Having just joined the family in the annual It's a Wonderful Life viewing, I thought, once again, about how truly remarkable and unique the Reserve is... and how fragile. Remember the film's gripping scene when there is a run on the local bank and George Bailey spots a crowd of frightened shareholders descending on the family's savings and loan? George Bailey's earnest explanation of the benefits that the Savings and Loan provided, both individually and collectively, brought all but one, who still demanded his entire $242, to understand that there was a imperative to sustain the institution. They each took what they needed without crushing the savings and loan.
So it is, as I see it, with the Ag Reserve. We could easily wring every last dime out of the land for the benefit of a few at the expense of the many... sure we could.
And we could do so after expending millions of public and private dollars on preservation easements and countless hours establishing, supporting and defending land for farming and open space preservation. We could
deplete the Reserve by turning a blind eye to important preservation goals for open space and natural and historic resources. But much like the community service provided by Bailey Bros. Savings and Loan, the Reserve pays dividends in clean air, water quality, open space, food and fiber - the list goes on. The survival of farming and the Reserve is a commonly shared goal and we have all invested so much in it.
How do we arrive at a consensus as to the best means to keeping the land in farming and protecting open space and natural resources in the face of myriad challenges and pressures? Meeting this challenge is precisely what we do each day.
Since 2001, we have been the organization on the ground protecting the quality of our farms, open space and water supply. Our collaborative and tenacious approach has lead us to be called "one of the best" nonprofits in the region. Your tax deductible investment in our community stays here but goes far to ensure a future for local farms.
Peace of the Season to you and yours,
Caroline Taylor, Executive Director
