“My prayers have been answered!” says Dorothy Groft, proud owner of 53.09 acres of property, now preserved through Farm & Natural Lands Trust. Dorothy has hoped for years to have her homestead of 60 years put into preservation. She considers the preservation of the property a memorial to her late husband, George Groft, whose wishes were to see the farm remain in agriculture.
Located in West Manheim Township, the property comprises nearly 38 acres of active agricultural fields, with lesser portions being utilized as woodland and the homestead. Dorothy’s property is in close proximity to the Gitt and Wingert properties, both preserved through FNLT.
One thing the visitor and traveler notices is that Dorothy’s property offers a spectacular picture postcard view of Pennsylvania rural living. From the approximate 2,700 feet of road frontage, you have a panoramic view of the entire property, including the original farmhouse, the red bank barn, and the crop fields, which are rotated between corn, wheat and soybeans.
The property exists within the Conewago West Watershed, and an unnamed tributary of the Conewago Creek South Branch begins slightly off the site and flows inward to eventually exit through the western wooded portion of the now-preserved land.
Dorothy adds, “People who own land should consider putting their land into preservation as a gift of inheritance to their children and the community as well.” We thank Dorothy for the gift of her land in preservation, which will be enjoyed for generations to come. Special thanks to the County of York’s Bargain Sale Program for affording Dorothy this opportunity to have her prayers answered.
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