After 17 years of leading Lancaster Farmland Trust, executive director Karen Martynick will retire on December 31, 2021.
Since joining LFT in 2004, Karen has dedicated herself to building LFT into one of the most successful, and one of the 50 largest, land trusts in the nation. During her tenure, LFT preserved 359 farms on nearly 22,000 acres. LFT has now secured more conservation easements than any other land trust in Pennsylvania, and is also now home to more protected farmland than any other county in the nation.
“Karen fearlessly led this organization through crucial years in its growth. Her leadership, passion and vision has shaped the future of our community, and we will be forever grateful. She has left a mark on the organization and on the farmland preservation movement in Lancaster County, and she will be missed!” said Don Hess, Chairman of LFT’s Board of Trustees.
That mark includes championing the organization’s first capital campaign – Honoring the Promise – which was initiated in 2019 and will conclude at year’s end. While the campaign initially had a goal of $7.5 million, due to Karen’s diligence and support from the community, LFT has raised more than $8 million with additional contributions arriving daily.
Read the full article in Open Views.
