The Thoroughbred Homeowners and Breeders Affiliation will honor nationwide award winners at its awards dinner Sept. 7 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington. 5 nationwide winners have been introduced forward of time and BloodHorse Day by day is providing profiles of those winners all through the week.
As we speak we profile Fort Rock Farm, winner of the Robert N. Clay Conservation Award. Equine Land Conservation Useful resource is a co-presenter of this award.
There comes some extent for a lot of farm house owners the place they should make the tough determination on the way forward for their land. Peter Giangiulio and his sister Barbara Geraghty of Fort Rock Farm in Unionville, Pa., just lately made that robust determination and hope their determination units an instance.
As an lawyer, Giangiulio thought of and researched all avenues relating to the way forward for their farm. Alongside along with his spouse, Stephanie, and brother-in-law Invoice, Giangiulio and Geraghty determined to protect their 113-acre farm in 2022 with Pure Lands, a nonprofit group that saves open area, cares for nature, and connects individuals to the outside in jap Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
“You could have a duty to the land, to the animals,” Giangiulio mentioned. “You are not dropping something by doing this, you are gaining a lot.”
Utilizing a land safety device referred to as a conservation easement, Pure Lands has ensured the property isn’t developed, preserving the pastoral, scenic views of the Brandywine Creek Valley. Fort Rock Farm can nonetheless be offered, however can’t be developed.
“You’ve got grown very keen on the land and your neighbors, and all the pieces that goes into it, that in the end has a larger worth than no matter cash distinction,” Giangiulio mentioned.
The Brandywine runs by way of a portion of the property and is a well-liked place for locals to take pleasure in outside actions like kayaking and fishing.
“There is a worth to that and you may’t substitute it,” Giangiulio mentioned. “We did it for the appropriate causes. I’m very pleased with my household and my spouse for seeing one of the best avenue for inexperienced area, for the neighborhood, for the those that take pleasure in it.”
Along with his connection to the land that Giangiulio began engaged on with the horses when he was 8 years outdated, he additionally feels a duty to his horses.
Giangiulio and Geraghty have each adopted their father’s ardour for horses by way of proudly owning and breeding Thoroughbreds. Giangiulio is a former president of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Affiliation and at present serves on its board. As well as, he’s the vp of Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines in Pottstown, Pa., a retirement farm for horses of all breeds. Having just lately accomplished his 54th foaling season, Giangiulio has a deep connection to his horses and makes use of his farm as a sanctuary of their outdated age.Â
“What do you do with your folks?” he requested about creating the land. “That was a part of the matter of belief that we accepted.”
Along with his household, Giangiulio additionally thanked his farm supervisor June Hillman for her assist over her 29 years of service on the farm.
“This can be a crew,” Giangiulio mentioned. “Everyone seems to be simply as essential as everybody else.”
