Q. I know you are attempting to purchase the land you are growing on but where are you in that process? When will you be able to begin expanding into those six acres?
A. We were recently asked this question and it’s a good one. Just as most of us ‘buy’ a house but still owe the bank, The Lord’s Acre has ‘purchased’ three acres — the land we’re already growing on. Just as we do with our homes, The Lord’s Acre can do as it sees fit with the land as long as we continue paying down the debt. Once the three acres are paid for, the owner will donate an additional three acres for a total of six acres. Even at this point, we are free to expand onto all six acres.
Q. Have you received capital campaign donations yet this year?
A. Yes! The McClure Fund, Judy Carter and Susan Sluyter of Wintersun, and many individuals have contributed to provide a quarter of the total cost so far. We thank them all for believing in the future of Fairview.
Q. Will your expansion look like the site map on your website?
A. Generally, yes. We are in the process of conducting a Fairview Food Assessment and are waiting on the outcome that should be available in April 2012. We want to know what Fairview needs and doesn’t need, what Fairview wants and doesn’t want, before moving forward. Surveys will be available soon. Please make every effort to take the survey and encourage your friends to do so. The more people who fill out the survey, the better we’ll understand where Fairview wants and needs to go, food-wise.
Q. How will you manage the workload of such a large expansion?
A. First, we imagine that much of the expansion will not look like the intensive half-acre already in production. If it fits with the food assessment findings, we hope to add an orchard, small fruits, perennials, a community garden area and spaces for the public to enjoy the out of doors. These require a different level of management. Additionally, we are always looking for knowledgeable volunteers to ‘own’ one of these new sections. Someone passionate about fruit and nut trees, for example, may be interested in helping us plant, tend and mentor interns along those lines.
Larger site plan by Ambient Design Group at thelordsacre.org/wp/tla-expansion
The plan
December Town Crier Omission:
Last month we listed our Great Pumpkin Race sponsors and due to an error on our part, Cloud 9 Farm in Fairview was not on that list. They should have been. They WERE a proud sponsor of that race and support of The Lord’s Acre. We deeply regret that error.
Susan Sides is The Lord’s Acre Garden Director. Reach her at thelordsacre@gmail.com
Recent Comments