As development continues to consume the area surrounding historic 234 acre Patterson Farm in Bucks County, PA the daughter of the farmer who worked the Patterson farmland, and whose family history of farming in Bucks County began before the American Revolution, makes a plea for preservation. Read her letter to Darwin (a.k.a. "Dobby") Dobson, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Lower Makefield Township, below: Dear Chairman Dobson, With over 3,000 signatures gathered on the petition to preserve Patterson Farm it is clear the public is overwhelmingly supportive of the preservation and restoration of the landmark Patterson Farm. With its rich history, and eligibility for enrollment on the National Register of Historic Places, Patterson Farm is an important part of Bucks County’s heritage and future. I write today to implore you, again, to allow me to lead a preservation effort, starting TODAY, that will keep Patterson Farm intact and restore the Satterthwaite House (c. 1760) to its’ former magnificence. The proposed sale of the historic Satterthwaite House has so enraged neighbors of the farm that they have engaged in litigation to halt it. Would the Board of Supervisors not prefer that citizens invest their funds in restoration rather than litigation? The Dalgewicz farm lawsuit with the township had to be settled by the PA Supreme Court. Wouldn’t the township prefer to work with citizens rather than enduring continued litigation? It has been nearly 17 years since Lower Makefield Township acquired Patterson Farm. In that time the condition of the farms historic homes and buildings have deteriorated, but it is NOT too late to restore them! Township staff have not focused appropriate attention or funds on the property’s upkeep. An effort by concerned citizens will remove the task of managing such care from our overburdened township staff. The resulting restored property will be an enhancement to the township and a lasting tribute to your willingness to work with the community to achieve positive and lasting change! My family has been farming in Bucks County, PA since before the American Revolution. 2017 marks the 100 year anniversary of my family’s residence on Patterson Farm. My father farmed with Tom & Alice Patterson for nearly 50 years. Patterson Farm has been an important part of my life since birth. I am fully committed to seeing the property restored for present and future generations. Patterson Farm is our heritage and our future! The roots of its history include Native American habitation and our early Quaker forefathers. The same crops they grew over 330 years ago could, with your help, be grown there 330 years from now! I have invested considerable funds of my own to create awareness about the importance of Patterson Farm. Would you not prefer to work with me, rather than continue your opposition to preservation? Here in Bucks County we have wonderfully talented farmers, tradespeople, artisans, civic groups, school groups, historians, preservationists, genealogists, grant writers, veterans, to name a few, even Patterson family members, who are willing to engage in a preservation effort and plan for the future of agriculture. Bucks County has a fine agricultural college, Del Val, teaching the next generation of farmers. Future farmers will need preserved farmland to grow our food! Farming is a 24 hour a day job that requires a farmer to live on the farm in order to properly tend to it. People are drawn to Bucks County because of our fascinating history, natural beauty, and cultural/agricultural heritage. LET ME GATHER THOSE PEOPLE AND EMPLOY THEIR TALENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL! It has been quite disheartening to witness the lackluster commitment of a number of Boards regarding Patterson Farm when there is such enthusiasm for the preservation of the land that feeds us and our historic sites. Other, seemingly less affluent, communities have restored their historic sites (Bolton Mansion, Three Arches, Summerseat, Langhorne Heritage Farm, etc.), why not Lower Makefield? The 3,000 people who signed the petition for preservation understand the importance of this issue. Mr. Dobson you ran for public office on a platform of farm preservation. I ask you today, are you fully committed? Will you take action to deliver on your campaign promise of preservation? I embrace the comments of all the 3,000+ petitioners. I agree with those who say seeing a farmer working the fields of Patterson Farm gives them peace. I feel the emotion of the people who stop me in the grocery store and urge me to continue with the effort for preservation. I share the sentiments of people who tell me they enjoy bird-watching or seeing wildlife on Patterson Farm, or they feel as if they have arrived “home” when they exit Interstate 95 and see Patterson Farm. I feel the hope of the future generation of farmers, whose desire in life is to work the land as my forefathers did. Do YOU, Mr. Dobson, hear and embrace their comments, sentiments and hope for the future? Do you? Does the Board? I urge you to halt the proposed sale of the Satterthwaite parcel, to enroll Patterson Farm in the PA Agricultural Conservation Easement program and to work in cooperation with me to restore and preserve Patterson Farm! The dismantling of, and construction on, Patterson Farm is NOT what Thomas and Alice Patterson had intended for their farm. I ask you to meet with me to discuss plans to move FORWARD with the preservation they began. Past differences need to be put aside so progress can take place. I am asking the Board to allow me to have the key to Satterthwaite House so the Patterson Farm preservation effort can FINALLY begin. Donna Doan Patterson Farm Preservation Note: Chairman Dobson may be contacted at ddobson@lmt.org