The Franklins of Upper Essex County, Virginia

Robert Dameron Franklin, the son of Bob and Mabel Franklin has been a farmer and a lover of the land, all his life.  His love of the land and his appreciation for its bounty, is evident from the moment he begins talking about it and the myriad of reasons why he feels it is worthy of protection.  For as much as he loves the land it is equally evident that it is his love for his family that inspired him to begin looking into the idea of preserving the land as it is, for present and future generations. While he was out duck hunting with Peter Bance, a few years ago, the topic of conservation easements came up.  Peter talked about his family’s actions to permanently protect Wheatland.  Two and a half years later, the Franklin family has preserved over 684 acres on their farms, while a neighbor has protected another 125 acres.

From a simple conversation, a significant act of conservation stewardship grew. Robert Franklin delved into the process with intensity and a definite purpose in mind. He sought help from conservation consultants and professionals, including attorney Lee Stephens of Spotts Fain, PC in Irvington, CPA Rebecca McCoy in Mathews, Appraiser Martha Heric in Urbanna and tax credit Broker Charlie Westbrook, of Blue Line Consulting in northern Virginia. Robert Franklin was able to accomplish his goals while being educated about the options that he had and did not have.  He says the conservation easement is not a burden at all and has actually been a huge benefit, by creating the needed motivation to clean things up and hopefully, make things better.

The Farmer’s Hall conservation easement was customized to suit the farm’s needs and allow Robert Franklin the flexibility to permit logging and the creation of additional agricultural land for growing crops and other options that they needed in order to successfully maintain the roads, property features and the long term operations of the farm. He says the conservation easement creates a “win-win” for everyone. The land is protected from development in perpetuity.  The tax benefits and income from the sale of tax credits has been, and will continue to be beneficial for years to come.  The income from the sale of tax credits creates a liquid asset that can be put back into the farm or used for other purposes, as it is needed. He believes that the land under conservation easement will, in time, cause the land adjoining it to become more and more valuable. Those seeking solitude will pay a higher price if they know the property next door will be forever scenic and pastoral.

Robert Franklin and his wife, Robin, donated an easement on 136 acres in 2007 with the blessing an understanding of their three children, Tyler, 24, Josh, 21, and Rachel 19.  He along with his partner, Jack Fennel also placed 548 acres they own together under another conservation easement.  Neighbor A. W. “Buck” Parson also protected his 125 acres with an easement last year. Their combined stewardship created a block of over 809 acres of working lands and wildlife habitat that will remain forever rural.  This does not include the easement that his parents, Bob and Mabel Franklin, placed on their acreage, known as Faver Farm. Robert Franklin’s self stated goal is to “at the end of my life, leave the land in better shape than it was before I was here.” The Franklins have created a place that is set apart, for themselves, their children and for future generations of Franklins to “come home to”.  In his own words. . .”We don’t really own anything. . . we are only caretakers for a little while.”

LOVE OF FAMILY INSPIRES LAND PROTECTION

The love for family and the land has been passed down from Robert Eugene “Bob” Franklin and his wife, Mabel Dameron Franklin, to their three children, who have in turn passed on the same love and respect for the land to their own children, which has in turn resulted in the long term preservation of their family lands.

Bob and Mabel Franklin, both natives of the Northern Neck, moved to Kendale in Upper Essex to farm for Hill Wellford, Sr. in 1960.  They lived there for 17 years, raising their three children; Mary Beth, Robert and Paul. In 1970, they purchased Faver Farm from Buck Parson and in 1977 built the house they still live in today.  Over the years, they added additional acreage to their land holdings. As son, Robert Franklin shared all the information he was gathering about conservation easements Bob and Mabel   “came on board.”   According to Mabel, talking about the long term future of the land led her and Bob, to also address all of their estate planning issues.  She said they gained so much “peace of mind” by dealing with the future in a way that included discussions with their three children and grandchildren.  Three Generations of Franklins were involved in the decision to place their land in conservation easements.

“There is nothing left to do now, everything has been taken care of and now we can just enjoy our lives, our children and our grandchildren.”   This year Bob and Mabel Franklin will be celebrating their 55th weddinanniversary.