President's Report

President’s Report
For the period July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008
 
Valley Falls Farm
As stewards of Valley Falls Farm, we have continued our ambitious mission to preserve and maintain the land and its buildings. Again, we can report progress but our long-range goals are far from being realized. These are (1) to continue renovation of the outbuildings and establish a farm museum in the stable (2) to build a volunteer support system, and (3) to secure long-term sustainable funding to maintain the property and hire an Executive Director to direct the organization and oversee management of the property.
 
Work on the stable, the largest and most impressive of the farm buildings, continued with repairs made to the east end (which formerly housed bees) and scraping, priming and painting the east and west side of the building. An historic sign noting “Valley Falls Farm” was installed on the property. It was recreated in the same format as the sign that had been hung by the Charles Beach family in the 1915-1958 era of the farm. A historic marker was also placed on the farmhouse noting the original owner of the property, Anson Lyman. In this fiscal year we also began planning for a major fundraising event, “Artists’ Day at the Farm” to be held in August, 2008. Results of that activity will be reported in the next Annual Report.

The grounds have been maintained, but attention needs to be focused on removal of invasives, cutting the large, dying maple tree (near the piggery) and on controlling erosion along the driveway leading to the stable, preferably by installing a low wall and plants to hold the soil in place. Further upgrades and window replacements are needed in the farmhouse.
 
Valley Falls Park
In pursuit of our mission to provide nature education, we continue to offer walks to observe birds, wildflowers, and mushrooms in Valley Falls Park. We still envision renovating the barn as an environmental center.

Improvements will be made to the Braille Nature Trail using grant funds we received from a DEP grant. The wood Braille signs will be replaced with metal signs, and the initial hillside section of the trail will be resurfaced with a solid surface such as cement to prevent further erosion.

In December we were saddened by the passing of an original founder of the Friends, Betty Tedford. Betty served many years on the Board of Directors and worked tirelessly to care for Valley Falls Park and Valley Falls Farm. The Tedford family graciously named our organization to receive memorial donations in Betty’s memory. Her thoughtful, calm and cheerful presence is missed, and her passing has left a hole in the fabric of our community.
We continue to be grateful to our members and contributors for support and encouragement of our efforts to protect and manage this lovely and historic part of Vernon.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Ginny Gingras, President