Field Notes

Small state, big impact: How donating land and stock brought one retired couple peace of mind

4 min read / January 7, 2025 / By Laura Hardie

“Vermont is a small state, so you can really make a difference.”  - Jeannie Panner

Vermont couple donates land to leave a legacy

As Jeannie and John Panner entered their late 70s — a time when most look forward to enjoying retirement — they felt the weight of an unanswered question: what would happen to their assets after they were gone?

“The worry is, what are you going to do with this? We have no heirs,” Jeannie said. “We are trying to settle and simplify things.”

They began searching for ways to create a meaningful legacy.

In the early 1980s, the Panners had purchased a 198-acre property in Lowell, Vermont, originally slated for subdivision into multiple lots. As they explored the land—and discovered it had a state-protected wetland and was home to abundant wildlife—they realized they wanted to protect it forever.

“If you preserve the land, you’re also going to help take care of water and air quality, and for us now, we are very concerned about climate change,” Jeannie said. “We decided it’s time to do something, and the Vermont Land Trust was just so helpful.”

Expanding their impact by donating land and stock

An elderly white couple who chose to donate their Vermont land

In 2016, after decades of enjoying the land for recreation and entertaining the idea of farming it while living in nearby Jericho, Jeannie and John donated their property to VLT so it could be conserved and sold with VLT reinvesting the proceeds to expand our conservation impact.

“The land trust took a huge worry from us. We knew that the land was going to be used the way that we hoped,” Jeannie said. “For us, it was also very practical. It was a very big tax benefit,” she added.

The Panners’ generosity didn’t end with the land. In 2024, they chose to donate stock holdings, which included shares accumulated over the 30 years of their working lives. By donating stock directly, they avoided capital gains taxes and were able to provide more support for VLT’s conservation efforts than if they had sold the stock and made a cash donation.

Setting an example for future Vermonters

A forest path in the fall, part of the parcel of donated Vermont land

Christa Kemp, VLT’s donor relations director, has worked with the Panners for years. “Jeannie and John are special people,” she said. “They want the very best for their land, their communities, and the world. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to conservation. Their thoughtful planning and generous gifts have enhanced our capacity to conserve and steward critical natural spaces — a lasting legacy for future generations!”

Jeannie and John hope their story will inspire others to think creatively about their estate planning.

“Vermont is a small state, so you can really make a difference,” Jeannie said.

Want to learn how to donate Vermont land or stocks?

Giving your land or home to the Vermont Land Trust is one of the most generous legacies you can leave. We can also accept donations of stock holdings. Donating stocks that have increased in value can help lower your taxes, while supporting land conservation in Vermont. Learn more by getting in touch with Christa Kemp.