Farm Tour this weekend

By Nate Delesline III

Published: October 3, 2008

About a dozen local farms and businesses will open their gates and doors this weekend for the county’s 11th annual Harvest Days Farm Tour.

From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, visitors can see and learn firsthand what it takes to create a variety of agricultural products and bring them to markets and into homes.

In Culpeper County, there are more than 600 working farms, said County Agriculture Extension Agent Carl Stafford. About one-third of those depend on agriculture as their main source of income.

“Anybody who participates is improving their ag IQ,” Stafford said. He said up to 4,000 people — many of them from outside the county — are expected to participate over the two-day event.

Stafford also said that Culpeper is one of the leading areas in the state for production of non-edible greenery, like flowers.

Stafford added that the presence of farms is good for the community and economy because of what he described as their revenue positive effect. That means that farms usually pay more in taxes although they require fewer services that are funded by tax dollars, meaning everyone’s taxes generally remain lower.

For more information about this weekend’s events, visit culpeperag.org/farmtour2008.

This year’s participating farms are:

Saturday only
Belmont Farm Distillery, 13490 Cedar Run Road: Belmont’s grain and livestock farming work dates back to 1830. In 1989, present owner Chuck Miller unveiled Virginia Lighting Corn Whiskey. A recent change in legislation allows the farm to sell the moonshine on site. Live music will be featured and Knights of Columbus will serve lunch, with the proceeds benefiting charity.

CFC Farm and Home Center, 15172 Brandy Road: Local farmers founded Culpeper Farmers’ Cooperative in 1932. Since, CFC Farm and Home Centers has grown to a six-store company with 75 years of experience. Natural riding demonstrations — using body language to communicate with the horse — will be featured, along with a petting zoo.

Wollam Gardens, 5167 Jeffersonton Road, Jeffersonton: Gardening enthusiasts and flower lovers will likely enjoy this 11-acre, 200-year-old farm that sells commercially to Washington, D.C. florists and in local markets. Garden tours will start at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and plants will be available for sale.

Sunday only
Cibola Farms, 12149 Scotts Mill Road: Since 1999, Cibola Farms has supplied buffalo meat to the northern Virginia region. In addition to buffalo, the farm also raises free-range hogs, turkeys and honey bees. Meat sales will be available all day.

River Edge Farm, 8182 Fox Grove Road, Remington: Founded in 1946, the farm began with 10 dairy cows near the banks of the Rappahannock River. Today, there are more than 240 head of cattle on the farm with 140 of them producing milk. Milking demonstrations, fresh milk and hayrides will be offered.

Saturday and Sunday
Andora Farm and Stables, 17275 Germanna Highway: Originally a dairy farm, Andora Farm is now a horse farm that offers stabling to travelers and instructional clinics. Horse and cattle penning demonstrations will be featured.

Freestate Llamas, 17167 Waterloo Road, Amissville: A show breeding farm, visitors will learn about llama behavior and the uses of llama fiber. Hands on learning activities and a llama kissing booth will be featured.

Platinum Alpacas, 10623 Gravel Road, Brandy Station: Platinum Alpacas started in 2004 with three females and has grown since. Clothing made from alpaca fiber is said to be one of the finest clothing products known. Alpacas also make practical pets that are clean, safe and intelligent. Tours, fiber and clothing will be featured and gifts will be available for purchase.

Kelly’s Ford Equestrian Center, 16589 Edwards Shop Road, Remington: Located on a 500 acre estate along the Rappahannock River at a Civil War battle site, the center offers riding trails, lessons and pony rides. Cannon demonstrations, face painting and other kids activities will be offered.

Lakota Farm, 9272 Big Horn Road, Remington: Located just outside Remington on the Rappahannock River, Lakota Farm is home to the oldest and most prominent Devon beef cattle herd in the country. The British cattle ancestry can be traced back to 1623. Border Collie demonstrations and self-guided walking tours will be available.

Morningside Farm and Nursery, 7855 Griffinsburg Road, Boston: Herbs, ornamental and native plants are among the offerings at the farm. Both experienced gardeners and novices are welcome to browse the selection of plants. A herb ID scavenger hunt and wine tasting are featured activities.

Old House Vineyards, 18351 Corkys Lane: About a decade after discovering an abandoned farmhouse, the Kearny family has transformed overgrown alfalfa fields into vineyards that produce a variety of award winning wines. Wine tastings, wine cellar tours and hay rides will be available both days.

Piedmont Railroaders, 113 S. Commerce St. (the Depot): Founded in Warrenton in 1995, the group provides a place to share interests in railroading through community activities. Railroads have been synonymous with agriculture, transporting items from farms to markets. The Depot will also serve as the Farm Tour’s welcome center.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .