Crebilly Farm Update 9/26/21

Dear Friends,

Though there is no new news to share at this time regarding Crebilly Farm, I feel it important to stay connected as we navigate a new path.  I do not intend my updates to be as frequent as in the past and I thought I should take this opportunity to share a few things.  

I would like to draw your attention to a nearby farm in West Bradford, about five miles from Crebilly Farm.  Tarad Hill, another Chester County icon that shares comparable historic value to Crebilly Farm and the events that occurred during the Battle of the Brandywine September 11, 1777, is currently threatened; please see for yourselves as a picture is worth a thousand words:   
https://chestercountyramblings.com/2021/09/10/here-we-go-again-a-new-battle-for-the-brandywine/

The current owner of Tarad Hill is marketing his land to developers.  You may have seen his flashing, digital billboard signs along route 202 in Westtown township.  Ironically, this person rides with Radnor Hunt on a regular basis.  One would think if you ride with the Hunt, you would advocate for open space because, pray tell, where else will you ride your horse?  

I bring this to your attention to stress the importance of conservation easements.  Conservation easements are what protect the integrity of land in perpetuity as it is passed from steward to steward.  It can be a lot to ask of a landowner.  But, when done thoughtfully and sensitively, it can be an incredible recipe for success on all levels.  In some cases, it can provide landowners funding to enable them to continue farming.  In other cases, it can enable a landowner to remain living on the land they love and maintaining its upkeep.  It is a way to help control thoughtless, mass development by protecting what can never be replaced:  land, nature and history, the three biggest reasons people are so drawn to Chester County.  

It is our local conservancies such as The Brandywine Conservancy,  Natural Lands Trust, The Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County, Marshallton Conservation Trust and many others, who work with landowners, municipalities, the county, state and other non-profit entities to help preserve what makes Chester County one of the most desirable places to live, in our country.  I have been asked by others in the past how to help.  If you value open space, then any support, whether financial or volunteering your time, to the above mentioned entities is helpful.  All of the entities I have mentioned are legitimate, nonprofits with a 501-(c)(3).  Regardless, no matter where you decide to send your hard earned money, do your homework first and check charitynavigator.org.  

In closing, I would like to sincerely thank you for your very kind messages regarding the departure of Toll Brothers from Crebilly Farm.  Though I wish I had that kind of power, I had nothing to do with it.  What an incredible stroke of luck!  In the meantime, I will continue to do my small part of keeping you informed until there is no longer a need for me to do so.  I can hardly wait for the day.  Now, someone please queue the knight in shining armor and let’s really save that land.

If not you, then who?

Sincerely,

Mindy Rhodes