What's happening to our farmland?

 “Each year you have to drive a little farther out to find it. Slowed by traffic, through tangled intersections, past rows of houses that seem to have sprouted from the field, finally, you can see the bountiful farmland. For the past two decades, we've paved over our farmland for roads, houses and malls. Wasteful land use puts America's farmland at risk, especially our most fertile and productive—our most valuable—farmland.”

From “Farming on the Edge Report - What's happening to our farmland?” published by American Farmland Trust

Mockingbird Hill consists of 60 acres of Open Space within the 88 acre subdivision

y 9 lots, 8 currently available with acreage from 1.9004 to 4.6767

y One lot has a pond

y Gently rolling rural countryside

y Private pond in Open Space  with dock, fire pit and picnic shelter on site.

y Pasture space for horses and/or other appropriate livestock

y Trail in woods and around open field

y Conservation practices and programs in place or being implemented

y Lot prices:

#1 — $195,000

#2 — $195,000

#3 — $195,000

#4 — $185,000

#5 — $220,000

#6 — $210,000

#7 — $195,000

#8 — $230,000

y Only minutes from beautiful historic Granville

What is a "Conservation Community"? By Judy Farris

As more and more people are becoming concerned about the disappearance of open land in our country, volumes are being written about that impact on our lives now and in the future.

Cropland, rangeland, woodland and wetland are disappearing at an alarming rate. People in urban and suburban life seek a place in the country, only to find that the bucolic existence of life on an agricultural zoned five (or more) acre "land yacht" is more than they bargained for. The term, "too big to mow and not enough to plow" is getting a lot of use lately.

Until recently, the only other way to get that environment of open space was in the "golf course community." Statistics report that the majority of people in these communities don’t even play golf.

Now, there has come a way to preserve our open land AND have that home in the country that so many people want; Because of recent visionary zoning in some rural townships, "Open Design Development" or "Conservation Subdivisions" (now being termed, “Conservation Communities”) allow a reduction in the amount of land required for a community house lot in an agriculturally zoned area IF the remainder of the land (collectively) is retained in "open space." (This "open space" may have varied descriptions and uses.)

Not your typical subdivision! Mockingbird Hill is one of a handful of such developments in our country to take advantage of this new awareness. Situated in McKean and Granville townships in Licking County, Ohio, with magnificent views in all directions, nine house lots are clustered at one end of the property. This arrangement leaves the integrity of the existing, ravined woodland and the open field undeveloped to housing. The total acreage is 88.3, out of which 27.5 acres are used for house lots, 2.9 ac. for road R/W and 3.8 ac. of open space "reserves." The remainder of 53.9 ac. (over 60%!) is under a Conservation Easement agreement with the Licking Land Trust and will remain open in perpetuity for the use of the residents and guests of Mockingbird Hill. About 30 ac. of that is in mature woods. There are 17 acres enrolled in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program with recent planting of hardwood tree seedlings and Warm Season Grasses (commonly referred to as “Prairie Grass.”)  A half acre pond lies next to the woods. A three acre area is under a natural selection forestation program.

Mockingbird Hill has opted for almost half the lot density (nine lots vs. seventeen lots.) that is allowed under this, and the other type of residential zoning in the agricultural district of these two townships. The reasons are somewhat varied, but have to do with a perceived "critical mass" by the developer/owner on this particular piece of land.

Simple in nature and rural by design, understated and unpretentious in architecture and landscaping, Mockingbird Hill fosters a sincere commitment to conservation, sustainability and personal liberty, all in an atmosphere of privacy within community.

...to Mockingbird Hill, located in Granville and McKean Townships in Licking County , Ohio. In these pages you will find complete details for viewing a new way of living in a natural, rural setting with a small community of folks who prefer living lightly on the earth. There are maps, our Protective Covenants and Restrictions, the Conservation Easement, links to like-minded publications and developments, and area community information. Please email or phone to let us know what your interests are, or if you would like to tour the development, and possibly share in this vision for a conservation-minded future.

♫  “Tra la la twiddly dee dee, there’s peace and good will.

You’re welcome as the flowers on Mockingbird Hill.” ♪