BLC Newsletter_2016 Fall

“When you get kids in the creek
and show them just how much life
there is in our waterways, there
is this moment of excitement.”
– Katie McKone
Kentucky Division of Water
See page 12 for the full article.

Contents
03 Message from the Chair
Elizabeth Buxton joins Bluegrass Conservancy as our Executive Director
“Raising horses is all I’ve
wanted to do since I was 12,
so I’m living my dream.”
– Nicholas Lotz
Briarbrooke
Bourbon County
04 Conservation Spotlight
Briarbrooke, Bourbon County
06 Conservation Society
BGC-Protected Properties
08 Year in Review
2015 Annual Report
10 Donor Spotlight
BGC Donors & A Guide to Planned Giving
12
12 Program Spotlight
Elkhorn Creek as Classroom!
BGC kids have had a busy summer: hunting crawdads,
cleaning up Elkhorn Creek, and raising Monarch butterflies.
13 Partner Spotlight
Fayette Alliance’s new Executive Director talks about Lexington’s
upcoming Comprehensive Plan and Urban Service Boundary.
13 Board Spotlight
Peek Garlington named to Bluegrass Conservancy
Board of Directors.
14
14 Event Spotlight
16 th Annual Auction Highlights
16 Conservation Snapshot
BGC Key Land Values
12
Founded in 1995, Bluegrass Conservancy works to protect the Bluegrass region
of Kentucky through land conservation for future generations. As a nationally
accredited, community supported, 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust, we work on a
voluntary basis with landowners, community groups, and municipalities
to encourage the preservation of land for agricultural viability, natural
habitat, rural heritage, and scenic open space.
2 | BluegrassConservancy.org

© Elizabeth Buxton.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Bluegrass Conservancy Names
New Executive Director
2015 and 2016 were transformative years in the history
of Bluegrass Conservancy.
Thanks to your support, in 2015 we surpassed 25,500 acres of land protected.
With 20 years of experience, that’s an average of over 1,275 acres protected
each year — ranking us one of the top land trusts in the country! We couldn’t
have accomplished this feat without the support of our community, the
dedication of our Board, and the expertise of our professional staff.
Looking ahead at our next 20 years, we are excited to continue assembling a
team that can accomplish even more for our Bluegrass region. During the first
nine months of 2016, Jessie Bessinger and the entire staff did an outstanding
job stepping up to lead the organization during a transition of leadership.
They accomplished a great deal including a record-breaking Auction event,
increased landowner cultivation and community engagement, and a renewed
enthusiasm around Bluegrass Conservancy.
The Board of Directors conducted a national search
and in October announced Elizabeth Buxton as its
new Executive Director. Liz, a native of Tidewater,
Virginia, brings over 20 years of experience working
in land conservation and historic preservation.
A graduate of the College of Charleston in SC,
Liz has worked in Maryland for the last 15 years and
served as Director of the Maryland Environmental
Trust, one of the oldest and largest statewide land
trusts in the country. She most recently was the
Executive Director of the Valleys Planning Council,
a Baltimore based nonprofit land conservation
organization that protects scenic farmland and natural resources.
Liz is no stranger to Kentucky having lived and worked for nearly a decade
in the Bluegrass region. Her experience includes working for the Kentucky
Division of Historic Properties, the Lexington-Fayette County Government
Office of Historic Preservation, and the City of Shelbyville Historic District
Commission. Please help us welcome Liz back to the Bluegrass.
We are excited for the leadership Liz will provide as we work to advance our
mission into the future. With your continued support, we aim to increase the
pace and quality of land conservation across the Bluegrass region. We are
focused on protecting our Bluegrass lands in perpetuity while providing great
service to our landowners. Feel free to reach out to any of us at any time;
we are happy to hear from you.
Helen Alexander
Chair
Our Team
Elizabeth Buxton
Executive Director
Jessie Bessinger
Assoicate Director
Ashley Greathouse
Counsel
Director of Conservation
Laura Miller
Community Programs &
Events Coordinator
Alison Freels
Office Manager
Nicole Zub
Legal Intern
Board of Directors
Helen Alexander, Chair
Libby Jones, Vice-Chair
Michael Burns, Secretary
Michael Potapov, Treasurer
Lendy Brown
Laurel Catto
Brutus Clay
Robert Clay
Luke Fallon
Peek Garlington
Margaret Graves
Russell Gray
Boo Hardy
Hoppy Henton
Natalie H. Lyster
Betty Kenan
Connie Jo Miller
Maegan F. Nicholson
Advisors
Ben Abell
Doug Dean
Bill Henkel
Will Hodgkin
Field Ladd
John Phillips
John Stuart
Visit BluegrassConservancy.org for mor
information on our team and a listing our
committees.
3

Lead by example and
Our local economy is rooted in our farms
When asked about the importance of preserving Kentucky’s farmland,
Nicholas Lotz of Briarbrooke talked about his own backyard, remarking
how, “Bourbon County is a very special place in Kentucky and in the world.
Its soils, landscape, unique woodland pastures, and productivity have long made it
a highly prized farming area.”
He should know. His family, on his
mother’s side, has been farming in
Bourbon County, near Ruddles Mill,
since the 1790’s. His parents had
much in common, his father’s family
having been farmers in Ohio since
the early 1800’s.
As is tradition and will not come as a
surprise to any family whose livelihood
has been rooted in the ground for
multiple generations, farming skills are
passed from the old to young simply
by involvement and the need for work
to be done. Children are often given
small chores at an early age—their
responsibilities then growing as they
do. Learning the routines and tools of
the family business are paramount to
a farm’s success.
Nick’s farming education was certainly
built upon on the ground training.
He shares how his grandfather, “put
me on a Farmall 100 when I was nine
years old. He drove one pass around
the front field. Then rode with me as
I drove one pass around. After that
he stepped off the tractor and said,
‘I have hay to bale. Mow the field and
don’t break anything. And don’t drive
out into the road.’ That was my first
big boy lesson. Later, I studied farm
management and animal science at
the University of Kentucky.”
Prior to his purchase, the land that
comprises Briarbrooke was entirely
agricultural with tobacco, crops, and
cattle production. Starting in 1983,
Nick, his former wife, Rose, and his
now-retired veterinarian, Stuart Burns
put most of the fields into permanent
pasture, with 30 acres in alfalfa hay
production. Once the pastures were
established, they started adding
Thoroughbred horses, both his own
and several borders. Today, the farm has
grown from 135 acres of undeveloped
farmland to 305 acres and is home to
approximately 80 horses and 40 cows.
Rich in history
Of course the equine industry has
been active in Bourbon County for
over 200 years. In the recent past, it
has dramatically impacted our local
economy by providing many jobs,
raising land prices, and supporting
local businesses. Nick anticipates a
more modest role for the Thoroughbred
industry as horse numbers shrink
back a bit; but he is excited to see the
resurgence of many other small farms
supporting non-racing horses, and with
that support, bringing new people,
ideas, and energy to the Bluegrass.
When considering the donation of a
conservation easement on his land,
Nick’s main impetus was to preserve
the land for future generations. His
4 | BluegrassConservancy.org

preserve the land
adult grandchildren have their own
professional aspirations, which do not
include farming; and, without immediate
heirs, he felt it to be imperative that he
protect the land. In addition to being
able to define his land as forever farmland,
Nick points to the now permanent
enhanced federal tax incentive as
contributing to the appeal he found
in making his decision.
Nick agrees with his fellow Bourbon
County easement donor, Arthur
Hancock, believing there is no downside
for farming operations to donate
conservation easements. As Nick puts
it, “So, lead by example and preserve
the land.”
Presently, there are significant tax
advantages available to encourage
permanent farmland conservation.
If you would like to talk about
options, please give Ashley a
call at 859-255-4552 or email
agreathouse@bluegrassconservancy.org.
All conversations are confidential to
preserve your family’s privacy.
“Once land is developed for commercial use, it no longer
represents a bountiful blank canvas for future generations
to use and enjoy.”
– Nicholas Lotz, Briarbrooke
Bourbon County
©Bobby Shiflet of Frames on Main in Paris, Kentucky for Briarbrooke.
5

Taking care of the land, , every
To all those who have conserved or own protected farms, we are grateful and inspired. Thank you for
all you do for the land, every day. Family farms are the backbone of Kentucky, and your partnership
represents the future of our community.
Anderson County
Ann and Darrell Gabhart
Panther Rock Farm
Patricia and Dennis Monohan
Monohan Farm
Bourbon County
Anonymous
Stonereath Stud*
Mary Clay and John Berry
Auvergne
Sara Clay and George Branch
Canefield Farm
Felicia and Doug Branham
Hurricane Hills
Hurricane Hills North
Hurricane Hills West
Flying High Farm
Lendy and Darrell Brown
Stonereath Farm
Brenda and R. Berle Clay
Auvergne
Isabel McHenry Clay
The Larches
Rhonda Cornum and Kory Cornum
Munroc Farm
Louise Courtelis
Town and Country*
Seth, Clay, and Dell Hancock
Claiborne Farm
Seth Hancock
Cherry Valley
Staci and Arthur Hancock
Stone Farm
Edwina and Robert Hensley
Resting Acres Division*
Hinkle Brothers, LLC
Hinkle Farm
Sherry and Steve Judy
Kane Farm dba 4 Sons Farm*
Gayle and Jim Kane
Kane Angus
Margaret A. Lake
Lake Farm
Lary Farm, LLC
Glenlary
Nicholas M. Lotz
Briarbrooke
Pam and Bart McFarland
Resting Acres
Pamela and Charles Parker
The Parker Farm
Kristina and John Penn
Pennland
Beatrice Clay Moran
Canefield Farm
Katie Sutphin
Victory Haven
Yoder Family
Lake Farm*
Boyle County
Bright Family LLC
Bright Family Farm
Drs. Katherine L. Bright and
Daniel J. Moran
Katherine Bright Farm
Louise and Fred Dearborn
Fieldstone Farm
Mary Pat and Scott Hankla and
Faye and Ren Hankla
Hankla Farm
Martha and Angereau McConnell
Springhouse Farm
Clark County
Dede McGehee
Heaven Trees
Linda and Nelson Barnes
Barnes Stoner Bend Farm Beth and Dan Pride
Oxford Farm
Ben C. Kaufmann and Janet Zusman
CallieCash Farm
Barbara Sims
Cornerstone Farm*
Carolyn King
The Richard Hunt Smith Nature
and Wildlife Sanctuary
Leesa and Keith Moorman
Bow Wood Farm
Franklin County
Katie Sutphin
Sutphin Farm
Frances P. Canty
Arrowhead Farm
Dr. and Mrs. John van Nagell
Boone Valley Farm
Brookfield Farm
Fayette County
Helen C. Alexander
Middlebrook Farm
Anonymous
Newtown Anner Stud Farm
Estate of Hilary J. Boone, Jr.
Wimbledon Farm
Jeanne Cox and Michael Owens
Cornerstone Farm
Susanna and Leon Creek
and Ann J. Parker
Polohunt Farm
Patricia and Johnny Elkins
Chestnut Hill Farm
Clay Hancock
EIEIO Farm
Betty and Jim Kenan
Kenan Farm
Alston and Johnny Kerr
Greenfields
Lori Kirk-Wagner
Lori Kirk-Wagner Farm
Bonnie and Dick Maynard
Maynard Farm
Dr. and Mrs. John van Nagell
Brookfield Farm
Boone Valley Farm
Mary Alice Dacosse and Lynn
Dacosse
Arrowhead Farm*
Harrison County
Russell Gray
Gray’s Run Farm
Susan and R. M. Richards
Chicory Ridge
Jessamine County
Estate of Richard J. Corman
R. J. Corman Farm
Marijo and Tom Foster
La Fontaine
Estate of Barbara Hunter
Brownwood Farm
Ann and James Robert Wilson
The Judge Place
Pleasant Grove
Madison County
Lois Combs-Richards
Combs-Richards Farm
Mary Elizabeth Richards
Combs-Richards Farm
Mercer County
John D. Stuart
High Peak Farm-Mercer Co.
Scott County
Mr. and Mrs. David Greathouse
Cockaigne
Laura D. and Robert L. Riddle
Riddle Family Farm
Anna and Paul Isaacs
Shagbark
Woodford County
Helen C. Alexander
Spring Station Farm
Anonymous
Newtown Anner Stud Farm
Gay and Michael Barnett
Blackburn Farm
Mina Berger
Woodstock Farm
Frances P. Canty
Ridge Farm
Shawn Canty
Ridge Farm*
Mary and Joseph Carter Family
Carter Farms
Dr. and Mrs. John Caton
Hillside Farm
Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Clay
Three Chimneys Farm
Pam and Roger Conley
Wildflower Farm
Susanna and Leon Creek
and Ann J. Parker
Polohunt Farm
Mr. and Mrs. William Curlin
Dunvegan
Dr. and Mrs. Mike Daugherty
Three Springs Farm
Drs. Claire and Rolf Embertson
Chancey Mill Farm
Gerald Ford
Diamond A Farms*
Drs. Laurie and David Haas
Lookout Farm
6 | BluegrassConservancy.org

day...
Gloria and Jack Halter
The Halter Farm
Hoppy Henton
Henton Farms
Dr. Stephen and Debbie Jackson
Jackson Purchase
Margaret and David Jeffiers
Trailside Farm
Libby and Brereton Jones
Airdrie Stud
Airdrie: Gratz Place and Home Place
Woodburn Farm
JMI Farms, LLC
Chanteclair*
Captain and Mrs. Richard Kane
Horseshoe Bend Farm
Alice Carneal Kinkead
Braestone Farm
Dorothy and William Mathews V
Hanlen Farm
Randle Properties, LLC
Ashley House Farm
Allison and Danny Richardson
Buckhead Ranch
Sally and Andrew Schneider
Millwood Springs Farm*
Shenton Business Limited
Shenton Farm*
Suzi Shoemaker
Lantern Hill Farm
John D. Stuart
High Peak Farms
Jan and Ben Taylor
Taylor Farms
Andrea and Bernard V. Tew
Willow Springs Farm
Elaine and Ben Walden
Paul’s Mill
Dr. and Mrs. Smiser West
Waterford and Millford Farms
Sheryl Wood and Craig Wood
Millwood Springs Farm
*Second Generation Landowners
Why I Conserved
“From a strictly economic standpoint,
conservation is an excellent way to
pay for expansion, infrastructure,
college education, or anything that
your family needs…Typically cash
flow on a farm is so low relative to
investment that you’re often cash
poor, but conservation tax incentives
really help keep more of the cash
you do earn in your own pocket
and farm operations.”
– John Penn, Pennland
Bourbon County
2004, 2006, 2008 & 2011
Have questions or want to learn more?
We welcome all inquiries and all conversations are strictly confidential. To discuss the benefits
associated with protecting your land and what will work best for you and your family, contact
Ashley, agreathouse@bluegrassconservancy.org or (859) 255-4552.
Every family is unique and so are their farm conservation plans. Visit our Protected Land
section at BluegrassConservancy.org to read stories from some of the landowners who
chose to donate a conservation easement to us.
©Boo Hardy.
©Stone Farm.
7

2015 Annual Report
Year in Review
Every day, making a difference
It is the financial support from donors like you that enables us to permanently protect farms here in the Bluegrass region.
As a community-supported nonprofit, more than half of our funding comes from individual donors. Dollars we put to work
for land conservation and community programs happening here in Central Kentucky.
Community Report
Fiscal Year 2015
Protected in 2014-15
4,097 Acres of
WORKING FARMLAND
21 Miles of
SCENIC ROAD FRONTAGE
Support
Individuals = 61%
Grants/Foundations = 14%
Businesses = 13%
•
In-Kind = 5%
Other = 7%
725 Acres of
WILDLIFE HABITAT
13 Miles of
RIVERS & STREAMS
6.7% Kentucky’s farmland loss
between 2002 – 2014
25,624 Acres protected from 1998-2015
That equals roughly:
298 Commonwealth Stadiums
174 Keenelands
21 Kentucky Horse Parks
8 | BluegrassConservancy.org

© James Archambeault.
Monarch Butterfly
Project
Friends of Bluegrass Conservancy
2016 Program Report
5 Free, family-friendly, educational
and interactive programs
419 Kid participants
3 BGC protected property hosts
• Hankle Farm
• Kenan Farm
• Riddle Farm
11 Community partners on programming
• Birding Walk: Scott Hankla
• Crawdad Hunt: Kentucky Division of Water
• Creek Clean-Up: Bluegrass Greensource
• Monarch Butterfly Project:
Bourbon County: St. Mary’s School
Fayette County: Community Montessori School,
Community Montessori Middle School, Good Shepherd Day
School, Maxwell Spanish Immersion Magnet Elementary
Franklin County: Capital Day School,
Collins Lane Elementary
Scott County: Children’s Montessori
School of Georgetown
See page 12 for program articles.
Kenan Farm Creek Clean-Up
ELECTION RESULTS
Your votes are in, meet the
new Executive Committee!
Crawdad Hunt
Chair: Katie Martin
Vice Chair: Dean Roethemeier
Secretary: Whitney Simms
Treasurer: Sara Gooden
SAVE THE DATE
This year’s annual Jingle Bell Bash will be on Friday,
December 9 th at the Thomas Hunt-Morgan House in
downtown Lexington.
Mark your calendar now and kick off the holiday season with us!
9

Thank you for your generous
that family farms, wildlife habitat, rural heritage, and scenic
Conservation Partners
Ms. Helen C. Alexander
Mr. Peter Berglar
Mr. & Mrs. J. Darrell Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Peek Garlington, III
Mr. & Mrs. Greg Goodman
Hilary Boone Foundation Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hill
Governor & Mrs. Brereton C. Jones
Mr. & Mrs. James G. Kenan
Ms. Nancy Lampton
Mr. & Mrs. David Richard Masson
Spray Foundation, Inc.
Catalysts
Anonymous
Ms. Boo Hardy
Toyota Motor Manufacturing,
Kentucky in Georgetown
Benefactors
Mr. & Mrs. Craig Bandoroff
Mr. & Mrs. John Catto
Albert G. Clay Family Foundation
Mary K. Oxley Foundation
Mr. Art Preston
Stewards
Mrs. Caroline Huger Boone
Mr. & Mrs. Michael T. Burns
Ms. Susan G. Harkins
Ms. Waddell W. Hancock II
The Lary Foundation, Inc.
Keeneland Foundation
Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners
& Breeders, Inc.
Mrs. Lori Kirk-Wagner
Dr. & Mrs. Emler A. Neuman
Mr. & Mrs. James C. Nicholson
Mr. & Mrs. John Penn
Mr. Rob Samuels
Patrons
Abercrombie Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Ian Banwell
E. S. Barr & Company
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Bruckheimer
Mr. & Mrs. James Robert Boyd
Mr. & Mrs. George S. Branch
Ms. Valerie Callcott-Stevens
Alex G. Campbell Foundation
Mr. Joseph C. Carter, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Brutus J. Clay III
Ms. Isabel Clay
Ms. Valerie Cravens &
Mr. Paul Mulhollem
Dr. & Mrs. Luke H. Fallon
Mr. & Mrs. George Gans III
Mrs. Helen K. Groves
Ms. Clay Hancock
Mr. & Mrs. Seth W. Hancock
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas S. Hinkle
Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm
Managers’ Club
Mr. & Mrs. Bret Jones
Mr. & Mrs. John Paul Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Monohan
Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Peterson
Mr. & Mrs. John Phillips
Ms. Nancy Barnett &
Mr. Mikhail Potapov
Mr. & Mrs. Darrell Schirmer
Mr. & Mrs. Isaac C. Van Meter
Ms. Sue Van Patten &
Mr. Steve South
Dr. & Mrs. J. Sloan Warner, Jr.
Protectors
Ms. Dorothy Cordray
Mr. & Mrs. Doug Dean
Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Dearborn
Mr. & Mrs. James Elliott
Ms. Margaret Graves &
Mr. Jeff Hallos
Mr. & Mrs. Russell Gray
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Hancock III
Mr. Hampton Harrison Henton, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Hester
Mr. William Hilliard, Jr.
Mr. William G. Lussky
Mr. & Mrs. Gray Lyster
Mr. John McCarty
Dr. Dede McGehee
Ms. Connie Jo Miller &
Mr. Lynn Cravens
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Mitchell
Mr. John S. L. Morgan &
Ms. Linda A. Carroll
Dr. & Mrs. William Offutt IV
Mr. & Mrs. Brent Rice
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Riddle
Mr. Charles W. Stewart
Conservationists
Mr. John Barlow
Ms. Vickie Batzka
Mr. & Mrs. John Berry
Dr. & Mrs. Glenn S. Bromagen
Mr. & Mrs. William S. Chapman, Jr.
Ms. Mary Woodford Clay
Cornelia W. Bonnie Revocable Trust
Dean Dorton Allen Ford Charitable
Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Lois DeSimone
Mr. Josh Ederington &
Ms. Jenny Minier
Dr. W. D. Fishback, Jr.
Ms. Holiday K. Glenn
Ms. Hutchi Hancock
Mr. & Mrs. Neil Howard
Dr. & Mrs. Stephen G. Jackson
Ms. Katie Kaufman &
Mr. Will Coffman
Mrs. Jo W. Leone
The Lane Charitable Foundation at
Blue Grass Community Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Robert V. May
Mr. Tim McMurry
Mr. & Mrs. Barry Mitchell
Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Nicol
Mr. Daniel Prater
Mr. & Mrs. H. Graddy Prewitt
Mr. Richard Rawdon
Mr. & Mrs. Edward K. Roggenkamp
Mr. Craig E. Royce
Sir Barton Place, LLC
Mr. & Mrs. John Smithwick
Preservationists
Anonymous
Mr. James Archambeault
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Haley Asbury
Mr. & Mrs. Terry Atwood
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Barnett
Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Barry
Mr. Perry M. Bentley
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Biederman
Mr. & Mrs. Edward L. Bowen
Ms. Beverly Bower
Mr. Jason Bradley
Mrs. Katherine Brewer
Mr. & Mrs. James Blake Brickman
Dr. Stuart Brown II
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur J. Bryson
Ms. Martha H. Buckner
The Bulleit Family Foundation at
Blue Grass Community Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Barry Butzer
Mr. John B. Carter &
Ms. Megan McNamer
Mr. & Mrs. Tony Chamblin
Mr. & Mrs. C. A. Coleman, Jr.
Mr. Leon J. Creek
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Curlin, Jr.
Ms. Laura D’Angelo
Ms. Rebecca Ann Davis
Ms. Martha DeReamer
Ms. Chelsea Dickson
Ms. Donna Gene Dixon
Drs. Claire & Rolf Embertson
Ms. Meredith Page Etchison
Ms. Carol Fening
Dr. & Mrs. Jerold N. Friesen
Ms. Lorraine Garkovich
Dr. & Mrs. James G. Gay
Mr. Ambrose W. Givens
Mr. & Mrs. Charles E. Gorton
Mr. & Mrs. Guy Graves
Ms. Nina Hahn
Ms. Whitney Hall
Ms. Phyllis R. Hasbrouck
Mr. & Mrs. Nathanial Henton
Ms. Susan Hill
Mr. William R. Hilliard, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Huber
The Honorables Lewis Paisley &
Sheila Isaac
Mr. & Mrs. Eric Ivanovich
Ms. Judy Keitz
Ms. Melissa Kirtley &
Mr. W. Grady Walter II
Mr. Ryan Lawson
Ms. Roberta Leckbee
Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Luallen
Mr. & Mrs. William Lubawy
Ms. Joan P. Mayer
Ms. Betty B. Meyer
Mr. & Mrs. John Paul Miller
Mr. & Mrs. James W. Noel, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Jacob D. Owens
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Parker
Dr. & Mrs. David C. Parrish III
Mr. & Mrs. A. Griggs Powell
Ms. Helen Powell
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Pride
Mr. & Mrs. Dermot Quinn
Ms. Katherine Redmond
Mr. & Mrs. Nelson D. Rodes, Jr.
Ms. Allaire Ryan
Mr. William M. Sanders
Mr. & Mrs. John C. Sawyer
Mr. Horst Schach
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Steen
Dr. & Mrs. John Stewart
Mr. & Mrs. Danny Stiles
Mr. Michael Stough
Mrs. Nancy Graves Talbott
Dr. & Mrs. Theodore R. Tauchert
Mr. & Mrs. Bosworth Todd
Mr. Billy Franklin Van Pelt II
Mr. Carl Werner
Mr. & Mrs. Sidney White
Mr. Michael Wilson
Ms. Jeanne R. Woodberry
Ms. Julie Young
Champions
Dr. & Mrs. Joe F. Arterberry
Ms. Joan B. Austin
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ball
Ms. Anne E. Bolton
Mr. James Bush & Mrs. Kelly Telech
Mr. Clyde Carpenter
Ms. Nancy Carpenter
Mr. John R. Clark
Dr. & Mrs. H. Steve Conboy
Dr. & Mrs. G. Nelson Copeland
Ms. Linda Dempsey
Mr. & Mrs. George A. Duncan
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Eblen
Dr. & Mrs. Edward H. Fallon
Mr. & Mrs. Michael C. Friesen
Ms. Lucy Gardner
Ms. Teresa Gevedon
Mr. Colin Goggin
Mr. Jonathan Golding
Ms. Mary Allen Greathouse
Mr. Seth Walker Hancock, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Ren Hankla
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony R. Holmes
Ms. Mari Ann Huber
ID+A
Ms. Elizabeth A. Knapp
Ms. Janice Kuperstein
Ms. Zee Faulkner Kurfees
Ms. Anne Lubbers
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne G. Lyster III
Mr. & Mrs. David Marye
Mr. & Mrs. A. L. Meyer
Dr. & Mrs. J. Preston Miles
10 | BluegrassConservancy.org

support. It’s because of you
open space in our community are protected.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Milward
Ms. Kelsey Nicholson
Padgett Construction, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. R. Glen Payne
Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Reed
Mr. Layton L. Register
Ms. Louise C. Robinson
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel B. Rowland
Ms. Chris Schimmoeller &
Mr. Joel Dufour
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Simon
Mr. Matt Simpson
Dr. & Mrs. John R. Van Nagell, Jr.
Ms. Ainsley Wagoner
Associates
Ms. Patsy Lee Anderson &
Mr. Danny Lay
Ms. Katie Coulter
Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin P. Hicks
Mr. James E. Kemp
Mr. Preston Lacy
Mr. Ben Miles
Mr. & Mrs. Irwin Pickett
Mr. Patrick Robinson
Ms. Katherine Stephens
Mr. Jeffrey Watts
Stewardship Fund
Contributors
Dr. & Mrs. John C. Caton
Mr. & Mrs. Rudolf B. Clay
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Daugherty
Ms. Marijo Foster
Mr. & Mrs. Darrell Gabhart
Mr. & Mrs. Russell Gray
Hinkle Brothers, LLC
The Honorable Paul F. Isaacs &
Mrs. Isaacs
Capt. & Mrs. Richard E. Kane
Mr. & Mrs. James W. Kane
Ms. Martha McConnell
Mr. & Mrs. John Penn
Mr. J. R. Wilson, Jr.
In-Kind Donors
Bobby Shiflet
Cross Gate Gallery
Headley-Whitney Museum
Keeneland Foundation
Shaker Village
W Design
Wilder Productions
In-Honor of
Helen Alexander
from
Mr. & Mrs. Edward L. Bowen
Ms. Donna Gene Dixon
Mrs. Helen K. Groves
Helen Alexander & Boo Hardy
from
Mrs. Lori Kirk-Wagner
Lendy Brown
from
Mr. Layton Register
Mr. & Mrs. Luke Hanks
from
Mr. & Mrs. Matt Emery
Anne & Buck Hinkle, Sally Brown
& Ted Thilman, Lucy & Jonathan
Lloyd, Mary Grace Hinkle,
Barbara & Henry Hinkle, Henry
Hinkle Jr. William Hinkle, Buckner
Hinkle, & Sally Hinkle
from
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hinkle
Libby & Brereton Jones
for the Woodford Coalition
from
Mr. & Mrs. Bosworth Todd
Betty Kenan
from
Ms. Clay Hancock
Woodford Forward Inc. &
Billy Van Pelt
from
Mr. & Mrs. Matt Emery
Billy Van Pelt
from
ID+A
In Memory of
Governor Ned Breathitt
from
Mr. Craig Royce
Blanche Babb Prater
from
Mr. Daniel Prater
Phillip R. Price
from
Ms. Deirdre Price
Billy Van Pelt
from
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Jones
These gifts were received
between June 1, 2015 and
May 31, 2016. We sincerely
apologize for any errors or
omissions. Please contact
Alison if you have any
corrections. Thank you.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Ben “Cash” Kaufmann
on Planned Giving
There are many ways for
you to accomplish the goals
that will form a lasting legacy.
The Conservancy has an
endowment, which may be
referred to as an enduring gift.
In addition, through planned
giving, I intend to leave a
lasting imprint on the future
of farmland and open spaces
for our country, and I hope
that you will too.
Janet Zusman and Ben Kaufmann
I have personally donated a conservation easement on my 125 acre
farm in Clark County, which includes a new barn and a residence, to
the Conservancy. In addition to my annual financial contributions,
I have named Bluegrass Conservancy in my Will. This will help the
Conservancy continue their work after my wife, Janet, and I pass on
to the big sky.
You probably already know that conservation easements are made
in perpetuity. This means Bluegrass Conservancy must also remain in
perpetuity and that of course takes money. Planned giving is a way to
ensure that the stewardship of these easements and enforcement of
their terms continues into the future.
In making a planned gift to Bluegrass Conservancy, you should
consult with your tax advisor, but there are many ways of giving, go
to BluegrassConservancy.com to read Ben’s letter in its entirety as
well as a full listing of ways to make a planned gift.
11

Bluegrass spotlights
Elkhorn Creek as Classroom!
I
n order to get kids interested in land protection, we devised some summer
programs that let them splash around a little while making a big difference.
Here, Katie McKone, an Environmental Biologist Consultant
with the Kentucky Division of Water, who led a group of
about 20 kids on a Crawdad Hunt and Creek Exploration at
BGC-protected Kenan Farm in Fayette County, talks about
why getting kids involved and out in nature is important.
Kentucky has one of the most unique freshwater systems
in the country, and usually, we pass by these waterways
without much thought. But when you get kids in the creek
and start flipping rocks or jabbing vegetation and show
them just how much life there is in our waterways, there
is this moment of excitement, and it’s that excitement and
experience that we need our young people to have if
we hope to protect our freshwater resources.
Clean water is a resource that
we cannot live without, from cleaning and cooking our food,
bathing, drinking, and recreating on a hot summer’s day, there
is little about our lives that doesn’t depend upon clean water.
How we use the land around us is one of the best ways to
understand how we affect the water around us. We all live
in a watershed, meaning, all land that we use for our daily
activities drains water to a local creek, stream, or river.
Any litter we throw on the ground, any oil that leaks from
our cars, or any pet waste we don’t pick up eventually will
runoff the landscape and end up in our water. Some of
the simplest activities we do can go a long way to protect
Kentucky’s waterways.
Creek Clean-Up
Thank you to all who came out to help us beautify
Elkhorn Creek on two BGC-protected properties
this summer.
We returned to Riddle Farm in Scott County for the third
year running. We also added Kenan Farm in Fayette County
to our creek cleaning efforts this year. An extra special thank
you to Bluegrass Greensource for their partnership and
guidance of these clean-ups. Tires, metal scraps, cans and
bottles, trash, and even an old police siren were among
the collections from our joined team’s work.
Would you like to
partner or volunteer with us?
Stay in the know and up to date on all of Bluegrass
Conservancy’s programs, events, and happenings by
signing up on our website to receive our eNews.
Our programs are free thanks to our partners and supporters,
and the welcoming families who open up their land for
these fun, family-friendly opportunities to get outside and
connect with our #beautifulbluegrass! Lead grant funding
for this year’s community programs is kindly provided by
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky in Georgetown.
Above, children at Good Shepherd Day School in Lexington,
learning about Monarch life cycle and habitat.
12 | BluegrassConservancy.org
Ellyn Anthony
Devon Armstrong
Marsha & Walter Bloxsom
Bluegrass Greensource
Lila, Chaz, & Charlie Boden
Alex Braxton
Nancy Braxton
Phil Braxton
Roberta Braxton
Ava, Ben, Liam, & Luke Fallon
Ron Gruzesky
Sandy Gruzesky
Faye & Ren Hankla
Mary Pat & Scott Hankla
Betty & Jim Kenan
Kentucky Division of Water
Katie McKone
Helen Rentch
Laura & Bob Riddle
Shaker Village
Jason Smither
Henry Watson
Matt White
Danny Woolums

© James Archambeault.
PARNTER SPOTLIGHT
Hold the line to protect our quality of life
Every five years Lexington considers whether to expand or
contract the Urban Service Boundary. Bluegrass Conservancy
asked Fayette Alliance’s new Executive Director, Susan Spekert, to
share her thoughts on Lexington’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan.
Fayette County has a long history of innovative land-use planning. In 1958,
Lexington was the first community in the nation to create an Urban Service
Boundary (“USB”), which is a growth boundary that limits development into
rural areas. Importantly, the USB serves twin purposes—it preserves our
irreplaceable farmland, while directing development and investment inside
our urban core.
The Plan will be updated in
2018, but the revision process
is underway now. The threat
of expansion looms large. For
Lexington to realize its great
potential, we must diligently
advocate to hold the line and
continue on the current path.
We must continue to focus
development and re-development
efforts inside our city so as to
improve the quality of life of all
our citizens.
The benefits of this growth strategy are readily apparent. Lexington is coming to
life in ways never before experienced, and our agricultural industries continue
to thrive and grow. The balance between our rural and urban areas helps create
a quality of life that is essential to our economic development and cultural
identity. It is a precarious balance, which we must strive to maintain.
By holding the line, we can ensure economic growth inside the USB as well as
outside. Our agricultural industries are economic engines that rely on a finite and
fragile factory floor—our prime soils. Any sound growth strategy must manage
and maximize this unique asset. We simply cannot afford to do otherwise.
Holding the line presents Lexington with a great opportunity to be the model
for sustainable growth by continuing to create a vibrant city that is balanced
with and connected to our productive Bluegrass farmland.
Susan Speckert
Executive Director for Fayette Alliance
For more information, or to get involved, check out FayetteAlliance.com
BOARD SPOTLIGHT
BGC welcomes
new board member!
Peek Garlington has recently joined the
Bluegrass Conservancy Board of Directors.
Peek is a Founding Partner and Senior
Investment Advisor of Edge Capital.
A Georgia native, Peek is an avid
outdoorsman and is passionate about
fly-fishing. Peek is also an active water
fowler, wing shooter, and bow hunter.
While new to the board, Peek, and his
wife, Jennie, are longtime supporters
of Bluegrass Conservancy as well as
wildlife and land conservation efforts
here in the Bluegrass region and
throughout the country. Peek and Jennie
live in Lexington with their six children.
“Jennie and I both want to
expand the land conservation
efforts in Kentucky and protect
our beautiful State for our
children and all future
generations.” – Peek Garlington
Peek Garlington (on right) with his family.
13

Annual Farmland Conservat
Record breaking year!
We are thrilled to share that, with the help of so many, our 16 th Annual Auction, held
this past April at Fasig-Tipton, was our most successful yet — raising an overall total of
$230,000!
Jodie Vella-Gregory of Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., Chelsea Dickson of
Cass Dickson, and Allaire Ryan..
Catherine Kenneally and Laura Ladd of Cross Gate Gallery,
and Valerie Schirmer of Three Toads Farm.
© Connie Jo Miller.
Hunter Schadler and Katherine Wheeler help
to sign guests in.
Auction item: Yoga in the Bluegrass at Bubba Sue’s Barn
— July 2016
14 | BluegrassConservancy.org

ion Celebration & Auction
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
As a community-supported land trust, our conservation work
relies on the support of our Annual Auction’s sponsors
and donors:
Auction item: Three Toads Farm Field to Vase
Private Workshop — September 2016
Bur Oak, 2016 Lead Sponsor
Godolphin
Chinquapin Oak
Airdrie Stud
Antony & Angela Beck of Gainesway Farm
Farm Credit Mid-America
Give Into The Groove
Kenan Farm
Middlebrook Farm
Blue Ash
Lendy & Darrell Brown
Dean Dorton
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Kentucky Bank
Matthew Carter Interiors
UK HealthCare
Black Walnut
Abercrombie Foundation
Linda & Jerry Bruckheimer
Cambus-Kenneth Farm
Central Kentucky Ag Credit
Clay Ingels Company
Columbia Gas of Kentucky
Graviss McDonald’s Restaurants,
Joe & Debbie Graviss
McBrayer Law Firm
Judy & John Paul Miller
Jane Allen Offutt of Offutt Realty
Offutt-Cole Farm
Republic Bank
Shagbark Hickory
Bluegrass Valuation Group, LLC
Breeders’ Cup Ltd.
Terrell & Mark Cheney
Paul Ferrell for Cambridge Insurance
Sue & Richard Masson of
Golden Age Farm
Nicholson Insurance Agency
R. Shackelford Parrish
James D. Rouse & Sharon B. Rouse
Steve South & Sue Van Patten
Billy Van Pelt Consulting Government
Relations
Mrs. John D. Stewart
In-Kind
Canvas event Furniture & Bar Rental
Henkel Denmark
Maker’s Mark
Auctioneer
Field Ladd of Cross Gate Gallery
Host
Fasig-Tipton
Live Auction Item Donors
Helen Alexander
Ashford Stud of Coolmore America
Boo Hardy
Henkel Denmark
Betty & Jim Kenan
Chet Lott
Maker’s Mark
Lolly & Bill Martin
Brenda & Brent Rice
Rob Samuels
Westminster Kennel Club
2016 Auction Committee
Helen Alexander
Lendy Brown
Boo Hardy
Alex Hancock
Linda Helton
Betty Kenan
Isabel Ladd
Natalie Lyster
Lolly Martin
Connie Jo Miller
Maegan Nicholson
Dean Roethemeier
Mary Catherine White
Volunteers
Shea Davidson
Jordan Dorough
Laura Eaves
Sara Gooden
Katie Martin
Hunter Schadler
Katherine Wheeler
Nicole Zub
Are you looking for a way to make a local impact?
The 17 th Annual Farmland Conservation Celebration and Auction is a wonderful
way to make a lasting difference here in the Bluegrass. Contact Laura to talk about
Business & Individual Sponsorships, Live & Silent Auction Item Donations, and
In-Kind Business Services at lmiller@bluegrassconservancy.org or (859) 255-4552.
15

Dudley Square
380 S. Mill Street
Suite 205
Lexington, KY 40508-2560
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lexington, KY
Permit No. 1478
BluegrassConservancy.org
859-255-4552
facebook.com/bluegrassconservancy
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Conservation Snapshot
Our Key Land Values
General Agriculture
Farming in the Bluegrass is a big deal.
Across our state we have over 77,000 farms
and 135 Kentucky Farmers Markets, generating
more than $5 billion in annual revenue — with a lion’s share
of these statistics * happening throughout the Bluegrass
region. It only takes one trip to your local Farmers Market
to taste the difference that will keep you coming back for
more of that homegrown Bluegrass goodness.
*NASS and USDA
Cattle
Kentucky is the 8 th largest cattle-producing
state in the U.S., and the largest one East
of the Mississippi River. In addition to
cattle raised for beef, Kentucky has 78,000 milking cows
that produce approximately 135 million gallons of milk
each year. * With popular slogans asking, “Where’s the
beef?” and letting us know, “milk, it does a body good,” it
is easy to understand how the cattle industry contributes
millions of dollars to Kentucky’s economy each year.
*Fayette Alliance
Habitat
Every plant and animal requires a certain
environment, unique to their needs.
Whether it’s in woodlands, tall grasses, or
creeks, rivers, and streams, the environment required for
our local wildlife to thrive and reproduce is called their
habitat. When habitats are broken up, plant and animal
populations suffer. When habitats are preserved, we are
ensuring our ability to fish, hunt, and enjoy the natural
environment and local plants and animals for years to come.
Equine
The Horse Capital of the World. It’s a
distinction we wear with pride here in the
Bluegrass. Imagine a spring or fall without
hearing the call to post from Keeneland’s grandstand. Or,
envision a drive through the countryside without seeing
the majestic horse farms that serve as the ambassadors
for our idyllic Bluegrass landscape. As Conservancy
board member, Brutus Clay, succinctly points out, “The
Bluegrass region is world renowned for its rolling hills and
horses. As a community, we must celebrate and protect
what differentiates us from the rest of the world.”
Historic
The Bluegrass region is steeped in rich
history that defines the character of this
area. From the Civil War battlefields to the
origins of the equine industry, much of that history lies in
farmland that has been passed down and cared for within
families for generations. Our region’s heritage is protected
and traditions are honored when we preserve these
historic farms and structures for future generations.
Fresh Water
Protecting the waterways of the Bluegrass
region equates to a healthier future for
us all. Clean creeks, streams, and rivers are
some of our most important and irreplaceable assets,
contributing to our quality of life here in Central Kentucky.
Protecting these waterways benefits residents, visitors,
and neighbors of the Bluegrass.