Celebrating land conservation
The Land Conservancy of Adams County (LCAC) held its 20th annual Summer Picnic on Sunday, September 8 hosted at the home farm of Hanover Shoe Farms, a world-renowned racehorse breeding operation. There were 150 members and supporters in attendance sharing a meal and fellowship celebrating the important conservation work led by LCAC.
Hanover Shoe Farms was selected as the host location for the picnic following a successful conservation project to preserve over 1,700 acres in 2023. The Adams County Agricultural Land Preservation Program partnered with Conewago and Union Townships to preserve over 1,000 acres in nine parcels while the Land Conservancy partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to preserve two sites totaling 750 acres in Mount Pleasant Township. One of the Land Conservancy projects included the protection of 100 acres as grasslands of special significance, incorporating new management practices to promote habitat for declining grassland bird species.
Hanover Shoe Farms is a significant landowner and employer in Adams County. Its economic impact to the Adams County economy is recorded at $49 million annually according to a recent study of the Adams County Office of Planning & Development.
Fun fact: In 2019, horses bred at Hanover Shoe Farms won more earnings for jockeys than any other breeding facility in the world!
In total, the Land Conservancy has preserved 13,275 acres in Adams County since its inception in 1995. The organization is lead by a board of directors with two incredible team members who support the mission of preserving the rural lands and character of Adams County.
And the Events Committee is not done yet! Our upcoming fundraiser, the 26th annual Road Rally, is LCAC’s largest fundraiser of the year. Scheduled for Saturday, October 19 this year’s rally theme is “Made in Adams County.” The route will take rally-goers through northern and eastern Adams County to visit a few long-standing companies who produce world-class products right here in our own backyard!
The route this year consists of 4 destinations and wraps up with a finish line party where attendees enjoy dinner (included in the registration fee). There is still time to register your rally team! Visit our website at https://www.preserveadams.org/road-rally for more information. Corporate sponsorships are available as well.
If events aren’t your thing but you still want to support LCAC, fear not! The Land Conservancy participates in the Giving Spree scheduled for November 7 this year. The Giving Spree is a dedicated day of giving for 100+ nonprofit organizations from Adams County. You can find more information on the Adams County Community Foundation website at www.adamscountycf.com. Be sure to include LCAC’s Giving #68 on your donation form!
If you’d like to learn more about the work we do, the Land Conservancy is participating in the Donor Information Session “Animal Welfare & the Environment” on Wednesday, October 9 at noon at the Gettysburg Library. For a full list of Donor Information Sessions being held this fall and to save your spot, visit the library’s webpage at: www.adamslibrary.org/giving-spree.
As we move into the final quarter of the year and the season of giving, we hope you’ll consider supporting the work of the Land Conservancy!
Kaycee Kemper serves on the Land Conservancy board of directors.
