Stewardship
We are searching for a steward who is prepared to love and care for this very special place as we have.
We are not looking for “a buyer”.
When we received a conservation award from the Lancaster County Preservation Historic Trust in 2018, we said in our speech that "...the idea of owning a place like Windswept Farm is rather ridiculous. You are lucky enough to live there, spend considerable amounts of time, money, and energy in maintaining her the way she is and, where you can, you uncover pieces of her previous glory and restore them. And when the time comes when you have to let go, you find a new steward who is worthy of that task and you hand her over.”
This is where we are right now.
Since 1987, we have taken measures to look after Windswept driven by a desire for conservation, preservation, and environmental responsibility.
Clean and Green. Clean and Green is a preferential tax assessment program, that bases property taxes on use values rather than fair market values. This ordinarily results in a tax savings for landowners. The Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted the program in 1974 as a tool to encourage protection of the Commonwealth's valuable farmland, forestland and open spaces. Currently, more than 9.3 million acres are enrolled statewide.
1995 - Created a NRCS Conservation Plan.
2007 - Installed 30 solar panels on the barn roof and registered with PJM-EIS, and Pennsylvania Power and Light as a solar producer. In addition, arranged to sell SRECs through Srectrade. Not only good for the environment, we have no cost electricity. The following year installed a solar hot water system for the house.
2010 - Enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
2011 - Developed a Nutrient Management Plan.
2017 - Registered our barn with the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational resources for the long-term preservation, protection, and documentation of historic barns in Pennsylvania, and the agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth.
2018 - Granted a Preservation and Conservation Easement to The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County (HPT) and the property is subject to yearly inspection to ensure that the terms of the easement continue to be met. A preservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement that protects a significant historic, archaeological or cultural resource from alteration or destruction. It provides assurance of protection through subsequent owners who will be subject to the restrictions contained in the easement. The easement is recorded with the deed and runs in perpetuity.
2022 - In co-operation with 10 Million Trees, planted close to 200 trees on the property.
Also, the spirit of caring for the land and buildings naturally evolves into compassion for the creatures who find shelter therein.
2012 to present - Approximately 40 felines in the Trap, Neuter, Return Program.
