The founding director of Countryside Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering small-scale farming and farm-to-market foods in northeast Ohio, has died from an illness as the agency continues to seek his permanent replacement.
Darwin Kelsey passed away Sunday. He is survived by his wife, Chris van Huysse, his five children and his seven grandchildren.
In 1999, Kelsey founded the conservancy, headquartered in Boston Township in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. He led the organization until stepping down in September, after which he served as director emeritus. At the time of his death, Kelsey was aiding in the search to find his replacement as the agency has been led by Interim Executive Director, the nonprofit’s director of operations and partnerships.
“Darwin made an enormous contribution to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, helping bring farms to life to preserve the rural landscape. His work has been very important locally, but also has been a model for the National Park Service across the country.” said Craig Kenkel, Cuyahoga Valley National Park superintendent.
A memorial service to celebrate Kelsey’s life will be held Saturday at Happy Days Lodge (500 W. Streetsboro St. in Peninsula). Calling hours are scheduled from noon to 2:30 p.m. A brief service will follow.
Gifts made in Kelsey’s memory will benefit the Countryside Conservancy, and can be given online at cvcountryside.org/give-donate.htm or by mail to 2179 Everett Road, Peninsula, OH 44264.
Kelsey was a driving force behind local efforts to bring farm-fresh foods to farmer’s markets from Howe Meadow in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to Highland Square in Akron. He launched the first farmer’s market in a national forest, according to the conservancy.
Before coming to Summit County, Kelsey was an administrator with Lake Farmpark in Lake County from 1989 to 1999, helping the community understand the agricultural roots of clothing and food. Before that, he was director of the National Museum of the Boy Scouts of America in Kentucky. Kelsey also founded and oversaw the Association of Living Historical Farms and Agricultural Museums and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Kelsey was raised on a dairy farm in New York. He later raised small livestock on a farm in Connecticut.
Noelle Celeste, founder of Edible Cleveland and a former board member for the Countryside Conservancy, remembered Kelsey in a Facebook post following his death Sunday.
“That man, an amazing visionary and activist died yesterday,” Celeste wrote. “While I know I will miss Darwin Kelsey in so many ways, I know most of all how I will remember him — every time I drive through the park and see those working farms, his spirit will be present. Our love and prayers go to his family and the staff and friends of Countryside during this very sad time.”
Doug Livingston can be reached at 330-996-3792 or dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @ABJDoug .