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The Protection of Two Historic Farms Kicks Off Southeast Region Project Area
Two historically significant Georgetown area farms, bordering Hamilton and Meigs counties and along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, will be conserved for future generations through conservation easements. The Circle V Farm of Greg Vital and Deerstone Farm of David and Kathy Gooch represent more than 220 acres of open farm, forest and grassland in an area that is rapidly facing increased residential and commercial development. These two farms will serve as cornerstones of an effort to conserve open land in the growing corridor along Highway 60. David Gooch was prompted to engage The Land Trust after watching both the cities of Chattanooga and Cleveland undergo continual development, threatening the future of the land surrounding his 136-acre farm. Greg Vital is known as a leading advocate of the preservation of historic buildings in downtown Chattanooga, but he also wanted to protect his historic landscape of rolling farmland and rock walls in Georgetown. The two landowners had seen how conservation easements on adjoining properties had conserved the character of rural neighborhoods in Middle Tennessee, and were interested in creating a similar pocket of protected land in their area.
Greg and David share a vision of the future of their land; that their farms will forever provide the scenic vistas that are so much a part of this area in our state. The Land Trust is proud to partner with these men and their families to ensure that this area keeps its historic and agricultural nature.
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Vital explains, "As Chattanooga's growth moves northward signified by the lost of farmland to subdivisions, David and I want to lead by example - to show our neighbors and others in this region that we need to act now to preserve and protect our natural resources - and to make sure that the next generations can experience what's very special about this part of our region."
