Benefit raises $75,000 for Land Trust

Funds have been used to protect more than 4,000 acres of land and working farms

WASHINGTONVILLE — More than $75,000 was raised for land preservation and farmland protection at “The Land We Share,” Orange County Land Trust’s 2012 Annual Benefit reception and silent auction held on June 8.

More than 330 people came to Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville to support the Land Trust and to honor Cornell University Cooperative Extension Orange County, which was presented with the Orange County Land Trust 2012 Leadership Award.

The reception is the Land Trust’s largest annual fund raiser, raising money for the preservation of Orange County’s working farms and important natural areas.

This year’s benefit committee was chaired by Pamela Breeman of Warwick.

The 2012 reception included cocktail-style dining outdoors in the newly restored 19th century Grand Monarque Hall at Brotherhood Winery, with food from local farms prepared by Main Course Farm to Table Foods & Catering.

Music was provided by The David Crone Trio and design by Bertolini & Co., of Warwick.

Stuart Turner, vice president of Orange County Land Trust, presented Cornell University Cooperative Extension with the 2012 Leadership Award “for their enduring and sustaining impact on our county’s economy, education and environment, and for their leadership in disaster relief, environmental stewardship and youth development through an award winning 4H program,” he said.

Turner referred to Cornell Cooperative Extension as “our premier research-based cooperative educational system in the county” and thanked them for their work “on behalf of the beauty of our lands and the bounty of our farms.”

Executive Director Lucy Joyce accepted the award.

In addition, nearly 90 businesses and individuals donated goods and services for the silent auction and for decorations, raffle and awards.

Essential information
Orange County Land Trust has helped protect more than 4,000 acres of land and working farms, working in cooperation with individual landowners, Orange County executive and planning departments and municipalities, as well as other conservation organizations to protect Orange County’s open spaces, and natural and agricultural heritage.

The nonprofit land trust owns and manages ten nature preserves, with seven open to the public for hiking, birding and nature study.

For more information, volunteer opportunities and upcoming events, visit www.oclt.org.

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