John Hartman and Kay Richey. Donation of Conservation Easement.
John Hartman and Kay Richey chose a “simpler” life for themselves and their son, Emmanuel. A life filled with hard work, a respect for the land and its resources, and traditional family values. Together on their Dan River farm, they produce molasses, organic vegetables for local restaurants and farmers markets and raise rabbits, goats, and chickens. Their chosen lifestyle includes using draft horses to work the land, a hand pump for water, no electricity, and simple sticks as toys for the imagination. As PLC began focusing attention on protecting the Dan River Watershed, it came as no surprise that John and Kay willingly stepped forward to donate the first riparian easement along the Dan River on their farm.
PLC completed the protection of this 300-foot wide riparian easement in 2003. As part of the easement area was used for pastureland, the easement contains two zones. The first zone is 50-feet in width, adjacent to the Dan River and is essentially a no-touch area. The second zone which is 250 feet in width allows for limited use of the land such as pastureland provided that approved management plans requiring the implementation of best management practices that safeguard water quality are followed.
Project funding provided by landowner and NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
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