Topic: How and why land trusts and county planners need to actively engage in making land available to small organic farm producers. Focus is on the economic benefits to communities and the environmental benefits to natural area preservation.
This program will be held the week of March 17th. More detailed information will be coming as to date, location and time.
Dr. Brad Leibov, President and CEO of Liberty Prairie Foundation (Grayslake , IL) will be our presenter.
This program was suggested by Steve Sandlin, who has heard Dr, Leibov on this topic. Steve's comments:
"Fantastic and engaging. LPF has been very successful in developing lease agreements and protocol for establishing small sustainable farm enterprises on property held by land trusts and on public land."
OTN Steering is very excited about his coming talk as well. Here are two of the many positive comments from Steering.
"I think this would be a fabulous program. It would be beneficial to any organization or individual who is interested in preserving land. At times, it can be a struggle to come up with the "right" things to say about why it is important to preserve land – particularly when you "just know" it's the right thing. Hearing the case for support would be wonderful."
Jessica Jens
Executive Director
Riveredge Nature Center
"This would be a very worthwhile event that fits the focus of the OTN very well. Sustainable agriculture is an important link in our effort to preserve our open space, etc.....
I actually had a person from Fox Point contact our office last week seeking land in the Ulao Creek watershed on which to grow organic produce on easement land...
Would be beneficial to learn more."
Andy Holschbach