ClearWater Launches Slab Cabin Run Initiative to Preserve Meyer Dairy, Everhart Lands

ClearWater Conservancy has begun a yearlong, $2.75 million campaign to permanently conserve 300 acres of agricultural land in College and Harris Townships.

The initiative includes farmland that produces dairy goods for Meyer Dairy as well as the Everhart Farm. The effort aims to protect source water, restore Slab Cabin Run and preserve the Meyer and Everhart lands. The 300 acres, located immediately outside the State College regional growth boundaries, are situated in the Source Water Protection Area for the Harter-Thomas Wells, which supply much of the Centre Region’s drinking water and are located immediately downhill from the Myer and Everhart properties.

“Our community and our environment will mutually benefit from this effort, protecting our drinking water supply, restoring the degraded trout stream that is Slab Cabin Run and permanently preserving scenic farmland as a reminder of the modest, hard‐working values that make up our rich agricultural history,” said Andy Warner, president of ClearWater Conservancy’s board, in a release.

Slab Cabin Run, which starts at Tussey Mountain and feeds into Spring Creek, flows through the Meyer and Everhart farms. The stream has been degraded by the growth of land development and accompanying impervious ground cover like parking lots, sidewalks and roads.

The fundraising effort is the largest in the nationally-accredited land trust organization’s 35-year history. ClearWater is seeking 50 percent support from local municipal partners and 50 percent from businesses and private donors by Sept. 30, 2017. The initiative was formally announced at ClearWater’s annual member meeting on Friday.

Once completed, Meyer Dairy Partnership would own both properties, while ClearWater would hold perpetual conservation easements on both, ensuring their protection of the land and stream corridor into the future.

“Over the years, many people have come to us with interest in our land,’ said Joe Meyer, owner of Meyer Dairy, in the release. ‘We think a lot of people will be satisfied with this decision.”

“ClearWater Conservancy is honored that the Meyer and Everhart families see the benefit to preserving their property for future generations and have agreed to partner with us in order to conserve, restore, and protect this iconic Central Pennsylvania farmland, ” said Deborah Nardone, executive director of ClearWater Conservancy.