Mennonite Village in Albany, Oregon purchased 21.83 acres of farmland from the Henshaw Trust on March 2, 2009. The property is located outside the city limits of Albany; approximately one-quarter-mile south of Mennonite Village on Seven Mile Lane.

Prior to this purchase, another interested buyer removed a small grove of oak trees from the property, leaving behind approximately 300 tree stumps. Mennonite Village is now in the process of clearing the stumps, and will eventually replant. A portion of the excavated tree stumps were donated by Mennonite Village to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the City of Albany Parks and Recreation Administration for use in restoration of wildlife habitats.

The board of directors and administration of the non‐profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) agreed to secure the land now as part of a strategic plan to sustain long‐term services and support to a fast growing
population of seniors.

Ron Litwiller, president and CEO of Mennonite Village, remarked, “The financial stewardship and foresight of our previous boards and management made it possible to purchase the land when it was offered by the Henshaw family. This additional acreage will permit Mennonite Village to serve more aging adults in the future.”

Mennonite Village was established in 1947 as a 24‐room “home for the aged.” The campus has expanded gradually over the past 62 years, adding homes and apartments for active adults in the Village, assisted living at Quail Run, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care at Lydia’s House. Mennonite Village presently provides housing, healthcare, and other services and support to more than 650 seniors. The Mennonite In‐Home Care department cares for an additional 50 plus residents in the mid‐Willamette Valley.

According to the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, in less than 20 years, Oregon will see dramatic growth of those 65 and older. While the total population is projected to increase by 47 percent, the 65‐plus population will more than double, growing by more than 137 percent to comprise nearly one in five Oregonians. Based on this forecast, Mennonite Village can expect to serve a resident population of nearly 900 by 2030—an additional 250 adults.