February 19, 2009

editorial

Celebrate, then keep working

Whitehall Farm almost didn’t get saved. When the beloved green space on the town’s northern border suddenly went up for sale 10 years go, people despaired. What could they do? What could anyone do, in the face of the relentless development that marched across this country, grabbing pastures and fields and leaving strip malls behind? The cost of preserving land was too high, the forces of development too organized. In most towns, people did nothing.

I remember the turning point. Someone wrote to this paper, suggesting that perhaps, just perhaps, if people came together, they could save Whitehall Farm. What if every individual and family donated as much as they could, if every villager gave their time and enthusiasm? The notion seemed crazy, at first. But then people jumped in. They dug deeply into their pockets, held garage sales, asked for donations. Villagers mobilized their considerable energy and expertise. And together, they did it.

Of course, the village had other assets besides an activist spirit. Tecumseh Land Trust included smart people committed to farmland preservation, people like Bob Huston, Julia Cady and Al Denman. Village Council gave most of its $385,000 green belt fund to the cause. And Dave and Sharen Neuhardt, with the help of the village-raised funds, took a huge financial risk to purchase the farm.

The preservation of Whitehall Farm is a Yellow Springs triumph. It’s an inspiring story of activism, vision, hope and audacity. It is something to celebrate. This weekend, villagers have an opportunity to do so, with a series of events to honor the 10th anniversary of the Whitehall effort.

This event is also an opportunity to remember there’s still much to be done. While Whitehall Farm is protected, most of the Jacoby green belt on our town’s western edge is not. The best way to honor this effort is to complete the work that Whitehall began.

—Diane Chiddister