Jim and Toddy spent their careers immersed in the local farming community. Now, their cherished orchards will be farmland forever. Photos by Mark Smith Jim Nugent and Toddy Rieger are […]
Category Archives: Landowner Stories
Rove Winery Blends Family Tradition with Conservation
The Gallagher family have a vision for the future as they secure a Conservation Easement on their beloved vineyard. With roots stretching back generations, they are not just cultivating grapes […]
Kiessel Farms Preserved for Future Generations
From Christmas trees to cherries, the Kiessel brothers’ journey has created a farming legacy passed on to the next generation. Bill and Don Kiessel bought what is now Kiessel Farms […]
Multigenerational Nelson Farm Permanently Protected
At the tip of the peninsula, Gene and Kathy Garthe’s commitment to land conservation paves the way for continued sustainable agriculture and environmental preservation. Photos by Mark Smith Many of […]
Omena Heights Smith Orchards Permanently Protects 134 Acres
Omena Heights is a picturesque area nestled within Leelanau County, renowned for its natural beauty and panoramic vistas overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. The Smith Orchards are part of the idyllic […]
Parker Family Protects 153 Acres of Farmland
By: Brighid Driscoll More than 150 acres of Solon Township farmland was recently protected with a perpetual conservation easement. This project is possible thanks to Wes Parker, his siblings, the […]
Shimek Family Protects 232-acre, Fourth-Generation Farm
If you’ve driven around Leelanau, you’ve likely passed the Shimek farm. A quintessentially Leelanau picture, the farm stand, red barn, and silos at the bend of M-72 have inspired painters […]
Bahle’s Protect 109-Acre Family Farm
One doesn’t get far in the county before hearing the Bahle name. Whether seeing it on the family retail boutique or recently sold golf course, the Bahles have a long […]
A View From the Top
The Manitou Islands gaze at Leelanau like a pair of green eyes. Depending on where you are in the county, it’s possible to stare back at them. High up in […]
A Tale of Two Brothers
Ed Kiessel looks across a large, snowy swath of land and squints his eyes. The sun’s reflection off the ice-glazed snow is near blinding, but the view is worth fighting […]
