Harford Land Trust recently concluded Harford Harvest, our October 2020 initiative to raise funds for local land preservation and food pantries.

Harford Harvest highlighted the importance of farmland preservation and its role in protecting the productive land needed for a reliable and accessible local food network. More than one hundred community donors and sponsors came together to raise over $29,000 during the virtual campaign. 

“The spirit of giving is strong in Harford County,” said Executive Director Kristin Kirkwood. “Our land preservation work has continued without pause because of the community’s generosity in 2020.” 

Half of funds raised during Harford Harvest supported HLT’s ongoing efforts to preserve farmland and valuable open spaces throughout Harford County. The remaining half of Harford Harvest funds were donated to Harford Community Action Agency (HCAA) and Mason Dixon Community Services (MDCS) to help address immediate and expanded food needs in the community due to COVID-19. 

This winter, both HCAA and MDCS expect increased demand for their emergency food service programs. “Our mobile food pantry efforts have ramped up and we expect them to do so even more now that schools are back to 100% online,” said HCAA Executive Director, Pamela (PJ) Craig. “We'll be at feeding sites to meet parents who are obtaining meals for their kids.” 

“The number of people to whom we are distributing food at our Highland office has increased substantially,” Cindy Abbot, MDCS Executive Director echoed. “In October, during Harford Harvest, our numbers increased 88% compared to October 2019.  In September, the number increased over 100% compared to September 2019. The Board of Directors is very grateful to have been involved in Harford Harvest.”

Harford Harvest was made possible through the generous sponsorship and support of BGE, the Office of County Executive Barry Glassman, Klein’s Shop Rite, BGE, The Kelly Group, Watershed Environmental LLC, Jim and Sarah Morris, Chesapeake Bay Trust, GreenVest LLC, Foxborough Nursery, Jeffrey and Jo Tyson, Jones Junction, Dillon and Heather Yeung, Ecotone Inc, O’Neill Enterprises, APGFCU, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, Jarrettsville Federal, PNC Bank, Healthy Harford, Green Trust Alliance, Jarrettsville Federal, Harry and Eileen Webster, The Mill, Forest Hill Business Airport, Bartlett Tree Experts, Harford Financial Group, T.W. Ellis LLC, Weyrich Cronin & Sorra, Harford Bank, Heritage Financial Consultants, and Green Trust Alliance.

 Check out our Winter 2020 Newsletter! Learn more about our new Board of Director members, Belle Vue Farm project, Harford Harvest, and other exciting updates.

The need for preserved land is greater than ever. Be it a beautiful hiking trail or field ready for harvest - 2020 reminds us of all the ways the land nourishes us. The Harford Land Trust is committed more than ever to preserve the land that supports our communities. 

HLT’s fundraising efforts have been severely disrupted in 2020 with all in-person events cancelled, including our major fundraiser, the October Harvest Moon Dinner & Auction.

Through Harford Harvest, Harford Land Trust recognizes that the protection of local farmland is also the protection of essential local food networks. For this reason, half (50%) of all Harford Harvest proceeds will be distributed to over 100 Harford County food pantries through our partnership with the Harford Community Action Agency (HCAA) and Mason-Dixon Community Services (MDCS) to meet the immediate and increased emergency food needs of families throughout Harford County.

“Early in the pandemic, we were alarmed by national food supply chain disruptions and the increase in local food insecurity,” said HLT Executive Director Kristin Kirkwood. “There has never been a more important time to increase our support for local farmers that provide us with a wealth of fresh, readily available food grown right here in Harford County.”

On September 24, representatives from Harford County Government, Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Harford Land Trust (HLT), and the Davis family gathered at the 347-acre Belle Vue Farm in Havre de Grace to transfer ownership to Harford County and permanently preserve the historic property.

Background

Located less than three miles from the centers of Havre de Grace and Aberdeen, Belle Vue Farm sits at the center of an area of land rich in natural and cultural resources known as Oakington Peninsula. The Belle Vue acquisition completes the longstanding goal of permanently preserving the only undeveloped area of privately owned Chesapeake Bay shoreline in Harford County. The property is contiguous to Swan Harbor Farm and Old Bay Farm to the north and Eleanor and Millard Tydings Park (also known as Oakington Farm) to the south. Together, these four properties total 1,250 acres of preserved land, 90% of which is now public parkland.