Saint Joseph’s College Is Given 7,634 Acres of Indiana Farmland

A longtime friend of Saint Joseph’s College, in Rensselaer, Ind., has left the institution 7,634 acres of farmland on condition that the college not sell the land, which is worth more than $40-million, and protect it from development with a conservation easement. The donor, Juanita K. Waugh, hoped her bequest would help maintain the rural character of White County, where the farms are located.

According to a college news release, the land is notable for having 19 operating windmills that are part of the Meadow Lake Wind Farm, which plans to add 13 more. The college says it will be the private landowner “with the most windmills east of the Mississippi River.”

The college will retain a manager to oversee the land and does not expect to seek tax-exempt status for it.