Deadline to Save Orchard Extended (NH)

Concord, New Hampshire: Today, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced an extension on its deadline for purchasing the 176-acre Sunnycrest apple orchard in Concord. The coalition working to save the property will now have until June 30, 2001, to reach their $1.2 million fundraising goal. TPL’s original agreement to purchase the Concord orchard from Sunnycrest Farms, Inc. expired on March 31, 2001. However, in order to provide more time for the community-driven fundraising effort, the property’s owners have agreed to extend the deadline.

“We are very grateful to the O’Connors and the Hicks, owners of Sunnycrest Farms, Inc., for agreeing to extend our agreement to buy the orchard,” said Julie Iffland, TPL project manager. “They continue to show their support for the project and the community in their willingness to work with us through this process. Due to adjustments in the scheduling of state and federal grant awards, more time was needed to complete fundraising efforts for the project than we originally anticipated. Based on the strong support we have received so far from the community, we are very confident that we will raise the funds needed within the new timeframe.” The landowners and TPL have made arrangements with the farm’s manager, Rob Laroque, to allow him to continue the orchard operations while the coalition raises the remaining funds.

“Applications have been submitted to the federal Farmland Protection Program, and the state’s new Land and Community Heritage Investment Program on behalf of the Sunnycrest project. In both cases, decisions on the grants will be made in June,” explained Shireen Tilley, a member of the citizens group Friends of the Orchard. “Now that those applications have been submitted, we will refocus our energies on our private fundraising efforts in case either of the public grants are less than expected.” To date, the coalition has raised nearly $300,000 in private gifts and pledges and $150,000 from the City of Concord.

“I am pleased to hear that Sunnycrest Farms, Inc., and the Trust for Public Land have agreed upon an extended deadline to complete the Sunnycrest orchard fundraising campaign,” said Senator Judd Gregg. “The orchard has long been an integral part of New Hampshire’s agricultural heritage and beauty, and saving it has become a community-wide priority. This extension is critical to ensuring future generations will be able to enjoy this important natural resource. I would again like to recognize the commitment that TPL has demonstrated and wish them success in reaching their fundraising targets.”

“Productive farmland and working farms are disappearing at a rapid rate in New Hampshire,” said Second District Congressman Charles Bass. “I applaud the efforts of the Trust for Public Land to assure that Sunnycrest orchard remains an economically viable component of central New Hampshire. Furthermore, I am happy to play a small role in their effort to protect the orchard, which will also help maintain the quality of life for which New Hampshire is famous.”

“Sunnycrest is a strong project and should be very competitive in both the federal and state grant processes,” said Tom Masland, chairman of the Concord Conservation Trust. “But with so much at stake, we don’t want to leave anything to chance. We are urging donors to give as generously as they can to ensure the success of this project. The Concord Conservation Trust will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, April 8 at 4:00 pm at Sunnycrest and will offer a tour of the orchard and an update on the project. We invite anyone concerned with the future of this land to join us.”

Last fall, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) reached an agreement to purchase Sunnycrest orchard on Carter Hill Road from its current owner, Sunnycrest Farms, Inc. Now TPL is working with the Friends of the Orchard and the Concord Conservation Trust to raise $1.2 million by June 30, 2001, to conserve the orchard property, replace farm equipment that is not included in the sale, ensure public access to the property, and cover costs associated with the project.

With spectacular views of Mount Moosilauke and Mount Cardigan, 50 rolling acres of mature fruit trees, a thriving farmstand, and a long history, Sunnycrest Orchard is an important community meeting place that offers Concord residents a chance to connect with the area’s agricultural heritage. In addition, the orchard is an important educational and recreational resource. More than 2,000 school children visit the orchard annually on field trips, and the property’s extensive system of hiking and cross-country skiing trails is enjoyed by local residents all year long. The coalition working to save the property plans to place a conservation and public access easement over the orchard that will prohibit development permanently, and then sell the property to a private buyer for continued agricultural use.

Contributions to the Campaign to Save Sunnycrest Orchard are tax-deductible and can be sent to the Friends of the Orchard, 73 Carter Hill Road, Concord, NH 03301. For more information about making anonymous gifts, or gifts of stock and securities, please contact Anne Truslow at the Trust for Public Land, (207) 772-7424 x1.

The Trust for Public Land is a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting land for people to enjoy as parks and open space. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 1.2 million acres nationwide, including nearly 10,000 acres in New Hampshire. The Wall Street Journal’s Smart Money Magazine recently named TPL the nation’s most efficient large conservation charity, based on the percentage of funds dedicated to programs. For more information, visit www.tpl.org

For more information, please contact:

Erin Rowland, Public Affairs Manager, The Trust for Public Land (617) 367-6200 x321

Julie Iffland, Project Manager, The Trust for Public Land (802) 223-1373 x12

Concord, New Hampshire: Today, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced an extension on its deadline for purchasing the 176-acre Sunnycrest apple orchard in Concord. The coalition working to save the property will now have until June 30, 2001, to reach their $1.2 million fundraising goal. TPL’s original agreement to purchase the Concord orchard from Sunnycrest Farms, Inc. expired on March 31, 2001. However, in order to provide more time for the community-driven fundraising effort, the property’s owners have agreed to extend the deadline.

“We are very grateful to the O’Connors and the Hicks, owners of Sunnycrest Farms, Inc., for agreeing to extend our agreement to buy the orchard,” said Julie Iffland, TPL project manager. “They continue to show their support for the project and the community in their willingness to work with us through this process. Due to adjustments in the scheduling of state and federal grant awards, more time was needed to complete fundraising efforts for the project than we originally anticipated. Based on the strong support we have received so far from the community, we are very confident that we will raise the funds needed within the new timeframe.” The landowners and TPL have made arrangements with the farm’s manager, Rob Laroque, to allow him to continue the orchard operations while the coalition raises the remaining funds.

“Applications have been submitted to the federal Farmland Protection Program, and the state’s new Land and Community Heritage Investment Program on behalf of the Sunnycrest project. In both cases, decisions on the grants will be made in June,” explained Shireen Tilley, a member of the citizens group Friends of the Orchard. “Now that those applications have been submitted, we will refocus our energies on our private fundraising efforts in case either of the public grants are less than expected.” To date, the coalition has raised nearly $300,000 in private gifts and pledges and $150,000 from the City of Concord.

“I am pleased to hear that Sunnycrest Farms, Inc., and the Trust for Public Land have agreed upon an extended deadline to complete the Sunnycrest orchard fundraising campaign,” said Senator Judd Gregg. “The orchard has long been an integral part of New Hampshire’s agricultural heritage and beauty, and saving it has become a community-wide priority. This extension is critical to ensuring future generations will be able to enjoy this important natural resource. I would again like to recognize the commitment that TPL has demonstrated and wish them success in reaching their fundraising targets.”

“Productive farmland and working farms are disappearing at a rapid rate in New Hampshire,” said Second District Congressman Charles Bass. “I applaud the efforts of the Trust for Public Land to assure that Sunnycrest orchard remains an economically viable component of central New Hampshire. Furthermore, I am happy to play a small role in their effort to protect the orchard, which will also help maintain the quality of life for which New Hampshire is famous.”

“Sunnycrest is a strong project and should be very competitive in both the federal and state grant processes,” said Tom Masland, chairman of the Concord Conservation Trust. “But with so much at stake, we don’t want to leave anything to chance. We are urging donors to give as generously as they can to ensure the success of this project. The Concord Conservation Trust will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, April 8 at 4:00 pm at Sunnycrest and will offer a tour of the orchard and an update on the project. We invite anyone concerned with the future of this land to join us.”

Last fall, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) reached an agreement to purchase Sunnycrest orchard on Carter Hill Road from its current owner, Sunnycrest Farms, Inc. Now TPL is working with the Friends of the Orchard and the Concord Conservation Trust to raise $1.2 million by June 30, 2001, to conserve the orchard property, replace farm equipment that is not included in the sale, ensure public access to the property, and cover costs associated with the project.

With spectacular views of Mount Moosilauke and Mount Cardigan, 50 rolling acres of mature fruit trees, a thriving farmstand, and a long history, Sunnycrest Orchard is an important community meeting place that offers Concord residents a chance to connect with the area’s agricultural heritage. In addition, the orchard is an important educational and recreational resource. More than 2,000 school children visit the orchard annually on field trips, and the property’s extensive system of hiking and cross-country skiing trails is enjoyed by local residents all year long. The coalition working to save the property plans to place a conservation and public access easement over the orchard that will prohibit development permanently, and then sell the property to a private buyer for continued agricultural use.

Contributions to the Campaign to Save Sunnycrest Orchard are tax-deductible and can be sent to the Friends of the Orchard, 73 Carter Hill Road, Concord, NH 03301. For more information about making anonymous gifts, or gifts of stock and securities, please contact Anne Truslow at the Trust for Public Land, (207) 772-7424 x1.

The Trust for Public Land is a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting land for people to enjoy as parks and open space. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 1.2 million acres nationwide, including nearly 10,000 acres in New Hampshire. The Wall Street Journal’s Smart Money Magazine recently named TPL the nation’s most efficient large conservation charity, based on the percentage of funds dedicated to programs. For more information, visit www.tpl.org.