Rappahannock County Conservation Alliance
Board of Directors Cheri Woodard, President (540) 987-8546 Larry Grove, Vice President (540) 987-8612 Fran Moore Krebser, Secretary (540) 631-0821 Steve Kerchner, Treasurer (540) 675-3905 Patricia Carle (540) 937-2605 James Dennis (703) 824-0078 Toni Egger (540) 987-8891 Judith Richards Hope (540) 675--2445 Gale Johnson (540) 635-4564 Susan Strittmatter (540) 364-4535 Alan Zuschlag (540) 937-6124 Emeritus Directors Louise King Eastham Hal Hunter Cliff Miller Sharon Pierce Executive Director Ashley Matthews Design & Editing Nighthawk Communications
Spring 2009
Sunnyside Will Host 2009 Rappahannock Evening View By Hal Hunter Some Rappahannockers still associate Sunnyside farm with David Cole, the AOL executive who bought Sunnyside in 1996, made it an organic farm, sold it in 2006, and left for sweet Hawaiian pineapples, leaving a sour taste in Rappahannock for some. Fortunately for Rappahannock, Cole sold Sunnyside (business name, The Farm at Sunnyside) to the Lapham family—Tony and Burks and their son and daughter-in-law, Nick and Gardiner. Tony was a dedicated conservationist who died suddenly only six weeks after the farm’s sale. At his death, he was chairman of American Rivers, served on the Rappahannock Krebser Fund board, and was a past trustee of the Ocean Conservancy, American Farmland Trust, National Audubon Society, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States. Tony’s wife, Burks, is a founder and chair of Concern, Inc., a national environmental education
organization focused on sustainable communities. She is a past trustee of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Nick has carried on his parents’ legacy of environmental conservation. He has held senior positions with the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, and the United Nations Foundation. He also served in the Clinton administration—first in the State Department and then on the White House Climate Change Task Force. Gardiner’s background is in public health. She worked previously at CARE, served as chair of the Washington Free Clinic, and now sits on the board of the Whitman–Walker Clinic. The Laphams have strong Rappahannock County roots. Tony and Burks bought property on the Jordan River off Crest Hill Road almost forty years ago. They built a lean-to for weekend camping but nothing more substantial because they wanted the property to stay the way they found it. One of Nick’s formative childhood memories is sitting on his father’s shoulders and inspecting the contents of the many bluebird houses the family put up there. The Laphams still Continued on next page Photo courtesy of Nick Lapham
12018 Lee Highway P.O. Box 116 Sperryville, VA 22740 (540) 987-9118 rcca1@earthlink.net www.rccava.org
Sunnyside farm in the fall
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Rappahannock Views
Spring 2009
Sunnyside, from previous page
own that land and put it into easement long ago. The Laphams have approached Sunnyside with three fundamental objectives. First they want the farm to be economically selfsustaining. They have maintained Saturday, May 16 its certified organic status and The Farm at Sunnyside grow vegetables, fruit, herbs, and Save the date! flowers. They sell their produce at Washington, Virginia Want to... two Washington, D.C., farmer’s markets, to several restaurants ɶɶ Celebrate and thank the easement donors of the past year? and stores (including the Inn at ɶɶ Support the county’s Farmland Preservation Program, which Little Washington and Epicurious eliminates development rights from land in agricultural use? Cow) and through a new commuɶɶ Ensure the continuation of our rural character, our open spaces, nity-supported agriculture (CSA) and our scenic vistas—all of which contribute to the quality of life that program. is uniquely Rappahannock? The CSA program started Then... as an experiment and has since Attend the 2009 Rappahannock Evening View, sponsored by RCCA! grown to several dozen members, It will be a memorable evening of cocktails, an elegant dinner, with additional expansion planned distinctive raffle packages, and one-of-a-kind live auction items— for 2009. Subscribers visit the with a striking Rappahannock view in the background. farm weekly to collect a selection of seasonal produce. Look for your invitation in April! Second, the Laphams aim to show that a viable farm can exist in harmony with a healthy and diverse ecosystem. In addition to its agricultural endeavors, Finally, the Laphams wish to anchor Sunnyside solidly within Sunnyside is undertaking a program of ecosystem restoration: the fabric of Rappahannock County. In addition to the local CSA planting native warm-season grasses, increasing habitat for polprogram, the farm is a strong supporter of Headwaters’ Farmlinators (such as bees and butterflies), and in general trying to to-Table initiative and active in efforts to provide better access to attract a wide array of indigenous wildlife. local food for Rappahannock school students. The Laphams granted a conservation easement on Sunnyside to To help achieve their goals, the Laphams rely on a full-time the Virginia Outdoors Foundation in 2008. Among the restrictions, staff. Key members of the current team are Michael Clune, dwellings are capped at the current number of eight, and no buildDirector of Farm Operations; Emily Cook, Vegetable Production ing is allowed above the 1,000-foot elevation mark on the property. Manager; and Nivardo Loya, who also worked for the Coles.
Fifth Annual
Rappahannock Evening View
History of Sunnyside The Sunnyside property was granted to German immigrant Henry Miller from Lord Fairfax in 1749. The 1,100acre tract was divided into two tracts, which were given to Miller’s sons George and Henry II in 1785. The 421-acre portion owned by Henry Miller II became what is today known as Sunnyside.
The property remained in the Miller family for two-anda-half centuries. Relatives through marriage who owned Sunnyside include the Keyser and Wood families. C.B. Wood, a local apple entrepreneur, planted the original commercial apple orchards on the property in the 1873.
Wood was renowned for his prize apples, which won awards throughout the state, at the Paris Exposition, and even from Queen Victoria.
The original dwelling was a two-story log structure, constructed in the late 1780s. A one- and-a-half-story kitchen wing was added around 1800. The dwelling was further expanded with a wood-frame addition around 1850. A modern two-story addition and a main-block renovation were completed in 1996. The Sunnyside main house was placed on the Virginia and National Registers of Historic Places in 2004.
Rappahannock Views
Annual Meeting Emphasizes Sustainable Farming By Steve Kerchner With more than 100 people in attendance, RCCA President Susan Strittmatter opened the Alliance’s annual meeting on November 9 by highlighting that in 1989 Rappahannock County had 9,826 acres in easement and today that number exceeds 27,000 acres. This progress reflects the collective effort of local conservation groups and the strong support of the Rappahannock community. It has been a great year for RCCA on other fronts as well. Highlights include... 33 Establishing a website (www.rccava.org) that provides comprehensive information on conservation easements and land protection tools 33 Developing a Farmland Preservation Program brochure that will be distributed to every RCCA’s 2008 Distinguished Rappahannock resident to boost Service Award recipients Louise, Lindsay, and Heidi Eastham the community’s knowledge and (above); and Nick, Gardiner, and support of the program Burks Lapham (right) 33 Contributing $20,000 to the Farmland Preservation Program from the proceeds of The Fourth Annual Rappahannock Evening View 33 Hosting two informational gatherings for prospective easement donors and our annual state tax credit seminar
Calendar March 10 Board Meeting April 21
Board Meeting
May 16
Rappahannock Evening View
June 16
Board Meeting
The public is welcome at all RCCA board meetings. For more information on any of these events, call the RCCA office at (540) 987-9118.
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33 Coordinating the wellreceived Estate Planning for Farmers Workshop 33 Incorporating a strategic planning process to fine tune RCCA’s mission. Great appreciation was expressed to DeEtte Axelson, Bob Dennis, Dr.Timothy LaSalle of the Louise Eastham, and Monira Rifaat, who have completed their board terms, Rodale Institute delivers the keynote address—on sustainand to Bill Dobrovir, who passed away able organic farming as a solution to global warming— this year.Their dedication and service at RCCA’s annual meeting. have resulted in significant contributions to the work of RCCA.Taking their places are new board members James Dennis,Toni Egger, Gale Johnson, and David Massie. These board members bring a wide array of experience and expertise to the RCCA board. (See our website for more details.) RCCA bestowed its second annual Distinguished Service Award on Louise King Eastham and the Eastham Family and Burks, Nick, and Gardiner Lapham of the Farm at Sunnyside for their contributions to land conservation in Rappahannock County. The conservation easements granted by both the Eastham and Lapham families were landmarks in the effort to preserve Rappahannock’s County’s open spaces. Following the business activities of the meeting, Dr. Timothy LaSalle, Chief Executive Officer of the Rodale Institute, gave the keynote address. The institute researches and promotes sustainable organic farming as a solution to global warming. In his address, LaSalle characterized agriculture as an undervalued and underestimated climate-change tool that could be one of the most effective tools in combating global warming. According to LaSalle, modern agriculture relies on methods that are not sustainable. These farming practices break down soil carbon into carbon dioxide that is subsequently released into the atmosphere contributing to global warming. Current data also indicate that nearly 20 percent of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions are the result of agriculture use of herbicides and chemical fertilizers. Organic farming, on the other hand, stores or sequesters carbon in the soil by removing it from the air. This sequestration of carbon in the soil enhances farming results and reduces the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Additional benefits to be gained from organic farming include enhanced nutrition, increased yields, and reductions in erosion and run-off. For more details on Rodale Institute’s activities, go to its website, www.rodaleinstitute.org.
Photos by Rac Boc
Spring 2009
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Between the last issue of the newsletter and the end of 2008, the total amount of private land in Rappahannock County that is in conservation easement climbed to 27,523 acres —20.2 percent of all private land in the county— through easements recorded on the following dates: 33 November 17—Roger and Kathryn Jones granted to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation an easement protecting an additional 95 acres of what was once Jessamine Hill. The easement merges four tax parcels into one parcel that may never be divided. The Jones easement abuts others protecting other portions of original Jessamine Hill, supports riparian buffers previously established under the CREP program, and includes building restrictions. 33 December 1—Lee and Laura Morris amended their 2005 easement in Flint Hill to add 19 additional acres but no new development rights. 33 December 3—Chris and Caroline Parrish amended their easement donation in the Viewtown area by merging a 51-acre existing lot and restricting future structures. 33 December 8—John Hitchen and Joseph Orme granted an easement to the Old Dominion Land Conservancy on 115 acres on Long Mountain Road. This easement fronts onto both the Rush and Covington Rivers. 33 December 18—Walter and Patricia Nicklin granted an easement to the Virginia Department of Forestry. Located along South Poe’s Road near Amissville, the easement merges four tax parcels into one parcel that may never be subdivided. With some restrictions, it allows an existing four-story cabin to be expanded to no more than 6,000 square feet. It also requires a Forest Stewardship Plan to govern forestry activities. The easement states that it protects most of Jefferson Mountain, which is described as one of the region’s “few geological monadnocks [a small, isolated mountain] that remains undeveloped.” 33 December 23—The Trope family granted to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation an easement protecting 149 acres within the proposed F. T. Valley Rural Historic District. The Trope property includes some of the upper slopes of Chancellor’s Mountain and fronts onto 950 feet of Route 231. This easement merges four tax parcels into one parcel that may never be divided into more than two pieces. 33 December 31—Phil Irwin granted to the Piedmont Environmental Council an easement protecting 20 acres on Fodderstack Road. This easement allows only one additional residential structure and provides for riparian buffers around an existing pond and along related streams.
Easement Update
Spring 2009
From the President... Dear Fellow Conservationists,
As I begin serving my new term as your president, I am thankful for the vision and leadership of our past president, Susan Strittmatter. The stalwart support and hard work of Executive Director Ashley Adams and our board of directors was also superb, and the generosity of our community was very gratifying. With everyone working together, 2008 was a year of remarkable accomplishments in community outreach, educational programs, communicating our mission, and building for the future. We had fun, we did good work, and we prospered. Most importantly, in 2008 more than 1,000 acres of land in Rappahannock County were protected forever. In 2009 we are looking at an austere financial climate in which everyone’s wallet is thinner. Some might see a year of problems. I prefer to think of it as a year of opportunities. In every time of change, there are opportunities to be had if we thoroughly understand the landscape. To that end, I am challenging the Board of Directors to view 2009 through a new lens. We must think in new ways, understand new motivations for conserving land, and develop new methods for financing our mission. Our overriding mission is to have 50 percent of eligible land in Rappahannock County placed in easement. A lesson I learned years ago is “you can’t manage it if you can’t measure it.” For us to make progress in our quest to conserve land, we must quantify the eligible land in Rappahannock County and build a database of owners. Using this data, we will develop specific strategies for communicating with each potential easement donor. With this new tool, we will manage our efforts and measure our progress. As important as our mission is, I think it is equally important that we enjoy ourselves in our work. Plan to join us at one of the most delightful events of the year, our annual land conservation gala, Rappahannock Evening View. You’ll catch up with old friends, meet new ones. This year it will be held at Sunnyside farm, a truly spectacular venue. It will be a great deal of fun, and your contribution will help further conservation in Rappahannock County. Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts and recommendations at cheri@cheriwoodard.com or (540) 9878546 . I look forward to hearing from you.
Cheri Woodard RCCA President
Spring 2009
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RCCA Contributors in 2008
RCCA Supports “Plant a Row” to Help Feed Rappahannock Families By Hal Hunter
Neil Rackham & Ava Abramovitz Suzy Reingold Paul Reisler & Julie Portman Randall & Carol Rieland Tom & Andrea Salley Catherine Scott David Scull Richard & Ester Settle V. R. Shackelford, III Gordon Smith Jeff & Jane Smith Elizabeth Stein Pete & Ann Stenner Beverly Stickles Alexander ter Weele Tony Trujillo Stansfield & Marion Turner John & Brenda Van Ness Charlie Westbrook Peter & Margy White, Jr. Glenn D. White, Jr. Stewart & Evelyn Willis Timothy Wirth Mitzi Young Gary & Jene Younkin Butch Zindel Continued on next page
The day I wrote this article, the Washington Post reported the most job cuts since 1974, unemployment at 6.7 percent and rising, and Ph quotes such as, “It is clear this economy is deteriorating with frightening speed and ferocity.” Rappahannock County is not immune. The Fauquier Food Bank reports a 200-percent increase in families served, including families from our county. The food bank provides processed food. Fresh vegetables arrive only one or two days a month, and only a few families visit on a day when vegetables are available. Rappahannock needs a reliable source of fresh produce for low-income families. The answer is the “Plant a Row” program. If you are planning a garden, plant an extra row for the hungry. The Rappahannock effort is being coordinated with Social Services, the Sheriff’s Office, fire and rescue units, and local schools, churches, farms, and nonprofit groups. If you would like to participate, send an email with your name, phone number, and email address to rcca1@earthlink.net or call (540) 987-9118. Someone will contact you about how you can contribute to a growing local need.
Jennifer & David Aldrich Gary Anthes Gordon & DeEtte Axelson Austin & Christine Bach Ralph & Gwen Bates John Beardsley & Steph Ridder Alan Dranitzke Wayland Jenkins, Jr. Anne Keiser & Doug Lapp J. Robert Kramer, II Jack Krumholtz Larry & Carol Kupperberg Jeffrey & Sondra LeHew Liotta, Dranitzke & Engel, LLP Cliff & Lucile Miller Scott Miller/Miller Foundation
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Patrons
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Michael & Rosina Barker Ted & Renate Chapman Bob & Barbara Dennis Stanley & Toni Ebner Doug & Deecy Ginsburg Brett Jackson Gale Johnson Steve & Lois Kerchner Robert Musser Frank & Geryl Pearl Rappahannock Hunt Monira Rifaat John & Beverly Sullivan Alan Zuschlag
Joyce Abell Jonathan & Nancy Achilles John & Katherine Anderson Dennis Barry Harold Beebout & Mary Francis leMat Rand & Bonnie Beers Bob & Diane Belford Lee Bird Matthew & Barbara Black R.O. Bridges Edgar & Janet Brenner Lea Browning Robert & Jean Clements Allan Comp & Selma Thomas
Judith Jones Proctor Jones Fran Moore Krebser Peter & Cathy Kreyling Mark & Karen Lawrence Richard & Dorothy Lessard Clare Lindsay & David Kennell Neil & Suzanne Lipsey Mike & Bette Mahoney John & Suzanne Martin Andy & Barbara McIntyre Nina McKee Dick & Jean McNear Carrie Miller & Jim Allenchey Jim Moorman Tod & Sally Morgan Tom & Robbie Morris Ralph & Wray Muoio Jack & Laura Overstreet Richard Parsons Richard Pelham & Cary Sklar Lonnie & Janice Perry Donovan & Katherine Picard
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Benefactors
Sustainers
James & Virginia Coulter Eldon Crowell Bob & Karen Darby John G. Dennis Bill & Linda Dietel Mary Dobrovir Louise King Eastham Paul Farmer James & Andrea Favareau Charles & Victoria Fortuna Greg Foster & Bonnie Ellis James Fuller & Catherine Porter Bill & Aleta Gadino Joe Gale & William Hopkins Hans & Christian Gerhard Thomas & Sheila Gresinger Grant Griffith James Halpern & Nancy Nord Geoffrey & Joan Hazzan Karl & Patricia Hepner, Jr. Cornish Hitchcock John Holsen Amy Isaacs Mary Katherine Ishee Barry & Patricia Johnston Bennett & Mary Johnston
Beverly H
Chuck & Dee Akre BAND Foundation Greve Foundation Thomas Glass Larry & Kathy Grove Judith Richards Hope Anthony Horan & Susan Trotter Hal & Beverly Hunter John Jacquemin Jennifer Manly Jerome & Lucille Niessen Charles & Susan Strittmatter Tax Analysts Martin & Cheri Woodard/ Roy Wheeler Realty
Stephen & Ruth Pollak Rappahannock Farm Bureau Rappahannock National Bank John Schafer Julia Thieriot Bob & Leslie Yarbrough Douglas Wise
te r
Conservators
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Contributors, from previous page
Sponsors Gregory & Allison Aliff Paul & Jeanette Barkley David & Maureen Blackwell Joseph & Madelyn Bonsignore Richard & Elizabeth Bouquet Kevin Brosch & Paula Howland John & Patricia Carle Tim & Merrill Carrington Cory Caulfield & Matthew Tucker Pat & Laurie Coady Linda Croxson & Philip Ward Paul & Cheryl D’Amato Mark & Karen Dick James Duffy & Susan Raines Reid Folsom Genevieve Frost Judith Gilman Geoffrey Gowen & Benita Rauda Karl & Mollie Habermeier Ann Harman Joyce Harman Dana Hearn Paul & Martha Henze Robert & Joan Herrema Rick Honig & Dita Verheij R.O. Hunton C. Loring & Marion Jetton, Jr. Chris & Elizabeth Johns Bruce & Susan Jones Rick & Kaye Kohler Ron & Jan Makela Jamie & Ashley Matthews John & Susan McCarthy Mark Merriner Joe & Lynne O’Kane Joseph & Meredith Oliver Erwin & Beth Opitz Patti McGill Peterson & Katie Woodward John & Jyl Pomeroy Nol Putnam & Susan Covington Dick & Nancy Raines Chuck & Jinney Raney Rappahannock CFC Farm & Home Center Steve Ray & Andrea Wooten Anthony Reed, Jr. Richard & Judy Reidinger David & Dudley Semmes Duane & Viviane Siler Joseph Svatos Patricia Tapp Joseph & Constance Tasker, Jr. Richard Thomas Patrick Thornton & Mary Jane Woolridge
Spring 2009
Rappahannock Views
Ed & Cathryn Timperlake Peter & Barbara Videnieks Tom & Caroline Walker Anne Yeoman Members Joe & Cynthia Abidin Todd & Tamara Benson Harold & Barbara Berman Bob & Marian Biddle Susan Cable Chris Carr Steve Carroll & Beth Gyorgy Norman & Sandra Cartwright-Brown Robert & Kathryn Chappell Thomas DeShazo Jack & Mary Dixon Hutcheson James & Janis Ennis Martin & Bonnie Every John & Marijke Ford Jyothi & Prasad Gadde Brian Gaul Garrick Giebel Anne Grenade George & Ruth Harrington Gwen Hays & Clyde Humphrey John Henry Russell & Betty Hitt Ginevra Hunter Bob Hurley & Heather Wicke Betty Jenkins C.E. Johnson, IV Marshall Jones & Clay Fulgham Jane Kelso Mike King & Karen Hunt Edward Loges Barbara Lohre Richard Lykes Wendy Murdoch Thomas & Kathy Nilan Pam Owen George & Linda Paine Anne Pallie & Jack Shore William Parrish Jack & Carolyn Reeder Carol Sabol Margaret Strawser Hazel Sudduth John Sutton Siggy Thornhill Archie & Judy Tinelli
Susan van den Toorn Bruce Vaughn & Patty O’Brien In-Kind Donors Judy Allen Amissville Nursery Belle Ridge Farm Blue Rock Inn Caledonia Farm - 1812 Caulfield Gallery & Studio Central Coffee Roasters Ellie Clark Copper Fox Antiques Sally Cunningham Early’s Carpet Flint Hill Public House Flint Hill Vintage Antiques Sandra Forbush Foti’s Goodine’s Gold & Silver Benita Gowen Gray Ghost Winery Hair Gallery Joyce Harman Barbara Heile Peter Hitchen, Tilton Services Hopkins Ordinary B&B Hunt Country Rentals Interiors by Whitcairn Julie King Laughing Duck Cookery Richard Lykes Susanne Louisell Tom Mansmann David Massie Rebecca McCoy Bob Metcalfe Middleton Inn Hodge Miller, Inside & Out Painting Mountain Rose Massage & Energy Center
Rappahannock County Conservation Alliance P.O. Box 116 Sperryville, VA 22740
Mount Vernon Farm Joe O’Kane Old Dominion Hounds Panache Catering Powell Wellness Center Quail at the Woods Antiques Rappahannock Cellars Rappahannock Hunt Rappahannock Landscape and Nursery R.H. Ballard Art, Rug & Home Rose Hill Veterinary Practice, P. C. Roy’s Orchard Settle’s Cars & Trucks Sharp Rock Winery Sperryville Pottery The Strittmatter Companies Tom Tepper Gordon Thornhill Sigi Thornhill Thornton Hill Hounds Thornton River Grill Debbie Welch Geneva Welch Live-Auction Donors Chuck Akre Oliver & Joan Brown Ann Crittenden & John Henry Maestro and Mrs. Lorin Maazel Friends of National Zoo Judith Richards Hope Fran Moore Krebser Joe O’Kane Julia Thieriot
k n a Th You!