Agriculture FRONT expect a certain level of comfort, she explained. Because of that, she has worked to make the farm more welcoming, specifically through the addition of shade areas, including an awning on the barn and tents, fans and misting stations. An additional day of live music will be added to this year’s festival, which was aided in part by a $20,000 grant she received earlier this year from the Virginia Tourism Corporation Regional Marketing program. Monaghan isn’t just relying on the festival to keep the farm going, but rather continues to diversify. After continued inquiries about using the farm as a wedding venue, she decided to move forward with the idea. “We really only use the barn during festival season…we thought we could renovate it to make it work for weddings. The view up there sells itself,” she said. As part of their decision to renovate the barn, she and her husband decided to go ahead and buy the land from a family member. Gracely Hill already has bookings for next year despite only opening in April. The venue is a combination of her two children’s middle names. Both of the children, aged 14 and 16, are intimately involved in the running of things. “To involve them in the process has been great,” Monaghan said. She’s also developed multiple uses for
Candace Monaghan
the sunflowers. She sells individual flowers at the festival and bundles of them to florists. As for the seeds, she sells packets that can be planted and 20-pound bags for birdseed. Monaghan’s bet that people would be willing to schlep to rural Buchanan is part of a growing agritourism trend.
vbFRONT.com / AUGUST 2023 u
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