, Executive Director
Conservation Easements Maple Celebration and Pancake Breakfast
2
Upcoming Community Events and Workshops
3 Meet the 2015 Apprentices
4
Why would anyone want to give up the right to do whatever they thought was appropriate with land and buildings they own? The simple answer is that some individuals and organizations choose to limit what they can do with their land in order to conserve/preserve it in its current state, mostly with the thought that the land will not be sub-divided into small parcels to be used for private homes. There is surely a public benefit to be had from conserving the undeveloped parts of the 3,160 acres owned by Merck Forest Foundation, Inc., thereby
keeping it in agriculture and silviculture use for future generations. As with most things, the devil is in the details and the deliberations of an Easement Committee formed to look into the issues have brought this into sharp relief. There is much agreed by most committee members but real concern is appropriately brought to the fore when the legal document states that the landowner must ask the easement holder’s permission to do things not approved in the underlying agreement... (continued on page 5)
Recognition of the 2014 Donors
Maple Celebration and Pancake Breakfast
5
March 28 and 29, 2015, 10 am - 2 pm Tickets sold at door: $10/adult, $5/ages 4 - 12, under age 4 FREE
2014 Donors Make Your Own Suet
6 Vermont Changes Syrup Grading System Recipe from the Lodge
8 Ladies of the Gold Lamé Visit MFFC
3270 Route 315, PO Box 86, Rupert, Vermont 05768 www.merckforest.org p. 802.394.7836
M. Carll
Lambing Begins in March
M. Carll
About Us & Membership
D. Sullivan
7
Sugaring time is a sweet season. The warm scent of boiling sap hangs in the air around any sugar house, and the delicious smell is a promise of even more delicious maple syrup.
Volunteers are always needed!
Here at Merck Forest, along with the Bennington County Sugar Makers’ Association, we like to honor Vermont’s Maple Open House Weekend by having a Maple Celebration and Pancake Breakfast.
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact info@merckforest.org or call 802.394.7836.
Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the 28th and the 29th of March, we will offer our delicious breakfast spread of eggs, pancakes, and Merck Forest’s own pork sausage and organic maple syrup. Coffee, tea, juice and milk will also be provided.
Children’s activities will run at the farm, wagon rides will convey people to and from the sap house, and newborn lambs and little piglets will be romping around the farmyard. Our staff looks forward to hosting another great event this year.