The Leelanau News Blog
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Dan took this photo of The Bufka Farm last weekend. He has several more photos from around the county and area on Saturday.

The Leelanau County Workshop for The Grand Vision will be held next Thursday (May 8th) at 6:30 p.m. at Suttons Bay High School.

The Grand Vision is a regional transportation and land use planning project that will help determine spending on transportation projects in the Grand Traverse region for years to come. Participants will be using maps and discussion to focus on Leelanau County's future land use and transportation system.

This workshop is open to everyone - you do NOT need to live or work in Leelanau County to attend. To register, visit The Grand Vision web site or call toll-free: 866-441-5214.

Photo: Misty Blossoms I by Andy McFarlane

The Leelanau Conservancy recently completed a purchase that will expand the protected areas along Victoria Creek (Cedar River) to a total of 300 acres with over two miles of Lake Leelanau shoreline and connecting channels along the waterways within the Solon Swamp wetland complex (scroll down and click the small map to view the protected areas).

“Purchasing the property was like putting in a key piece of a puzzle,” adds Price. “Now, both banks of the Cedar River from the village of Cedar all the way down to Lake Leelanau are owned by either the State or the Conservancy and open to the public to explore and enjoy.” The new acquisition is strategic for another reason: the property includes about eight acres of dry upland along Co. Rd. 645, just east of the Village of Cedar, which will be the first access point along a public road north of the Cedar River and only the third road-access point into about 1,500 acres of Pere Marquette State Forest. Conservancy ownership of the 100 acres will allow the public to directly access 275 adjacent acres of State Forest which were previously inaccessible on foot because of the river.

The forested wetlands on the property are thick with northern white cedar, hemlock and spruce and with a large pocket of mature tamaracks in the 24 acres south of the river. This land has tremendous ecological value,” says Matt Heiman, a Conservancy land protection specialist who worked on the project. While a complete inventory of plant and animal species on the property will have to wait for the winter to unlock its grip, nearby land within the Cedar River Natural Area contains over 100 species of plants, including such gems as the carnivorous yellow pitcher plant, along with other species that grow in the most extensive and least-disturbed wetlands. Heiman adds that the land is part of a very large and diverse complex of forested swamp, cattail marsh, and freshwater fens, all connected by stream corridors.

Jim posted this great photo of the first light of day at Brunson Barn in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore:

The Brunson Barn is on Thoreson Road about one mile west of M-22 where Thorson Road turns south.  This structure is all that remains of the Joseph and Margaret Brunson farm.  Mrs. Brunson was the daughter of Thomas Kelderhouse.  The gambrel roofed barn is sited in a small field with a gentle wooded slope that rises to the north.

Also check out this photo of restoration at the Brunson Barn from Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.

The Enterprise reports that the 2007 Farm Bill, which appears headed for passage by the Federal Government in January, streamlines the cumbersome process for farmers to receive federal money for selling development rights on their property to local governments and non-governmental organizations and has additional provisions for specialty crops like cherries, wine grapes, asparagus and organic products.

The new law would raise the deduction a landowner can take for donating a conservation easement from 30 percent of their income in any year to 50 percent.

For those actively engaged in farming, the deal is even better. Qualifying farmers may be able to deduct up to 100 percent of their income from land they have voluntarily donated for a conservation easement. In addition, the new law would extend the carry-forward period for a donor to take tax deductions from five to 16 years.

Read Preservation efforts boosted in Farm Bill in the Leelanau Enterprise.

Photo: Apples & Old Sheds by Andy McFarlane

The Enterprise reports that the Bingham Township Planning Commission held a public forum to discuss ideas that may enhance agricultural tourism in the township, including model zoning ordinance language from the State of Michigan. They quote planner Rochelle Rollenhagen on what is being considered:

"The ideas we're exploring involve expanding the types of activities that might be allowed on agricultural land," Rollenhagen explained. "Agritourism involves some land uses that can be pretty commercial in nature; and a broader range of uses could become allowable in the township’s agriculture district if we follow through with some of these ideas," she said.

The point behind expanding opportunities for agritourism in the township would be to allow farmers and the owners of agricultural properties to stay in business and on their farms, Rollenhagen said. Such opportunities might help prevent residential sprawl.

Read Bingham gathers input for boosting 'agritourism' in the Leelanau Enterprise.

Photo: Harvest II by Andy McFarlane (available in wallpaper size)

Tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 3) there will be an Open House at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center auditorium from 4-7 PM to comment and review the Port Oneida Environmental Assessment (EA), a document that describes and analyzes alternative locations for a visitor contact station and employee housing, along with alternative means of improving visitor access and interpretation of Port Oneida resources. There will be a presentation by the contracting firm, JJR of Ann Arbor at 5 pm.

Click to review the Port Oneida EA. There's a link to offer comment (comment period ends October 19) and you will also want to read this article on the 4 alternatives being offered in the Leelanau Enterprise.

You may also wish to learn more about the current use of the Port Oneida Rural Historic District from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The Leelanau Historical Museum, Leland Chamber of Commerce, and Old Art Building hold their annual celebration of Leland's history next Saturday (Sep 15). The Museum hosts the annual Wood Boats on the Wall classic boat show on the river and inside offers a selection of Leelanau art & literature.

Next door, the Old Art Building will celebrate the 85th birthday of the building and the 75th anniversary of the Michigan State University Art Department. A panel discussion will consider the impact of the former MSU Summer Art School on the evolution of artists; works from 1939 to 1989. A free public exhibition of selected works, past and present, will be held Saturday and Sunday.

Across the street, Van's Garage is sponsoring the Leland Classic, an exhibition of classic cars.

Also check out the Leland Heritage Celebration photo gallery for photos from past celebrations.

The annual Port Oneida Fair is a celebration of rural arts and culture that takes place next Friday & Saturday (Aug 10 & 11) in the Port Oneida Historic Farm District of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (located four miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22).

This is one of Leelanau's coolest family events, and it features exhibits and demonstrations over two days at five farms and the Port Oneida Schoolhouse. You can get a lot more info at the Port Oneida Fair web site.

Years ago I wrote about Port Oneida. The article featured a photo of this barn, and I'm really gratified that the buildings (which looked to be on the road to ruin) are now part of the preservation mission of the park. This is thanks in large part to the efforts of Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear (who have more info about the historic structures in the park and the great work that still needs to be done!)

The Leelanau Conservancy will hold its annual "Friends" picnic and auction this Thursday (Aug 2) at Woolsey Airport near Northport. Proceeds from the auction benefit Conservancy protection efforts in Leelanau County.

In addition to Leelanau wines and food, there will be silent & live auction with almost 150 items including items for home & garden, art, food and services. The Enterprise also has a feature on one of the most sought-after items: a wine tasting, cooking lesson and dinner with noted chef and Conservancy supporter Mario Batali.

You can bid online and get more details about auction items and the event at the Leelanau Conservancy web site.