What started as an experiment is turning out to be a successful fundraising tool, according to Freeport Conservation Trust officials, who are using online crowdfunding to preserve an equestrian farm in Freeport.

The trust has piloted the use of crowdfunding in Maine for easement acquisition, said FCT Executive Director Katrina Van Dusen, in an effort to raise $20,000 to conserve Winterwood Farm.

Launched in late October, the trust is using Worth- Wild, a certified B corporation specifically designed for environmental initiatives, for the campaign.

With 12 days left, the effort has raised $17,541 from 54 supporters, according to the WorthWild campaign page — funding the project to 87 percent of its goal.

“We’re not there yet, but I think we’ll definitely make it,” said Van Dusen. “I’m excited about it — one of the reasons we wanted to use crowdfunding instead of our traditional appeal methods was because we wanted to reach people beyond our membership.

“A lot of people in the Winterwood Farm neighborhood appreciate the farm and go by there on their exercise route,” she said. “I feel very gratified that it looks like we will meet our goal.”

It’s a tough season to raise funds for a specific campaign, said Van Dusen, who noted that many nonprofits’ annual appeals for support are distributed at this time. But WorthWild’s interactive, visual platform has been a boon to the effort.

“It’s been fun — it’s an easy vehicle for donations, there are visuals, there is a clear place to direct people,” said Van Dusen, who added that rewards are given for different levels of donations, from a postcard or gift certificate to a guided tour of one of FCT’s preserves.

“ One person said they gave $50 extra so they could get the gift certificate, and another person said they gave extra for an (artist’s print) we are offering,” said Van Dusen.

Some people have chosen not to donate online, said Van Dusen, and the trust is accepting donations through alternate methods as well. The deadline for donations is Dec. 15.

In July, the Land For Maine’s Future board of directors awarded $9.1 million of the voter-approved Land For Maine’s Future bonds to 30 projects statewide. This included a $ 105,000 grant to the Freeport Conservation Trust to purchase an agricultural easement for Winterwood Farm, located on Webster Road.

Owned by Robert and Simone Rodgers, Winterwood Farm has more than 45 acres of pasture and woodland, and is located above an aquifer that supplies 90 percent of Freeport’s public drinking water, according to the Freeport Conservation Trust.

For more information about Winterwood Farm, to view a video about the conservation effort or to donate, visit www.worthwild.com/ initiatives/ 34. Additional information is available on the Freeport Conservation Trust website at freeportconservationtrust.org.

rgargiulo@timesrecord.com

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu