from throughout | | 6 kitchen | cottage lighted stream, acres
SPRING GLADE
MIddLEBuRG, VIRGINIA
French Country home, with renovations in 1999 & 2017 | 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA, 5 FP, hardwood floors, flagstone terrace | Beautiful drive to hilltop stetting overlooking pond, lake & mountains | Im provements include pool, 2-car garage, 2 BR guest house & apartment | Lovely boxwood gardens | Kitchen allowance to be provided | 79.89 acres
MacMahon 703.609.1905
SALEM HILL
MARSHALL, VIRGINIA
Well protected Fauquier location | 6 bedrooms | 4 full and 2 half baths | 3 fireplaces | Great views | Pool with large flagstone terrace | Large county kitchen | 4-car detached garage with apartment/ office | 9-stall barn | Covered arena | Outdoor ring | 4 stall shed row barn | 51 fenced acres
$3,690,000
203 acres in River frontage 4 full & 3 1/2 Gunnite pool and private | 5 stall Jim paddocks,
$2,700,000
A remarkable property located within a private enclave just minutes from town | Stone and stucco manor house with main level master suite | 7 additional BR | 5 stone FP |
RECTORTOWN, VIRGINIA
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SAINT LOUIS ROAD
ATOKA STORE
Presents For Sale Luxury Farmhouse
on 3 picturesque acres in one of Warrenton s most sought after locations.
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Starting at $1,350,000.00
Available Summer 2025
Artw
Artwork by Palmer Smith
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ON THE COVER
PUBLISHER: Greenhill Media, LLC
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Susan Stark
This month we celebrate Kadiera Ingram as one of our conservation champions for her work as a landowner outreach associate at The Clifton Institute. For more on Ingram and how she is helping locals make the most of their land, turn to page 12. Photo by Callie Broaddus.
ON THIS PAGE
A bobolink perfectly perched on some fencing at
the Oak Spring Garden Foundation. The bobolink is one of many grassland birds protected by the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative. For more on VGBI, turn to page 18. Photo by Callie Broaddus.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Shannon Ayres is a Reston-based freelance photographer. His work has appeared in Arlington, Chesapeake Life, Northern Virginia, Virginia Business, and USA Today magazines. He has an MFA in fine art photography from San Francisco’s Academy of Art University. His editorial work can be seen at sdayres.com
Callie Broaddus is a Warrenton native and graduate of the University of Virginia. After seven years as a book designer at National Geographic Kids, Callie founded the nonprofit, Reserva: The Youth Land Trust, in 2019. Callie’s land preservation projects and focus on youth empowerment are aided by her talent as a professional photographer. In her spare time, Callie enjoys Earl Grey tea, “Harry Potter” trivia, and dreaming of getting back into the jumper ring.
Caroline Gray is a D.C.-based conservation and freelance photographer. A Virginia native and MBA graduate from the University of Virginia, her work blends a love for exploration, nature, and horses with her fashion background. When not behind the camera, Caroline enjoys hiking with her Labrador, Captain, visiting her retired horse, Cleverly, and exploring new restaurants in Washington, D.C.
Diane Helentjaris chose Loudoun as her “forever home” in 1990. A former clinical physician and public health administrator, she has returned to her humanities roots. Diane’s latest book, “I Ain’t Afraid — The World of Lulu Bell Parr, Wild West Cowgirl,” is a rollicking biography. Her novel “The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill” won the 2024 Maryland Writers’ Association novel competition in the historical/romance category.
Dulcy B. Hooper and her husband Richard moved to the country from Washington, D.C., nearly 10 years ago. Shortly thereafter, both began writing occasional articles for Middleburg Life. Dogs are a big part of the Hoopers’ lives and several of Dulcy’s earlier articles focused on the couple’s Chinese crested powderpuffs!
Gracie Savage is a local photographer who grew up in the village of Aldie and has been photographing local weddings, portraits, and events since 2016. Her passion began when she received her first camera in middle school and she continued to study the craft in high school and in college. She was a photographer at Georgetown University for over three years and joined Middleburg Life as a contributor in the spring of 2022.
Shayda Windle is a freelance writer covering the arts, people, and places that make Hunt Country so special. Her work has been featured in Plein Air Magazine, the Fairfax County Times, and several online media outlets. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors and exploring Northern Virginia with her husband and two children.
Heidi Baumstark has been writing for several lifestyle magazines and newspaper publications since 2005, specializing in history-related articles highlighting Virginia’s Piedmont. She has been with Middleburg Life since 2014. Heidi hopes to inspire readers to pause and consider the people, places, and events that have shaped the story of our local history.
Michael Butcher is the owner of Butcher Photography. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, he resides in Springfield, Virginia, with his family. For the past 15 years, Michael has specialized in portraiture, event, and editorial photography. When not behind the lens, he enjoys gardening and swimming. More of Michael’s work can be found at butcherphotography.com.
Laticia Headings is grateful to call Middleburg home. She discovered Middleburg by attending the first annual Middleburg Film Festival in 2013 and has come back to the event every year since as a volunteer and attendee. Laticia is the founder of Latitude Media and has 23 years of experience as a producer, writer, and camerawoman for television (Discovery, National Geographic), and for the documentary film
“Everest: A Climb for Peace.”
Lia Hobel is a freelance journalist, known for her blog, Uplift Loudoun. In addition to her work for Middleburg Life, Lia writes periodically for online platforms with articles appearing on GOBankingRates, Forbes, Huffington Post, and Yahoo! She is a Loudoun 40 Under 40 honoree and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the county.
Bill Kent’s journalism has appeared in more than 40 national and regional publications including The Washington Post, Art & Antiques, Philadelphia Magazine, Baltimore Magazine, New Jersey Monthly, and The Hunt. A former correspondent for The New York Times, he taught writing and journalism at the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers, and Temple universities, and is the author of seven novels, a Fodor’s Guide, and a history of Atlantic City. When not writing, he enjoys walking his westies on Washington Street.
Beth Rasin graduated from Middlebury College, where she studied nonfiction creative writing. She worked as a writer and editor at The Chronicle of the Horse for more than 25 years, including 10 years as the president and executive editor. As a freelancer, she’s contributed since 2015 to Middleburg Life, as well as Northern Virginia Magazine, Blue Ridge Outdoors, the former Loudoun Magazine, and many others. She lives in Hume, where she and her husband and daughter run a boarding facility for retired horses. She enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her adopted dogs and cats.
CAPTURING HUNT COUNTRY’S LANDSCAPES WITH
ARTIST EVA KAY MCKINLEY
Written by Lia Hobel | Photos by Caroline Gray
Just in her teens, Eva Kay McKinley has quickly gained a following for her stunning landscape paintings of Hunt Country, featuring many Loudoun scenes perfectly preserved in watercolor. Her most popular prints include the Virginia bluebells and Bears Den. “I think the bluebells are always associated with wonder and awe,” she shares. “It’s like a fairytale when you experience it in person.”
Having moved from Vienna to Philomont almost two years ago with her three siblings and parents, the 16-year-old with a vibrant, self-proclaimed old soul has found plenty of inspiration in her new home. She’s spent time painting idyllic scenes like the sprawling countryside meadows, the Middleburg Christmas Parade, and even strawberry picking at Wegmeyer Farms. McKinley also captures the splendor of Loudoun vineyards, depicting sunsets among the vines.
“We’re becoming this generation that’s not paying attention to the beauty and intricacy of nature,” McKinley laments. But she continues, explaining her chosen subject matter, “I just find whenever I’m out in nature, it’s just good for the soul. It warms me.”
McKinley’s journey as an artist began four years ago after a life-changing family road trip to over 25 national parks. This experience intensified her passion for nature and creativity, leading her to paint an entire collection featuring the parks she visited.
Following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, her family collectively decided to live somewhere surrounded by nature permanently. “During my middle school years, we went to an outdoor school that was like ‘Little House on the Prairie,’” McKinley fondly recalls. Fortunately, all the cards aligned to make the move to western Loudoun a reality. Now in high school, her fulltime homeschooling education allows McKinley to immerse herself in her art while listening to audiobooks, creating a harmonious blend of learning and creativity. Often, she can complete her schoolwork before noon and have the rest of the day to explore nature, garden, and paint.
McKinley’s artistic talent has always been evident. While living in Vienna, she took art lessons at a studio exploring different mediums but was drawn to watercolor. Since moving to Hunt Country, she’s embraced oil painting and
taken art lessons from local Middleburg artist Gail Guirreri-Maslyk, which has been fruitful in honing her skills. “I love at a young age you can just try everything,” she says. “I can learn horse painting and impressionism and different styles and techniques and explore all the waters.”
The dedication to her craft has led to remarkable achievements, including having her artwork being accepted and sold at the Artists in Middleburg gallery. This was the pivotal moment for her in 2024 when a beloved hobby became a business. “I submitted two paintings, and they got accepted. I was thrilled that my artwork was in an actual gallery,” she remembers. “By the end of the month, to my great astonishment, both paintings had sold. That feeling when someone who doesn’t know my story, my age, or anything about me chose my art really blew me away and encouraged me to continue painting and sharing my gift with others.”
McKinley’s creative process involves using her own photos to capture the essence of an environment. She often combines multiple photos to create a cohesive vision, sketching out her ideas before painting. Her mom often gives suggestions before she starts to paint and has been instrumental in the business side of marketing her prints. There is the boots-on-the-ground effort, too. These days, Friday nights are spent packaging inventory to restock shops that already carry her artwork or prepping for a booth at one of the local markets. “There’s so much support from all the galleries,” she says. “When I was interested in selling my artwork at shops, I pretty much went around with the basket of my stationary sets and fine art prints and went into these storefronts and talked with all the store owners.”
She also finds joy in interacting with buyers in person. “You can get art from so many different places, but people love when they meet the artist of the story and have new memories that are connected with the piece. I oftentimes share my inspiration with the painting and those people then share their own memories of the scene, whether it’s the local parks or hikes around here or certain drives,” McKinley says. This personal connection with her audience has been a meaningful part of her artistic pursuits, as she enjoys hearing their stories and memories associated
Landscapes | Page
Left page: Eva Kay McKinley. Top: McKinley poses with recent pieces. Middle: Her palette. Bottom: McKinley in the field.
8
Landscapes | From page 7
with her artwork. “I’ve always loved evoking peace and joy and stillness in people’s homes. I feel like there’s a thirst for beauty and when people stop by my booth, they’re just encouraged and feel happy about going home with something that adds beauty to their home.”
Looking ahead, McKinley dreams of continuing her artistic journey and possibly opening her own gallery or school built on outdoor experiential learning. “I’d love to preserve a generation that’s losing the wonder and curiosity and bring it back through nature and art,” she shares.
McKinley’s art is a testament to the power of creativity and the outdoors, inspiring others to pause and appreciate the world around them. Her outlook as an artist is a beautiful reminder of the joy and opportunity for reflection that nature offers. ML
To learn more about McKinley and her work, visit theoldfashionedgirl.com.
McKinley and a furry friend.
HUNT COUNTRY ’ S Conservation Champions
Photo by Hugh Kenny
For our 2025 Conservation Issue, we are highlighting locals who champion different yet often overlapping causes all aimed at the same goal of preserving the threatened species and fragile ecosystems unique to Hunt Country. We chat with Bert and Eleanor Harris and Kadiera Ingram from The Clifton Institute in Warrenton about the organization’s origins and how they are helping landowners make the most of their property today. Next, we visit Jolee Farm in Middleburg, where owners Tiffany Lee and Joe Keating share the benefits of working with groups like the Land Trust of Virginia to put properties under conservation easements. Finally, October Greenfield of the Piedmont Environmental Council and Justin Proctor of the Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes highlight the importance of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative, where they are both coordinators.
Throughout the month of April, we’ll continue to share even more local conservation stories online at MiddleburgLife.com.
EnvironmEntal outrEach with THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE
Written by Heidi Baumstark | Photos by Callie Broaddus
Afew miles outside of downtown Warrenton is The Clifton Institute, a nonprofit in Fauquier County on a mission to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature, to study the ecology of our region through targeted research, and to restore and conserve native biodiversity. Its 900-acre property provides a stunning backdrop for a plethora of year-round programs and is protected through a Virginia Outdoors Foundation conservation easement, forever preserving the Piedmont’s wildlife.
The Institute’s field station has a mosaic of habitats, including forests, grasslands, shrublands, wetlands, streams, ponds, and vernal pools,
each of which is home to a different community of plants and animals. Many may recall a childhood of exploring the woods and wondering why a plant grows where it does or how a bird knows where to build its nest. This same curiosity drives the Clifton team and their research projects with high school students, college students, university professors, environmental groups, the community, and government organizations.
Co-Directors Bert and Eleanor Harris
Founded in 1985 under a different name, The Clifton Institute has been around for 40 years, run by part-time employees. In 2011, the name
changed to The Clifton Institute to reflect the environmental work being done on what was originally Clifton Farm. The Institute’s co-directors are husband-and-wife team Dr. Bert Harris and Dr. Eleanor Harris. “Eleanor and I had the idea that we could run a research station, but figured we’d find something like that out west,” Bert Harris says. “But this job popped up in 2017 and we both started in 2018.”
“As a kid, I started out as a bird watcher,” Harris shares. “Now, I’m interested in everything.” He studied at Sewanee: The University of the South in
Outreach | Page 13
Kadiera Ingram walks a Broad Run property with the landowner.
| From page 12
Tennessee. “The school was in a rural setting, so I started a nature club to get fellow students interested. It was inspiring to see people get excited,” he remembers. After earning his undergraduate degree in ecology and biodiversity at Sewanee, he earned a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Adelaide in Australia. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University and is now an adjunct professor at American University and George Mason University.
Before coming to Clifton, Harris realized a lot
of conservation biology is “published in papers that nobody reads.” However, “People can come out here, see all this biodiversity, and learn more about nature. We have events for all ages; last year, we had 3,000 students who came. And the research is exciting — we only pick super-targeted research projects that benefit how landowners can manage their land.”
Events include field trips for school groups, natural history lectures, walks with a naturalist, nature journaling, evening programs, and an annual Spring Native Plant Sale (scheduled for May 3 this year) where visitors can purchase plants grown from seeds collected and grown by Clifton
staff. Programs are designed to encourage a sense of curiosity for visitors and provide education while having an overall positive impact on the environment. The Institute also has the largest dataset in the world on kestrel movements, which is North America’s smallest falcon. Staff have documented 2,600 different species at the Institute and have a goal to catalogue every species on their property. “If people don’t know what we have, how can we help with conservation? That’s where the research comes in,” Harris adds.
Landowner Outreach Program: Kadiera Ingram
Kadiera Ingram serves as an associate of Clifton’s Landowner Outreach Program, visiting property owners in northern and central Virginia and Washington, D.C. Originally from Great Falls, now living in Hume, she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from George Mason University in 2015 and started at The Clifton Institute in July 2023. Her role involves providing practical advice on how to manage land to benefit native plants and animals, with an emphasis on wildflower meadows and grassland restoration.
“A lot of people buy land out here and aren’t sure what to do with it,” Ingram says. But when Ingram sees people engage and make new discoveries on their land, it gets them excited about conservation.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to habitat restoration and land management, since every landscape is different and every owner has different priorities. However, after a walk of their property, Ingram will provide advice based on the landowner’s goals, which can include wildflower meadow establishment, native plant selection, invasive plant control, biodiversity-friendly grazing or hay production, native seed production, pollinator habitat, bird conservation, and wildlife management. Ingram shares, “My favorite moments have always been helping people discover something exciting about their own property, like a nice native plant community or a spot that has great potential… It’s so fun to see folks get excited about their land and see where that enthusiasm takes them.”
Outreach | Page 14
Outreach
Ingram.
Outreach | From page 13
Ingram’s Best Practices for Biodiversity Invasive plants crowd out and displace native plants. Getting them under control and preventing their spread is critical to protecting native biodiversity. Common invasive plants that pop up in local fields are the autumn olive, an invasive shrub, and the multiflora rose, which is a thorny, deciduous shrub. The problem with these plants is that because they come from foreign environments, they don’t have natural predators and spread fast, overtaking indigenous plants. “Native plants are absolutely necessary for supporting native pollinators, birds, and other wildlife,” Ingram explains.
Manicured lawns further reduce resources for wildlife. Taller, unmowed vegetation has value for native species in every season — even in the dead of winter. “If landowners are worried about things looking messy or neglected, we’ve found
that maintaining a few thoughtfully placed pathways and mowed edges along the driveway can help the unmowed space look more intentional,” Ingram adds.
Finally, planting a wildflower meadow can be a great way to improve field quality for wildlife and pollinators, as well as creating something pretty. Ingram advises, “If you want a wildflower meadow, it’s a good idea to wait a growing season to see what already occurs.” Sometimes after allowing a field to grow up, landowners are surprised to discover a beautiful and diverse native wildflower meadow already in place. Taking stock of the existing plants before making a plan will save time, energy, and money, and ultimately goes a long way in ensuring the success of the meadow.
Ingram hosts in-person gatherings several times a year giving property owners a chance to gather, talk about their projects, and share triumphs and challenges. “We also hold workshops
with topics on native seed collection and invasive species management,” she says. “These are held at Clifton in the old 1800s pink house — we actually call it the ‘peach’ house.”
The nonprofit invites anyone interested to become a Friend of the Clifton Institute by making an online donation. The property’s trails are also available for hiking on Saturdays from mid-January through mid-October.
Ingram reflects, “Growing up with nature, I took it for granted when it’s really something we need to actively protect. This realization felt like a call to arms and pushed me along the path that I’m on now. Where I live in Hume, you see these really old buildings and old-looking landscapes, and I think, what can we do to maintain them? It’s like we’re tapping into the heritage of the area.” ML
The Clifton Institute is located at 6712 Blantyre Road in Warrenton. For more information, visit cliftoninstitute.org.
Left: Chatting with local landowner Julie Broaddus after surveying her property. Right: Ingram jots down suggestions on how to optimize the land.
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•
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Jolee Farm in Middleburg Sets Example for the Power of Conservation
Written by Shayda Windle | Photos by Michael Butcher
As Middleburg and the surrounding Hunt Country region face increasing development pressures from population growth and urban expansion, local landowners and conservationists are taking action to preserve the land they call home. The Land Trust of Virginia (LTV), headquartered in Middleburg, reported a record-breaking year in 2022, completing 21 easements that protected a total of 4,642 acres across Virginia. Additionally, the Piedmont
Tiffany Lee and Joe Keating.
Environmental Council (PEC) has facilitated the permanent protection of more than 430,000 acres to date of rural and natural land in Virginia’ s Piedmont region.
While these numbers are impressive, conservation depends on the commitment of landowners willing to take action. Among them are married couple Tiffany Lee and Joe Keating, who sought to conserve Jolee Farm, their 87-acre plot of land in Middleburg. When Lee and Keating
purchased the property in November 2017, they saw both its potential and its need for significant restoration. “The property, barns, and buildings needed complete restoration,” Lee recalls. “We began renovations right away and started to move some horses and animals to the property the next year.”
They enrolled Jolee Farm in Loudoun County’s Land Use Assessment Program, which offers tax deferrals for properties used for agriculture, forestry, horticulture, or open space. However, they soon realized that while the program provides financial incentives, it does not protect the land from future development. Wanting to ensure their farm remained preserved in its natural state, they pursued a conservation easement.
“The benefits go beyond protecting the land itself. You’re preserving local wildlife, maintaining the area’s natural beauty, and fostering long-term environmental health.” – Lee
“So many people assume the land use program and conservation easements are the same, but they’re completely different,” the couple explains. “Land use offers tax benefits, while a conservation easement legally protects the land from development.”
A COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION
“The benefits go beyond protecting the land itself,” Lee shares. “You’re preserving local wildlife, maintaining the area’s natural beauty, and fostering long-term environmental health. And while there are meaningful tax incentives, the true reward is knowing your land will remain a nature sanctuary forever.”
In Hunt Country, landowners seeking conservation easements typically work with organizations like LTV and PEC. The couple advises
Farm | Page 17
fellow property owners to consult with experts to determine eligibility, and to start early. “They guide you through the legal aspects, making it manageable and rewarding,” Lee explains. “We worked with an outside attorney specializing in conservation easements and eventually partnered with Ashton Cole at LTV, who now holds our easement.”
Each easement is legally binding and tailored to the property. In Jolee Farm’s case, an LTV land steward conducts annual visits to ensure compliance. Beyond securing the easement, Lee and Keating have worked diligently to enhance the land, planting hundreds of trees, restoring a stream and pond, and creating wildflower meadows. They also collaborate with specialists to preserve century-old oaks and combat invasive species. “One of our greatest joys is watching wildlife thrive,” Lee says. “Hank, our resident blue heron, patrols the pond; American kestrels hover over the fields; bald eagles soar overhead; and fox kits play in the spring.” The farm has even welcomed visiting wild swans and a green heron.
The couple’s commitment extends beyond their property. They’ve partnered with the Smithsonian on various wildlife initiatives, including the Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) program, which is a project under the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute that promotes conservation through research, education, and community engagement. VWL conducts annual diversity surveys on private lands, providing crucial insights into local ecosystems.
They also work with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and Virginia Tech to study gray fox populations, which have declined across the Piedmont region. Researchers aim to understand the factors contributing to this trend, particularly in relation to competition from other species.
Another vital conservation effort is the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative, a collaboration between VWL, PEC, American Farmland Trust, and Quail Forever. The alliance partners with landowners in 16 counties to restore grassland habitats, benefiting both birds and farms. Jolee Farm participates by timing hay harvests to protect nesting birds as well as engaging in bird and invasive species studies, which are done on an annual basis.
“Our experience with conservation easements has been overwhelmingly positive,” Keating says. “It connected us with a community of like-minded landowners. We continue expanding wildlife habitats, planting more trees, maintaining meadows, and collaborating with conservation groups. We take pride in knowing that its natural beauty, wildlife, and ecological contributions will endure for years to come.”
“We actively support LTV through donations and events, but we also feel a strong responsibil-
“Our experience with conservation easements has been overwhelmingly positive. It connected us with a community of like-minded landowners.” – Keating
ity to encourage more landowners to consider conservation easements,” Lee emphasizes. “Many mistakenly believe being in ‘land use’ offers the same protections — but it does not. By spreading awareness, we hope to inspire more landowners to safeguard their land and local ecosystems for future generations.” ML
To learn more or get involved with VWL, visit vaworkinglandscapes.org/how-to-get-involved. For more information on LTV, visit landtrustva.org.
Top left: Jolee Farm. Bottom left: The property’s pond. Top right: And a small creek.
locals work to ProtEct VIRGINIA’S GRASSLAND BIRDS
Written by Bill Kent
If only grassland birds weren’t so good at hiding.
“You can easily miss a nest, even when you’re right on top of it,” October Greenfield, of the Piedmont Environmental Council, says. Also a co-coordinator of the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative (VGBI), Greenfield guides birders, farmers, landowners, and wildlife enthusiasts through Hunt Country grasslands during the spring nesting season.
“A lot of people are surprised to find out that some birds nest on the ground,” she shares. “Because we’ve been studying these habitats, we know where some of the nests are. But you never know what you’ll find until you look.”
Unlike birds that nest in trees, barns, or backyard birdhouses, grassland species choose hayfields, paddocks, and grassy wilderness areas bordering streams. From now through the end of June, species like the eastern meadowlark, grass-
hopper sparrow, bobolink, Savannah sparrow, and northern bobwhite quail will weave intricate nests, forage, and take cover in a hidden habitat that they share with box turtles, foxes, and the occasional fawn.
“To us, it might look like an empty, overgrown field,” Greenfield continues. “But to grassland birds, it’s home.”
This home is becoming harder for birds to find. “There’s no single cause,” Greenfield adds. But encroaching development, data centers, landscaping, agricultural intensification, and other land uses that require the elimination of grasslands “have all put pressure on our grassland ecosystems.”
Doug Tallamy, professor of agriculture and natural resources at the University of Delaware, has the statistics. “Over the last 50 years, we’ve lost 3 billion breeding birds in this country,” he says. “Restoring these populations must be a pri-
ority because birds help maintain a productive ecosystem. Preserving those ecosystems is not optional. They are the life support for humans, no matter where we live.”
VGBI’s intentions, Tallamy adds, “are right on. Getting this message to landowners is essential.”
Formed in 2021, the Initiative seeks to do just that. A collaboration between the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes, the American Farmland Trust, and Quail Forever, VGBI covers 16 Commonwealth counties, from Loudoun and Clarke in the north to Albemarle and Augusta in the south.
According to VGBI Coordinator Justin Proctor, a Smithsonian conservation biologist, the Orange County Hounds and the Blue Ridge Hunt have been very supportive of VGBI’s efforts to catalyze more wildlife conservation on private
Grassland | Page 19
Left: The VGBI team. Photo by Brooke McDonough. Right: Map of VGBI’s working areas. Courtesy of VGBI.
Grassland | From page 18
lands in Hunt Country.
“We have had phenomenal support from members of the hunt clubs, landowners, and farmers alike,” Proctor says. “There is so much interest in supporting our native wildlife that we never find ourselves having to cold call. People reach out to us.”
Among the first to call were Melissa and Mark Winchester at Westbourne, after attending a luncheon at sculptor Diana Reuter-Twining’s Bull Run Farm with Dr. Amy Johnson, director of Virginia Working Landscapes. “The message about protecting grassland birds was captivating and inspiring,” Melissa Winchester says. “I left the presentation feeling like not only did we want to do something to protect grassland birds, but that we could easily take measures to protect them.”
Proctor showed the Winchesters what VGBI calls “best management practices,” like leaving winter cover in place, implementing rotational grazing, and delaying the first cut of hay until the first of July. Proctor recalls that “within a year, they transformed hundreds of acres into productive bird habitat by making small tweaks to their haying and mowing regimes. These practices lead to improved soils, better water retention, and an increase in ecosystem services, resulting in a landscape more resilient to drought, floods, and disease.”
The Winchesters also installed nest boxes around the farm, planted native grasses, and restored riparian buffers. Their immediate result was an increase in birds, and with them, birdsong. “Most importantly,” Melissa adds, “we have seen our own interest and understanding of the ecology and biodiversity of our farm grow.” The Winchesters have become ambassadors for VGBI and other conservation organizations, hosting events for
schools as well as landowners who want to learn more about how these practices can be successfully implemented.
Because many Virginia farms cut hay in the early springtime, VGBI offers financial compensation to farmers willing to let 20 acres or more of their hay crop stand until July 1. Sam Grant of Silcott Springs Farm in Middleburg and Round Hill is one of 46 who have participated so far.
The result? An increase in “bird listeners and watchers visiting the property to identify species,” Grant says.
VBGI’s work doesn’t stop there. The organization is advocating for a paddock track system that promotes equine health while simultaneously providing rest and recovery for interior pastures (to be demonstrated at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center on April 17) as well as enhanced farming techniques, such as raising the height of hay mowers during the nesting season and developing a modern “flushing bar” that helps farm machinery avoid hitting wildlife in the fields.
Proctor says VBGI also advises landowners who live in more developed areas on how to manage their smaller “grasslands.”
“We are not against suburban lawns. What we want people who have them to think about is, what would happen if you had a small area of your lawn — say, 10% of it — that you can devote to native plants and wildflowers?” he suggested. “If adopted across the board nationally, this would result in close to 4 million acres of restored habitats, and it would immediately lower the cost, in terms of fertilizer, seed, pesticides, and labor, of having the lawn.” To accomplish this, VBGI offers free events, workshops, demonstrations, and tours year-round.
“Our initiative is already five years old,” Proctor says, “yet the momentum continues to grow.” ML
Top: Savannah sparrow. Photo by October Greenfield. Middle: Bobolink. Photo by Martin Colombo. Bottom: Eastern meadowlark. Photo by Percy Ulsamer.
Upcoming Events
• April 13 - The PEC Annual Bluebell Walk on Cedar Run in Catlett, VA.
• April 17 - Pasture Perfect, paddock demonstration, at the MARE Center. Tickets are $20 and include lunch.
• April 24 - Pasture Perfect, on-farm demonstration, at Free Union, VA. Tickets are $20 and include lunch.
• May 3 - Native Tree Giveaway at Gilbert’s Corner in Aldie, VA. Attendees can get free native plants that help restore or promote wildlife habitats.
• May 9 - Birding Walk at PEC’s Roundabout Meadows at Mount Zion Park, VA.
• May 16 - Spring Nature Walk at PEC’s Piedmont Memorial Overlook in Paris, VA.
• May 31 - Wildflower Walk in Aldie, VA.
For more information on the above events, visit vagrasslandbirds.org or pecva.org.
Made in England exclusively for Horse Country, our stunning hats are one of a kind—only one of each, so you’ll never see another just like yours. Perfect for the Kentucky Derby, Virginia Gold Cup, weddings, garden parties, and any event where making an unforgettable impression is a must!
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540-347-3141
60 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, Virginia 20186 www.HorseCountryCarrot.com
Bird walk at Sky Meadows State Park with PEC fellows. Photo by Hugh Kenny.
Become a CSLI Fellow
n The C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program offers a tuition-free year of intensive training that leads to significant life-change. n The program prepares each Fellow to live a powerful transformed life in their church, their community and in their workplace. n It involves Bible stud y, classic readings, lectures, group discussion, personal mentoring and accountability–all in the context of a small group of likeminded believers. n The program is designed to be achievable even for busy professionals with families. n Join the Fellows Program and learn to live as a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ and make an impact for Him in the world.
Consider Joining Us for the 2025-2026
County Fellows Program. To apply or for more information, please visit:
The Plains – From the Manor house to the manicured gardens, grounds, dependencies and hundreds of acres of land with protected view-sheds, Oakendale is an exquisite horse country estate. John Coles | 540-270-0094
Marshall – c. 1828 Stone Manor, 7 BRs / 8.5 BAs and 8 fireplaces. Traditional yet elegant with comfortable family spaces. Blue Ridge Mtn views, barn, log cabin, tenant house and workshop. Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201
Middleburg – The manor house, ca. 1925, is a 22 room home w/ many upgrades, sited to make the most of the stunning natural landscape, with Goose Creek River frontage and Bull Run Mtn views. John Coles | 540-270-0094
The Plains – Rare offering within 5 miles of Middleburg!!! Build a country estate with
Middleburg – Restored to its 1910’s glory when owned by a founding member of American Foxhound Club and Master of PFH. Huntland is not just a name, but the very essence of the estate. John Coles | 540-270-0094
Boyce – The estate features a federal style manor house (circa 1839) which has been beautifully refinished, updated and expanded. Also: charming guest house and 8-stall barn.
John Coles | 540-270-0094 LIMESTONE FARM 67 acres | $6,950,000
Middleburg – Ideally located with spectacular views in a gorgeous setting. 4 BR / 4 BA is in the heart of “Hunt and Wine Country.” Private, spacious and charming. 8 stall stable, 5 fenced paddocks.
Jim McGowan | 703-927-0233 DOVER HILL 25 acres | $2,850,000
MARTINGALE RIDGE .44 acres | $1,895,000
Middleburg – Care free living within the 340-acre, 5-Star Salamander Resort. Move-in ready house features a minimalistic approach that blends rustic elements with contemporary design.
Cricket Bedford | 540-229-3201
1026 ARMISTEAD .51 acres | $749,900
Winchester – 5 BRs / 4 BAs, classic brick colonial in sought-after Meadow Branch. Large corner lot–just over one half acre. Plenty of space for the whole family!
Cary Embury 540-533-0106 | Wayne Wilson 540-622-8520
Since 1967 Thomas & Talbot has managed the purchase or sale of almost every property in Horse Country. We attribute much of our success to the specialization and expertise of our agents, who have life long relationships in the community. Today, we continue to open doors to this marvelous way of life, which has never been more desirable.
FavoritE Photos From thE PiEdmont EnvironmEntal council Photo
Founded in 1972, the Piedmont Environmental Council has a mission to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont while building stronger, more sustainable communities. As part of that mission, it holds a photography contest each year highlighting the wildlife and beauty of the region. Below, members shared their favorite submissions from Loudoun and Fauquier counties over the years. For more information on PEC and its work, visit pecva.org
Early bird until 4/30: $125 a ticket/$1000 table of 8
5/1:
a
of
Photo by Dorothy Kray
Photo by Tiffany Lee
Photo by Jim Emery
Photo by Matt Huntley
Photo by Jim Emery
Photo by Chris Hamilton
Photo by Dorothy Kray
Photo by Alden & Zavier Peterson
Emmanuel Episcopal Opens Its Doors to A PLACE TO BE
Written by Lia Hobel | Photos by Michael Butcher
The story of A Place To Be began in Middleburg in 2010 and, with the help of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, its chapters in the town are still being written. “When I hear and see the clients coming into the building, I know something good is happening,” says Reverend Gene LeCouteur.
After A Place To Be moved its facility to Leesburg earlier this year, LeCouteur opened the entire top floor of the Parish House so the nonprofit could continue to offer music therapy services to clients in Middleburg and the surrounding areas. “Our Parish House is accessible for people with mobility issues. There are ramps, an elevator, doors wide enough for wheelchairs, and a parking lot so they do not have to rely on street parking,” LeCouteur explains. He also says the church was happy to offer its space to APTB because the two organizations have closely aligned missions. “So much of what is in the Bible is about God’s care for those who have unique challenges and needs. Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, and Peter all performed miraculous
healing for people whom others had given up on,” he says. “At Emmanuel, we see APTB working like those healers, never giving up on anyone no matter the challenges.”
Tom Sweitzer, one of the cofounders of the
nonprofit and a resident of Middleburg, says they’re grateful for the space and the continued ability to provide services to those who live nearby. “It gives us a permanent connection to the town,” he shares.
A Place To Be cofounder Tom Sweitzer plays around on some drums.
LeCouteur first met cofounders Sweitzer and Kim Tapper in November 2017. Some members of the church’s congregation were involved with APTB services or on the board. “Everyone was so proud of the work they were doing and wanted me to know them and know about their work,” LeCouteur remembers. “Since then, we have shared space with APTB for performances and some classes when they needed extra space. We talked off and on about how there might be space here for them on a more permanent basis. When their move to Leesburg became a reality, I was so excited that they wanted to have their place to be in Middleburg at the Parish House.”
When APTB began 15 years ago, Sweitzer says they only had 25 clients and two employees. The choice to move to a 7,500-square-foot
space in the Village at Leesburg was the result of a demographic study that showed over 75% of clients were traveling to Middleburg from Leesburg, Purcellville, and Sterling, with a few going
Place | Page 27
Place | From page 26
an even greater distance for the nonprofit’s services. In addition, the organization has grown to 30 staff members, 11 full-time music therapists, and close to 300 families that visit APTB per week, now with room to serve more. Of the relationship with Emmanuel, Sweitzer says, “The great part about still being here is that if anyone is from here or Fauquier, Winchester, Warrenton, The Plains, this is so much easier for them to get to than driving to Leesburg.”
In addition to the space at Emmanuel, the office headquarters for APTB remains in Middleburg at 4 W. Federal Street on the second floor. “Without the community of Middleburg, we would not be here,” Sweitzer finishes. ML
Sweitzer poses with a harp.
Season of Renewal
Spring ushers in fresh beginnings at Salamander Spa with innovative treatments that harmonize with nature’s awakening. Our new seasonal offerings blend time-honored techniques with botanical elements to revitalize both body and spirit. Step into our tranquil sanctuary and embark on a restorative journey, mirroring the rebirth unfolding in the Virginia landscape around us.
SATURDAY, MAY 10
SATURDAY, MAY 10
11:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
11:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
SATURDAY, MAY 10
south madison st & federal st middleburg va
south madison st & federal st
middleburg va
more than 35 exhibitors on s. madison & w. federal streets
11:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. south madison st & federal st
middleburg va
foxes on the fence exhibit
more than 35 exhibitors on s. madison & w. federal streets
foxes on the fence exhibit art can help street food & wine & beer gardens activities for kids
art can help street food & wine & beer gardens activities for kids
more than 35 exhibitors on s. madison & w. federal streets
foxes on the fence exhibit
Holy Week & Easter Services & Events 2025
Sunday, April 13th - Palm Sunday
8:00am Traditional spoken Eucharist with Passion narrative
10:30am Choral Eucharist with Passion narrative
5:00pm Celtic Evening Prayer & Eucharist
Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th April – each day
12:00pm Eucharist & Holy Week reflection
Thursday, April 17th - Maundy Thursday
7:30pm Eucharist & Stripping of the Altar, followed by Gethsemane Prayer Vigil, through the night
THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU
www.trinityupperville.org
Friday, April 18th - Good Friday
10:30am Stations of the Cross, walking to the Outdoor Sanctuary - for all ages
11:30am Hot Cross Bun Coffee Hour, Cox Hall
12:00pm Seven Last Words: Good Friday liturgy of readings & music
7:00pm Were You There? A program of music exploring the events of Holy Week
Sunday, April 20th - Easter Day
6:15am Easter Sunrise Service (walk out 6:00am to the Outdoor Chapel)
8:00am Traditional Eucharist
10.30am Choral Eucharist
11:30am Family Easter Egg Hunt No evening service on Easter Day
“THE BIRDS OF AMERICA” comE to liFE at nslm
Written by Diane Helentjaris | Images courtesy of the National Sporting Library & Museum
This year, dovetailed exhibits at the National Sporting Library & Museum will offer an unprecedented experience to museumgoers and nature lovers. In “Intrepid Audubon: The Birds of America,” a first edition of John James Audubon’s “The Birds of America” will be on display in the museum. The exhibit will focus
on the oversized bound folios, with each of the four volumes open to strategic pages. An interactive touch screen will give access to all images. Other associated materials, including an original copper plate used to print one of the illustrations, will also be on display.
A second, complementary exhibit in the Li-
brary, “Drawn to Nature: 300 Years of Natural History Illustration,” will detail the development of the area of study leading up to Audubon. Both have been created in partnership with the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, VA.
“The Birds of America” plays an unrivaled
Birds | Page 31
“Virginian Partridge,” 1830, John James Audubon (American, 1785–1851). Hand-colored engraving, 24 ⅜ x 36 inches. Gift of the 2014 Collectors Circle, National Museum of Wildlife Art.
part in the history of American conservation and wildlife art. John James Audubon was born in St. Domingue, modern-day Haiti, in 1785 to a French sugar plantation owner and his servant. Raised in France, Audubon immigrated to the United States as a teen. Initially a failed businessman familiar with the bleak reality of debtor’s prison, he became a self-taught artist and naturalist with significant skill and ingenuity.
After honing his artistry and with the support of his wife, he set off to document the birds of
in England. His popularity blossomed… He was a self-promoter [who] painted himself as a rugged individualist.”
“The Birds of America” was sold by subscription. Preparation and printing spanned 1827 through 1838. This initial version, known as the Double Elephant Folio for its paper size, was sold in four volumes with a spine of 39 inches. The book documented 489 bird species.
Audubon’s unique style was to depict birds going about their typical activities within their natural habitat. Earlier wildlife illustrators often
the New World. However, his impolitic behavior annoyed the American ornithology community, and his professional efforts in the States began to fizzle. In 1826, he left the U.S. for England, where he found the support he needed to bring “The Birds of America” into existence. According to Colleen Yarger, Ph.D., curator of “Drawn to Nature” and NSLM’s George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Curator of Library Collections, he “became a rock star
There were no telephoto lenses or cameras available to Audubon. He observed birds in the field to learn about their behavior and habitat and relied on hunted specimens to decipher their markings. He innovated a mounted wire system to create realistic compositions. His full-scale images, often coupled with lush foliage, delivered a walloping visual impact. The generous size of the paper enhanced accuracy as he could compare the exact measurements of the dead birds with his sketches or painted images.
Classification systems of animals and plants
had their animals posed woodenly against a nearly blank background. Audubon’s bobwhite quail huddle and flap about in grassland, their beaks open in terror, as a red-shouldered hawk attacks, and swamp grass backs his roseate spoonbill. He includes multiple versions of many birds to depict different stages of maturation or help the viewer distinguish the sexes in a species, and the birds are illustrated life-size.
were still evolving. Then, as now, discovering a new species was a remarkable achievement. Some scholars believe competition was a major driver for Audubon’s work, and that he wanted to outdo earlier ornithologists in the number of species he identified.
The edition featured in NSLM’s exhibit is on
Left: “Whip-poor-will,” 1830, John James Audubon. Robert Havell Jr., engraver (English, 1793–1878). Engraving, 25 ½ x 20 ½ inches. The Morgan D. Delaney and Osborne Phinizy Mackie Collection. Second: “Snowy Heron,” 1835, John James Audubon. Hand-colored engraving, 24 ¾ x 20 ½ inches. Gift of Joanne and David Stokes, National Museum of Wildlife Art. Third: “White-crowned Pigeon,” 1833, John James Audubon. Robert Havell Jr., engraver. Engraving, 25 ¼ x 20 ½ inches. The Morgan D. Delaney and Osborne Phinizy Mackie Collection. Right: “Ferruginous Thrush,” 1831–34, John James Audubon. Robert Havell Jr., engraver. Engraving, sight size 38 ¾ x 25 inches. The Morgan D. Delaney and Osborne Phinizy Mackie Collection. Birds | Page 32
Birds | From page 31
loan from the Oak Spring Garden Foundation. According to Yarger, this set of four volumes has been examined by scholars who “say they are the most brilliantly colored examples of these. They haven’t faded at all. These are pristine.” She believes this is because they were “so carefully stored by Mr. and Mrs. Mellon, and after them by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation,” and adds that they are “one of the most striking first editions of Audubon’s Double Elephant Folio you’ll see today… They don’t make books like this anymore.” To preserve its condition, the books are not routinely on display.
A natural lead-in to “Intrepid Audubon,” NSLM’s “Drawn to Nature: 300 Years of Natural History Illustration” covers the burgeoning studies in natural history prior to Audubon’s work. Books, texts, framed prints, and other materials are on loan from OSGF, the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Wyoming, and multiple private collections. Yarger says, “Audubon hits a peak, the apogee of that art form. On display are the people who set the benchmark broken by [that] next generation. Everyone was in competition to set their work apart.”
These two exhibitions will be open from April 12 through September 13, 2025. On Saturday, April 12, the museum will host “Coffee with the Curator for ‘Intrepid Audubon: The Birds of America’ and ‘Drawn to Nature: 300 Years of Natural History Illustration.’” Coffee and pastries will be served and followed by a special one-hour guided tour. Tickets and more event details are available online at nationalsporting.org.
Over time, Audubon’s name has become synonymous with conservation. Claudia Pfeiffer, curator of “Intrepid Audubon” and NSLM’s George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Deputy Director & Head Curator, describes him as “a hunter-naturalist, an art-
tist, a mythmaker. His ability to tell a story and promote himself gained momentum in England, where he creates a persona as a frontiersman, [an] intrepid personality in the wilds of America.”
In recent years, the fact that Audubon was an enslaver has come to the fore and negatively affected his reputation. During his lifetime, he was also accused of scientific misconduct. Modern research has upheld claims that not all his data was accurate. Yet, his impact as an artist and naturalist is undeniable. As an artist-naturalist, Audubon succeeded in his mission to document and share the fantastic birds living in America nearly 200 years ago.
This year, the State of the Birds 2025 report by the U.S. Committee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, a public-private partnership, found persistent losses of the continent’s bird population. Over the past 50 years, “a third of all American bird species” has become at “high or moderate concern due to low populations, declining trends, or other threats.” The report estimates a net loss of 3 billion birds during this period, though it confirms that bird-friendly policies and conservation efforts can be effective in preserving the birds in our world.
Among others, Audubon’s “The Birds of America” includes images of the passenger pigeon. During his lifetime, this mourning-dovelike bird flew overhead in sky-darkeningly huge flocks. Under the stresses of overhunting and habitat loss, the species evaporated. The last known passenger pigeon, named Martha, died at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914. Four other extinct birds and three “most likely” extinct are in his publication. Audubon’s exquisite images remind us not only of the wonderful birds that surround us, but also of what has been lost and what is at risk. ML
For more information, visit nationalsporting.org.
Top: “Plants and fruit,” 1685–1730, American School. Watercolor and ink. Oak Spring Garden Foundation. Middle: “Reddish Egret,” 1860 edition, John James Audubon. Julius Bien, lithographer (American, 1826–1909). Chromolithograph, sight size 22 ½ x 34 ¾ inches. The Morgan D. Delaney and Osborne Phinizy Mackie Collection. Bottom: “Sarracenia foliis gibbis. Hort Cliff. (Sarracenia purpurea, American pitcher plant),” 1764, Georg Dionysius Ehret (German, 1708–70). Watercolor and body color on vellum, 18 x 13 ⅛ inches. Oak Spring Garden Foundation.
Educating the Next Generation of Naturalists at Wakefield School
Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos courtesy of Wakefield School
Sitting on 62.8 acres of sprawling countryside in The Plains, Wakefield School is an ideal place to study any subject, and as Head of School Ashley Harper explains, the campus is uniquely suited for outdoor education. From the butterfly garden to a row of Civil War-era white oaks, the campus lends itself to the nature-focused curriculum that Harper believes will en-
Wakefield School.
courage students to be “stewards of the future.”
The outdoor education program at Wakefield has “existed in various forms for a long time,” she shares, “but in the last three years, we’ve been much more intentional about aligning it with our mission and values.” Harper continues, “We’ve been expanding our environmental science curriculum, developing new courses — whether that
be local ecology, Advanced Placement environmental science, or the Junior Master Gardener program in our Lower School.”
At Wakefield, outdoor learning is “intentionally built into the curriculum,” Harper explains. “Students experience a little bit of everything over time before specializing. As they get older, they have more opportunities to focus on specific areas through their elective choices.”
As examples, first graders will learn about the butterfly’s life cycle, weather patterns, plants, animals, and insects using Wakefield’s grounds as the classroom. In middle school, the curriculum continues to encourage curiosity with trips to the JK Community Farm highlighting the potential of sustainable farming as a solution for local food insecurity. Once in the Upper School, conservation ecology, local ecology, and environmental science are among the offerings for students still interested in the natural world.
Working with local groups is part of the program, too. Karissa Epley, Wakefield’s director of development, notes, “With Oak Spring Garden Foundation, we have curated several field trips … that the students will be taking this spring. We have worked with the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy for a very long time doing summer camps. We’ve had conversations with the Piedmont Environmental Council about curriculum integration and how we can [teach] everything from the economics of solar to soil sciences.”
Community and student reception of the program has been “exceptional,” Harper says. “People are excited about it and eager for more. We’re in the exploratory stages of fully integrating this into our campus, working with experts in the field to envision what our educational offerings will look like in two, five, or even 15 years as we bring this mission to life.”
Wakefield is also tapping into a generation-specific need. “Through research, professional development studies, and parent discussions at the school, we’ve seen how the rise of technology — especially smartphones — impacts students’ daily lives [and] has created a need for more grounding.” She continues, “We know they need more time in nature, more opportunities to disconnect from technology, and more real-life
Naturalists | Page 35
experiences.”
Harper hopes that the program at Wakefield can inspire other schools in the area and beyond.
“With the conservation and stewardship in our area … we serve as a beacon and an example from a larger community standpoint of what the world can accomplish when like-minded people work together to conserve something that is really important to them,” she emphasizes.
“That is part of the ethos of what we are trying to accomplish here: help students understand who they are
in this world and that they have the agency and opportunity to act. And, that we have a responsibility to care for the world around us.”
Even beyond fostering respect for the natural world, however, outdoor education can be a positive influence on all aspects of students’ lives. It “benefits us emotionally, cognitively, [even] spiritually,” Harper says. “It becomes a way for us to teach agency, action, policy, and responsibility. It’s the lens through which we can live our mission of developing the character, curiosity, and clear voices that the world needs.” ML
CHARACTER. CURIOSITY. CLEAR VOICES.
Top: Studying outside. Bottom: Students tend to a plant.
THE LATITUDES LEGACY CARRIES ON
Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos by Callie Broaddus
When asked about the origin of Latitudes Fair Trade, owner Lee Owsley laughs, “It does go way far back.” Owsley and her husband, Terry, opened their initial location in Warrenton as a pop-up 14 years ago, but the inspiration behind the shop tracks back even further.
“It goes back to when I was teaching and I got a grant to do a Spanish immersion — two weeks in Guatemala. While there, I took a weaving class with a co-op of Mayan women.” She continues, “On the way home, I realized that I had bought some of their products to give as gifts but that they needed a much better market platform… Wouldn’t it be cool to have a store on Main Street and sell their things and things from around the world?”
Inspiration came from Uganda, too. Owsley remembers, “A friend who was a missionary in Uganda would send me the jewelry that the women made. I would sell it at church yard sales and send her back the money. My thought was I could fill a shop with things from Uganda and Guatemala.”
She admits, “But I knew nothing about running an actual store.”
Inexperience in retail didn’t dissuade her. In addition to learning the ins and outs of a pointof-sale system, she took an introductory class
with the Small Business Association. “They were really helpful,” Owsley notes, adding, “I did online tutorials and I interviewed people from other stores. I did a fair amount of research before actually diving in.”
But beyond standard practices, Owsley went a step further. “There is an organization called the Fair Trade Federation, where [businesses] go through a rigorous set of checks before they can become members.” Once approved as a member, they’re expected to comply with the nine principles of fair-trade businesses. “Having safe and empowering working conditions, ensuring the rights of children, cultivating environmental stewardship,” Owsley lists as examples. “There is a very big push to be eco-conscious.”
Protecting cultural, racial, and ethnic identity when sourcing inventory is part of the requirement too, while encouraging the creation of items that will perform in the shop. Owsley explains, “The idea is to help people make things that will sell on an ongoing basis. They need to make things that [consumers] want to buy, but it still needs to reflect the cultural identity of the people that are making it.”
From an early start in Guatemala and Uganda, the inventory available at Latitudes Fair Trade now represents 40 different countries and rough-
“There is a very big push to be eco-conscious.” – Owsley
Top: Lee Owsley. Bottom: The downtown Warrenton location.
“Everything has been running smoothly for 14 years now.” – Neale
ly 90 different groups of artisans across three locations: Warrenton, Staunton, and Fredericksburg. In addition to the one-of-a-kind quality of items like capiz shell wind chimes from Bali, lotus blossom coasters from India, or coconut stud earrings from Ghana, purchases made at Latitudes uniquely empower marginalized communities and especially women. “There are so many instances of how it’s helped women. If women can be seen as producing income, it can really raise
her esteem in the eyes of her husband or the community. It gives women peer models for authority and decision-making,” Owsley shares. She notes that many women who start as workers end up as group leaders.
Owsley believes the benefit extends to her local community, as well. “What’s good for the world is good for us — a rising tide raises all boats,” she says. “Even though the products aren’t made in the United States, [that] doesn’t mean it isn’t ultimately good for people who live in the
United States… We’re a small business, a family-run business, and we give a lot back to our community.”
Owsley acknowledges that fair-trade products can’t cover all consumer needs, but encourages shoppers to make small adjustments to their buying habits where they can.
“If people shift a little bit of their shopping to fair trade, it goes a long way.”
A small shift is happening at Latitudes, too.
On July 1, Kelsey Neale, Owsley’s daughter and the store’s manager, will take over the Warrenton location from Owsley full time. Her other daughter runs the Staunton outpost, and family friends own the Fredericksburg spot. Of any potential changes to the shop, Neale says, “I’m sure organic changes will happen because we are all different, but I don’t have any big changes to make.”
She continues, “Everything has been running smoothly for 14 years now. We’ll change with the times and the trends, but I don’t plan on changing something that is working well.”
As for Owsley’s plans? “I’m up to seven grandchildren now, so I am hoping I’ll get to be more available to them.” She adds, “I like to sew, to do art quilts, so I am hoping to spend more consistent, focused time on that. And my husband and I really like to travel. We’ve gone on 13 trips to visit our artisan groups for the store, but now we can travel just for pleasure.” ML
Top left: The inventory reflects the arrival of spring. Top right: Journals and stationery from around the world. Bottom left: A map showing Owsley’s global partners. Bottom right: Owsley minding the racks.
Scenes from the 2025 Warrenton Hunt Point-to-Point
MARCH 15 |
AIRLIE COURSE, WARRENTON, VA
Photos by Caroline Gray
Photos by Camden Littleton
Outdoor
Our Favorite Local Eco Gifts
Photos by Callie Broaddus
Seed
Whale Song Writing Paper, $15, Available at Middleburg Books
Terra-Cotta Automatic Waterer, $30, Available at Nature Composed
Plant-based Topical Pain Relief, $35, Available at Chloe’s of Middleburg
Adventure Cards, $14, Available at The PLAYroom
Pops, $6, Available at Tri-County
Vintage Entomology 1,000-Piece Puzzle, $28, Available at Crème de la Crème
Linen Pillows, $125 - $295, Available at The Town Duck
Lined Nature Notebook, $6.99, Available at Warrenton Market
Felt Ball Coasters, $27.50, & Trivet, $24, Available at Latitudes Fair Trade
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MASTERS PARTY AT LOST BARREL BREWING
April 10 - 13 | 12 to 8 p.m. | lostbarrel.com
Watch the Masters at Lost Barrel Brewing’s ultimate viewing party. The weekend will include golf-themed drinks, Masters-inspired bites, Augusta-inspired décor, live event coverage, and more! Guests can also shop for jewelry and browse a charm bar from Ransom and a hat bar from Hat Pin by Angie.
MIDDLEBURG WELLNESS DAY
April 12 | 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. | middleburgva.gov
Spend a day focused on wellness at the annual Middleburg Wellness Day. Start the morning with the 5K or Kids Fun Run and stick around for the wellness fair, which features health and wellness vendors and activities. To register for the run, visit: runsignup.com/Race/VA/Middleburg/MiddleburgWellnessDayKKidsFunRun
FLIGHTS & FLOWERS AT CHRYSALIS WINERY
April 12 | 4 to 5 p.m. | chrysaliswine.com
Enjoy an afternoon of wine and floral fun while you sip delicious wine and create a charming Easter-inspired arrangement. Participants will enjoy a wine flight of their choice. This event is for guests 21 and over. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.
MIDDLEBURG SPRING RACES
April 19 | 10 a.m. | middleburgspringraces.com
Usher in the arrival of spring at the Middleburg Spring Races at Glenwood Park. Gates open at 10 a.m. with the first race running at 1 p.m. General admission is $25 and offers access to the Parade Ring Paddock, vendors, food trucks, and family fun area. Reserved parking and tailgating tickets are available, too.
ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT AT GREENHILL VINEYARDS
April 19 | 12 & 3 p.m. | experiencegreenhill.com
Don’t miss Greenhill Vineyards’ Sixth Annual Adult Easter Egg Hunt. With slots at 12 and 3 p.m., the two-hour session will have over 500 eggs hidden and plenty of prizes, including treats, discounts, and merchandise. While hunting, enjoy a class of 2022 Blanc de Blancs or a mimosa. The event is limited to 50 guests per session, so be sure to reserve early. Tickets are $45 for non-members and $40 for club members.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT OLD BUST HEAD
April 19 | 12 to 4 p.m. | oldbusthead.com
Celebrate Earth Day at Old Bust Head with a community-oriented event focused on sustainability, conservation, and regenerative agriculture. The event will include hands-on activities, eco-conscious vendors, and information from organizations making a difference like 4P Foods.
Calendar | Page 43
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Calendar | From page 42
There will also be a wildlife meet and greet at 2 p.m.
MIDDLEBURG HUMANE FOUNDATION’S
DENIM & DIAMONDS GALA
April 26 | 6 p.m. | middleburghumane.org
Wear your best denim, diamonds, or ’70s disco attire and give back to the Middleburg Humane Foundation in style. The event will be held at the Middleburg Barn featuring fare by Susan Gage Caterers and music by DC Transit Band. Tickets are available through the foundation’s website. For more information or any questions, email karen.shannon@middleburghumane.org.
35TH ANNUAL LEESBURG FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL
April 26 - 27 | flowerandgarden.org
Make a weekend of the 35th Annual Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival hosted by the Town of Leesburg and presented by Loudoun Medical
Group. This is a family-friendly, free event with live entertainment, a landscape display showcase, family area, rooftop beer garden for adults, and 150 vendors selling flowers, plants, herbs, festival food, gardening supplies, and all things outdoor living.
WELLNESS RETREAT AT ASH SALON + SPA
April 27 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | salonash.com
Join the team at Ash Salon + Spa for a day of mind, body, and spirit rejuvenation at their Haymarket location. The morning will start with rooftop yoga followed by The Current, a strength-based dynamic movement class hosted by Ryan Ross. Ross will be one of two keynote speakers, along with Julie Boice, the owner of Arkhe Functional Medicine. Tickets are $20.
HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK IN MIDDLEBURG
April 27 - 28 | gcvirginia.org
Hosted by the Fauquier and Loudoun Garden
Club, the Middleburg section of Historic Garden Week will feature three properties just outside of town — Ellerslie, Benton, and The Pond House. Participants will get to experience the beauty of shady woodlands and open sunny meadows while they celebrate Virginia’s unique open spaces. Advanced tickets are $50 and day-of tickets are $60.
LTR’S PUTT FOR PONIES
April 28 | 11:30 a.m. | ltrf.org
Golf for a good cause at Raspberry Falls while supporting the mission of Loudoun Therapeutic Riding. In addition to a rousing round of golf, the event includes a cocktail and barbecue reception and awards ceremony! Registration is $200 per individual or $800 for a foursome. For more information, email katie@tmmgservices.com.
For more Hunt Country events, visit MiddleburgLife.com or scan here:
Elevated Flavors, Rooted in Tradition
Experience masterfully crafted dishes that celebrate the bounty of Virginia’s Piedmont region, where each plate tells a story of seasonal excellence and local tradition. Indulge in a Forbes Five-Star dining experience defined by innovative cuisine and exceptional attention to detail.
