‘Salt of the Earth’

SUGAR LOAF — Award winning photographer Robert Skinner of Warwick has launched a photography project on farms in Orange County conserved with help from Orange County Land Trust.

Called “Salt of the Earth,” the project focuses on the farmers and farm families who have chosen to protect their lands from future development.

The project also is listed on Hatchfund.org, a Web site where artists post their projects and people who want to see the project realized can fund the artist’s work. Benefactors of the arts from all over the world contribute to fund various arts projects. Contributors can log on and make tax deductible donations beginning at $1.

For the next generation of farmer

Skinner has begun photographing farms in New Windsor, Warwick and Salisbury Mills. More of a portraiture than a landscape photographer, Skinner will focus on the people who have voluntarily conserved their farms so that the land will remain available for agricultural use for the next generation of farmer.

“Every farmer and every farm family has a story to tell,” Orange County Land Trust Executive Director Jim Delaune said in the organization’s press release announcing the project, “and through Bob’s photography, all of us will have a greater understanding of the lives of our farmers and the importance in protecting our farmland.”

Skinner said his project will emphasize the human element to land protection, the connection that each farmer and farm family feels to the land and why they felt it was important to place it in trust.

Orange County Land Trust will hold an opening reception in the spring of 2014, with an exclusive preview reception for benefactors. It is anticipated that the exhibit will then travel around the county with stints in local libraries and other public venues.

Essential information
Salt of the Earth can be found at http://www.hatchfund.org/project/salt_of_the_earth

For two decades, Orange County Land Trust has worked to preserve Orange County’s natural resources, scenic landscapes and working farmland, resulting in the protection of nearly 5,000 acres of land, including twelve working farms. The Land Trust owns and stewards eleven nature preserves, seven which are free and open to the public every day for outdoor recreation and nature study. Two preserves are leased to farmers and are in active production, and one preserve is inaccessible and protected for wildlife habitat.

To become a member, call 845-469-0951 ext. 14 or visit online at www.oclt.org for a downloadable and printable membership form and for more information.