Mystery donation helps save Corvallis farm

Mystery donation helps save Corvallis farm »Play Video

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Just west of Corvallis is a 587 acre farm tucked between rolling hills and colorful scenery. Bald Hill Farm specializes in pasture raised beef production, that runs about 100 head of cattle.

"It's kind of an iconic property within the Corvallis area," said Michael Pope, executive director for Greenbelt Land Trust."The products are sold locally and it's a great connection with the farm to an urban area."

However, officials with Greenbelt Land Trust fear the future of the farm could be in trouble.

"There's been a lot of development in the last 15 or 20 years and we're concerned that the property would be broken up and eventually the public would not be allowed to access certain parts of it," Pope said.

Greenbelt is raising collecting donations and applying for grants to raise enough funds to purchase the $4.7 million dollar piece of property. Greenbelt is not there yet, but last week there was a helpful delivery Pope won't forget.

"My office administrator walked in my office and he had a big smile on his face," Pope said.

In the administrator's hand was a check for a $250,000 - from who, no one knows.

"I guess my heart stopped for a minute and I said, 'wow,'" Pope said. "This is just amazing."

The mystery donation to Greenbelt Land Trust is step in the right direction to better preserve Bald Hill Farm

"It will be under an ownership that will emphasize the conservation and some of the recreational values," Pope said.

Even though Greenbelt doesn't know who the anonymous donor is, Pope said he still has a message for that person anyway.

"I'd like to give him a big hug, and bring him out here and just say thank you so much," Pope said. "This is just an incredible contribution for just a wonderful project,"

The same anonymous donor has given to Greenbelt Land Trust for many years. Greenbelt said the mystery donor plans to donate $50,000 in 2013 and 2014.