Growing Hope Foundation

Good day my friends,
Today I would like to ponder with you the idea of a legacy. To begin with, because we are a land management organization, I am considering a legacy as it pertains to farmland. From there, I’m simply going to ponder the idea of legacy in general.
First of all, we have learned that there is a tendency among land owners to separate their long-term philanthropic goals from their farmland. Sort of like thinking that “there’s your land, and then there’s your legacy. And never shall the two meet.” But, we have learned that that is not the most proactive view of your land when it comes to planning for the future. The question needs to be asked “what if your land could be your legacy.” That’s where we come in. Through Growing Hope, your land can become your legacy. Because structured properly, your land could provide a secure revenue stream to an organization that is working to make the world a better place. And, isn’t that part of what a legacy is about?
And, while legacy pertaining to the land, and also as it pertains to estate planning, is primarily talking about monetary wealth that is passed on to another upon one’s death, the broader definition of legacy is “something that happened in the past or that comes from someone in the past.”
And, even if you may not have ever thought about the legacy you are leaving the world, chances are good that you are leaving one. Because we never know when we have impacted the life of another, even by a small act or word that seemed minuscule in our own minds, but made a lasting impression on another.
Whether you like the man or not, I once read a book by Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric. In the book he was adamant that he did not like the word legacy or its connotations. Ironically, that statement alone is, in truest definition, a legacy because it is a statement that is bound to make a lasting impact on anyone who reads his thoughts on the matter. It is a statement that comes from someone in the past and is recalled yet today. Also ironic is that if you do a search of Jack Welch on the internet, you will find many articles about his “legacy” at GE.
Because leaving a legacy is not necessarily a choice, especially if you have made a deliberate attempt to live a meaningful life. If you have given thought to the decisions you have made in your life, and you have interacted with others around you, whether or not you meant to or even realized it, you will undoubtedly leave a legacy behind when your time on this earth is through.
So, assuming that is true, today might be the day to consider what your legacy might be and if there is anything specific you hope your legacy will look like. It will be different for everyone and may or may not have financial implications. My point today is simply to put forward the idea for you to consider.
Blessings,
Julie

Hello friends!
Allow me to introduce to you growinghopelandmanagement.com.  This is our new and improved website and we are very excited about it!  In this, our updated website, you will find fresh content, new photos, and as always, details on how to best preserve your farmland as you look to the future while at the same time providing a secure revenue stream for either your heirs, a non-profit organization that is meaningful to you, or both!  Please take a look around!  It is sort of like inviting people to come take a tour of your new home.  (Can you tell we’re a little enthused?….)
There are a variety of reasons for updating the website.  But, the primary reason is for the purpose of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).  That is computer-geek-speak for how easy it is for a website to be “found” when someone is doing a search on the internet.  Previously we were not employing Search Engine Optimization techniques of any kind and therefore if someone were to put the phrase “land management” in their search bar, that person would have to scroll through dozens of pages before Growing Hope Foundation’s name made an appearance.  By putting into practice some specific actions, someone doing a search for “land management” will be able to find us much sooner.  We are also making good use of other phrases which describe what we are all about.  These phrases should also make it easier for us to be found.
Because, ultimately, we want to be found, not for our sake but the sake of the person searching for an answer to their dilemma.  The primary dilemma being “what will happen to my farmland after I am gone?”  We know this is a question that plagues many land owners, especially ones for whom taking good care of their land all their lives has been a passion.  They feel an obligation to making sure it’s taken care of even when they are gone.  And, we have an answer for those people.  That is why we want to be found.
If you know someone who you suspect is asking such a question, please invite them to look at our website, and to be in touch with us.  We love caring for the land and would like to help anyone through that process of making sure their land will be taken care of well into the future.
Oh, one more thing, because this is a new web page, being run by a new program, you might want to re-subscribe to the post.  There is a blue button off to the right.  Just click it and follow the prompts.
Thanks for checking out our new website – we’re glad you stopped by!
Julie