THE HEADWATERS OF THE INLAND WATERWAYare being safeguarded through the protection of a 145-acre farm and a 30-acre preserve that lie on the periphery of Round Lake between Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
Two key tracts identified for protection within the Conservancy’s Harbor Springs Greenbelt Program have now been protected thanks to funds given specifically for projects in that region.
“Both of these projects were high priority “pieces” of the protection puzzle that has been the aim of the Greenbelt program,” said Executive Director Tom Bailey.
Changing Times
The story has become quite familiar. As dairy prices have fallen and equipment and grain prices have risen, it is a rare small farmer that can make dairy a viable business in Michigan today. Such was the case for Sam and Sharon Himebauch, second generation dairy farmers who were forced to rethink their operations and decided to completely drop out of dairy two years ago. Today, their nearly “in town” farm raises replacement cows that are sold to larger dairies downstate.
Still in transition to their new business, the Himebauchs recently took an extra step that has helped make it possible for them to continue farming. When approached with the opportunity to sell their development rights to the Conservancy, they soon realized this was a good solution. “We liked the fact that we could just sell the development rights and still keep the land private,” Sharon said.
Sam, whose family originally farmed just outside of Charlevoix, agreed. “All of my family’s old farm–some significant acreage–is now either covered with homes or plotted for development. I like knowing that we’re helping protect this corridor and slowing down sprawl,” Sam said.
“The proximity of the Himebauch farm makes it highly desirable for residential development,” said land protection specialist, Kieran Fleming. “Their land’s protection has a significant impact on both the scenic and natural resources of this region.”
Started Before My Time
Betty Trippe is quite a special person. Okay, admittedly those of us here at the Conservancy office probably have a biased opinion toward our gentle-spirited neighbor who walks her dog at the Round Lake Preserve, offers her volunteer time to many of our mailings, and brings goodies to the office!
One of the other things that makes her stand out is that she is a true northern Michigan native. Originally from the Brutus area, her parents later moved to Petoskey where the children were raised and her dad operated the Kuebler Service Station near Bay View for years.
“I’ve lived here long enough to see a lot of changes,” Betty said. She recalled how she and her brothers would play at the Tannery Woods, now part of the Petoskey State Park . Farming was the true love of Ed Kuebler, Betty’s father. When an opportunity came to purchase a large farm known as the Powell Farm, he took it. While the family didn’t live at the farm, they went there to enjoy the countryside; enjoy the simple things. “The simple things in life were so important to my dad,” Betty said. “He loved the land just the way it was and was a true conservationist before his time.”
Fast forward several decades and Betty lives on the edge of the old farm where she and her husband built a house and raised their three children. Betty inherited 30 acres of the farm from her parents and, recently, decided that it was time to do something to honor her father’s gift. Situated across the road from the Round Lake Preserve, Betty worked with the Conservancy to arrange for a significant bargain sale of the property, selling it at roughly 50% of its appraised value.
“Every person wants to go out of life doing something good,” Betty said. “This was started before my time. I like to think it will always be just like my dad wanted it.”
Betty’s property (see Kuebler-Trippe Preserve on above map) provides 2,000 feet of scenic frontage on Powell Road and is yards away from Round Lake , contributing to water quality and wildlife habitat for waterfowl, mink, muskrat, raccoon, bobcat, deer, and many songbirds.
