Mary is the third generation of Faculaks to own the farm, known as Lakeview Ranch, which was originally settled by her grandparents. Her grandfather, Charles, a finish carpenter from Chicago, instilled traditional farming values in his family as they raised crops and stock. Her grandmother (and namesake, Mary Helen) used to sell cut flowers and eggs along the highway. When Mary’s parents took over the farm, they began with dairy farming and switched to beef cattle in 1968. Today,
Mary keeps horses and continues to farm crops. She
also lovingly maintains and restores the sheds and barns associated with the farm, keeping alive the beauty and history that only old buildings offer. “Protecting these buildings and this land has become my passion,” Mary said. “All along, there has been a sense of peace and calm. There was never a question or a doubt.”

Ty Ratliff of the Conservancy’s land protection staff believes all the stars lined up to make this project happen. “Several things occurred that pointed us to work with Mary,” Ratliff said. “She was the ideal partner in this process, extremely knowledgeable and patient. Her vision for her land was clear: to keep it in her family and ensure its protection, instead of selling it for subdivision.” Ratliff also noted that the project was made
possible with a grant from the federal Farmland and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) as well as foundation grants given specifically to the protection of US-31 parcels.

Jim Marshall of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and FRPP described the Faculak parcel, with its high-quality soils and scenic viewsheds, as a perfect match for their program. Marshall also commended the partnership – the program donors, the federal program, Mary Faculak, and the Conservancy – who worked diligently to make the shared goal become a reality. “I have a favorite Native American quote that applies perfectly to this
situation,” Marshall said. The quote reads “Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.”

Indeed, the Faculak legacy is a gift to all children of the future.

This stretch of US-31 has been protected by Mary Faculak (credit: Phil Ohmer)