-For Immediate Release-

December 11, 2008

Genesee Land Trust Granted Conservation Easement of 167 Acres in Town of Walworth

Genesee Land Trust is pleased to announce that it recently closed on a conservation easement in the Town of Walworth that consists of 167 acres of extensive apple orchards.  The easement was granted to the local land preservation organization by David and Diane Wilbert, owners of the family farm. The purchase of the easement was funded by grants from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farmland Protection Program and the Federal Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Wilbert Farm is in close proximity to two other farms, also under the protection of the Genesee Land Trust with combined acreage of over 400.

Genesee Land Trust, founded in 1989, currently protects over 3100 acres in the Greater Rochester area. Gay Mills is executive director.

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Contact: Margaret Potter, Assistant Director – (585) 256-2130; info@geneseelandtrust.org

Contacts for press interviews:

Gay Mills, Executive Director:  (585) 256-2130

Town of Walworth Supervisor:  Bob Plant:   (315) 986-1400

Dave Wilbert, farmer: (315) 739-4433