Legacy Farm Project, WDHS sign MoU
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Legacy Farm Project and the Western District Historical Society (WDHS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding their support for the ongoing project.
“As of recently, we have been advancing quite rapidly with working with not only educators, but sports and also tourism destination entities and bodies, working towards MoU’s and really bringing together the collaboration framework,” said Scott Silva, director of business development for the Legacy Farm Project. “As with all of our other MoU’s, our five main goals are to foster innovation, inspire future generations, create sustainability, accelerate education, and grow young minds.”
Silva explained the excitement behind solidifying the MoU with the WDHS regards establishing a collaborative historical center and museum at the Legacy Farm, as well as to have the WDHS as the stewards of the land.
Rhonda Stockwell, president of the Western District Historical Society, explained the organization will be the lease holder for the land utilized for the Legacy Farm Project.
“We want to attain the same goals, bridging the past and future of agriculture … it is going to be a pivotal moment in our collective journey not only to preserve the past, but to propel it into the future,” she said. “We are following our mission, which is to share our community’s distinctive past and provide experience which fosters understanding of our history.”
The MoU is signed as an agreement spelling out the terms of both parties’ involvement over the next five years. The document also specifies it will not impose any financial responsibilities on its participants, except that each will be responsible for funding, or review costs incurred by their own respective interests related to the support of the MoU.
Silva added the signing of the MoU is a milestone for the project, as it recognizes the local regional heritage, involves a regional deep-rooted non-profit organization, and establishes the principal goal for the destination component of the Legacy Farm experience.
“This is very similar to how we are working with Golden Hills School Division to really put a focus on community development and community collaborations. This is just the first step of many that will be coming forward,” he said. “It’s a symbolic lease, only a dollar a year, but the idea being is that we want to establish that that focus is primarily for non-profits and local societies.”
The next steps for the Legacy Farm Project include discussions regarding the development of the new barn for 2025 which will serve as the complex for the education centre, historical centre and archives, and events venue.
More information regarding the Legacy Farm project is available online via their website.