Saving Land SPRING/SUMMER 2018 | Vol. 22 Issue 1
Historic AfricanAmerican Farm Sees Legacy Protected Outdoor Adventures: New summer events! BRLC Grows with Land, Staff!
w w w. b r l c v a . o rg
Blue Ridge Land Conservancy Promoting the conservation of western Virginia’s natural resources- farms, forests, waterways, and rural landscapes BOARD OF TRUSTEES Betty H. Lesko, President William M. Hackworth, President-Elect F. Fulton Galer, Treasurer Whitney H. Feldmann, Secretary C. Whitney Brown Diana K. Christopulos Stephen M. Claytor M. Rupert Cutler Ruth T. Dickerson Thomas M. Dunkenberger, Jr Broaddus C. Fitzpatrick Joshua C. Gibson Anne M. Jennings George A. Kegley Nelson W. Lafon Linda W. Pharis Timothy J. Rowe, Sr.
ADVISORY COUNCIL Lucy R. Ellett Liza T. Field Talfourd H. Kemper Robert B. Lambeth, Jr. Janet Scheid
STAFF David C. Perry, Executive Director Meagan R. Cupka, Project Manager Deborah Ullmer, Office Manager Grace Boardwine, Outdoor Educator Kate Glass, Stewardship Assistant 722 First Street SW, Suite L Roanoke, VA 24016 540-985-0000 blueridgelandconservancy.org COVER PHOTO:
“Spring at Mountain View Farm” by Dave Perry
DATE
april 28
It’s back! This May through October, we’ll be offering monthly outdoor activities such as guided hikes on private trails, hands-on education days, and more! Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a family with young children looking for a fun and safe way to introduce them to the outdoors, we have something for you! The land conservancy’s outdoor activities are open to both Friends AND the general public!
MAY 20
June 2
For more information, directions, or to register for an event, please contact Grace at: grace@brlcva.org or call 540-985-0000
July 14
What is a “Friend” of the Land Conservancy?
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A Friend of the Land Conservancy is an individual (and their immediate family—spouse and children) or business that is an annual financial donor to the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy. And no, you don’t need to own any land—nearly all of our Friends are simply folks who want to make a difference by supporting BRLC. Benefits of being a Friend include discounts to Outdoor Adventures, our quarterly magazine, a membership card and sticker, invitations to special events like the Conservation Celebration, and more.
Sept. 15
Oct. 5
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EVENT
DESCRIPTION
WHERE
WHEN
DIFFICULTY
REGISTRATION
full moon hike
Listen to the sounds of nature as we enjoy a spring moonrise over Carvins Cove. We’ll hunt for nighttime creatures and call to nearby owls. Please bring a flashlight, bug spray, and sturdy hiking shoes.
Carvins Cove, Roanoke
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Easy
$6 General Public $3 Friends
Hike at Chimney Rock
Join us for a guided hike up Sinking Creek Mountain to Chimney Rock on Bruce and Elaine Ingram’s conserved property. Pack a lunch, bring bug spray, and prepare for amazing views.
Chimney Rock, Botetourt County
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Intermediate to Advanced
$6 General Public $3 Friends
Pollinator Potluck
Enjoy the company of other people who care about the land while watching a beekeeping demonstration and taking a guided walk through the Wildflower Garden as representatives from the Mill Mountain Garden Club share their exciting new projects. Potluck to follow. Bring a dish to share!
Mill Mountain, Roanoke
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Easy
FREE
Locavore Walk and Talk
You can enjoy a “Locavore” meal, walk, and talk with Bruce and Elaine Ingram, noted conservationists in the local area. Learn how to make your land more appealing to wildlife, identify edible wild foods, learn about living off the land, and see how the Ingrams have “gone solar”. Each participant will receive Bruce’s book and a localvore meal!
Botetourt County
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Easy
$25 General Public $20 Friends
James River Float
Bring friends for a group float led by Twin River Outfitters. We’ll depart from Buchanan and float along the James River where we’ll get out at a BRLC-conserved property. Bring a sandwich and water- we’ll meet you at the end for a picnic.
Botetourt County
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Intermediate to Advanced
$35 General Public $30 Friends
Cahas Mountain Hike
Hike to the top of Cahas Mountain, the tallest mountain in Franklin County and a conserved property. The hike will end on House Rock were hiker will see breath taking views of the Roanoke Valley.
Cahas Mountain, Franklin County
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Intermediate to Advanced
$6 General Public $3 Friends
Bat movie & bat box building
Build your own bat box and watch a documentary about the spooky nocturnal creatures! This event will part of the Unitarian Universalist Church Earth Friendly Fridays.
Roanoke Unitarian Universalist Church
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Easy
$25 General Public $20 Friends
Saving Land, Protec t SHARING THE LEGACY OF and Forest being one of the most rapidly growing communities in our region, that farming heritage was in danger of being lost forever.” John Davis, first owner of The Davis Farm
W
hile so much of the work we do involves protecting farms owned by the same families for many years, it’s rare that the land has been owned by the same family for over one hundred years. And it’s even rarer that three in-laws decide together to conserve it. But this is the case with the Davis Farm, nestled in the hills off Cottontown Road in Forest, Virginia. Vernon Davis, a Georgia resident; William Anderson, who lives in Lynchburg; and Hank Hubbard, who lives on the Davis Farm, conserved the 155 acres of rolling farmland with the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy in December 2017. “The first thing that struck me about these guys was their sincerity,” says Blue Ridge Land Conservancy Executive Director Dave Perry. “Their number one goal was preserving the farm and keeping the family legacy intact.” Dave was approached by the three relatives after they had completed a fencing project with the Peaks of Otter Soil and Water Conservation District. “The historic value of the farm is significant,” adds Dave. “It has been owned by the same African-American family for over 100 years. With development on all sides of the farm 4
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Spring 2018
There is certainly a lot of heritage in this land. In 1904, John Davis, Lewis Davis, and a family friend Hampton Robinson purchased the original farm. In 1914, Hampton passed away, leaving the farm to the brothers, John and Lewis. In 1938, the two brothers divided the farm, leaving John Davis with 155 acres and Lewis with the rest. The family worked hard raising cattle and hogs and growing vegetables, hay, tobacco, corn, and wheat. Not everything was for sale, as the Davises used the farm to grow their own food as well. Vernon Davis is a grandson of John Davis, the patriarch of this branch of the Davis family. Vernon spent his youth working on his grandfather’s farm during the summers when school was out. When he was very young, about five or six years old, he remembers meeting up with his cousins Christine and Carolyn on the farm. “We’d lay under the big oak tree, go fishing, do kid things. My grandmother (Mary) would be in the house cooking dinner for my uncle, father, and grandfather,” says Vernon. He remembers his grandmother would go out to the garage and ring the bell to let everyone know dinner (or what we now call lunch) was ready. Vernon also remembers family members and helpers going back out on the farm after lunch
and working until it was nearly dark. He, too, remembers the hard work and sometimes the perils that came with it. “We were doing hay over the course of two days. There was a snake that had been baled up, but only the tail end of the snake was in the bale,” he says. “On the second day, I kicked the bale over to move it and that little snake was in there. He was pretty mad! It struck at me, but the hay was rolling away so it barely missed me.” Hank Hubbard came into the family by marrying Christine, Vernon’s cousin. In fact, he met Christine as a toddler, having been playpen companions at after-church picnics held at the Davis property. The two met properly in high school, and while dating, would often visit with friends along the serene Ivy Creek. After getting married and moving away for a while, the pair moved back to Bedford and renovated the farmhouse. A few of the things they found while renovating included: an old oil lamp, photos, and an old leather bag containing records of trading between farmers during the time of John Davis. Hank says that in these exchanges, one could see how smart John Davis was. Even though segregation was in full effect, John had been able to hire a lawyer for certain transactions. “He was a good loaner,” says Hank. “He held people’s feet to the fire. He had seen how lawyers had crafted certain trading documents and wrote his like that.” Hank and Christine were married for 48 years before she passed away, but
c ting History
F T H E DAV I S FA R M Christine shared some of memories of the farm with Hank during their time together. “She loved watching the hogs being fed,” Hank says. “I think the way I ate reminded her of those hogs.” William Anderson also entered the Davis family by marriage. He married Carolyn, who was Christine’s sister and Vernon Davis’s cousin. His time on the farm truly began when he started courting Carolyn. He remembers how folks from neighboring farms would get together to help each other out on big projects. The Davis Farm was no exception. Mary Davis, John’s wife, would prepare delicious meals for everyone. It was customary for meals to be provided when neighboring farmers helped each other. William also spent a lot of time with caption Walter Davis, John Davis’s son and Vernon’s uncle. They’d sit on the porch of the farmhouse and talk, and Walter would sometimes share stories about the farm. Some of these stories weren’t pleasant. “For a black family to have a 100+ acre farm in those times, it was remarkable,” says William. “Walter would share stories about when he was young, and would overhear his father talking to his mother, wondering if they would make it. Walter said his mother would always reply that they’d make it.” The troubles the farm faced weren’t always financial in nature, either. William shared a story once told to him by Walter, saying, “John Davis was very
good with horses. He had a fine stud he would breed to other farmer’s horses in the area. Someone once offered to buy the stud from John, but he refused. A few nights later, John woke up to the sound of the horse screaming in the barn. He went to check on the horse and found someone had gotten into the barn and broken the horse’s leg. Of course the stud had to be put down.” Years later, the farm was a refuge for William. After long workdays serving as the Chief at the Lynchburg fire department, he would go to the farm and sit on the porch. He remembers that sometimes Carolyn would make chili beans while John’s sons Walter and McBurney were curing tobacco in the barn. “It was a peaceful setting away from the hustle and bustle”, William says. “I’ve always enjoyed sitting on the farm listening to the mocking birds, watching
By Meagan Cupka
hawks circle in the air, and the cows meander in the fields.” As time passed and the second generation of Davis farmers grew older, the three men found themselves in charge of the family farm. Vernon inherited part of it, as he was a direct descendant of John Davis. Walter Davis had no heirs, but passed his portion to Hank and William, because he thought they would be the most responsible with it and would honor the request to protect it and keep the farm in the family. After seeing so many farms in the area sold for housing development, the family discussed conserving the farm for several years before deciding to commit. With the help of the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy, they now know it will remain an open green space forever, where their memories and history will live on.
The Davis Farm, located in Bedford County, VA
Spring 2018
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View from protected side of Purgatory Mountain in Botetourt Co.
Conserved farm with wetland habitat in Pittsylvania Co.
Rolling hills and vistas are now protected at Mountain View Farm in Botetourt Co.
MORE PROTECTED LAND THAN EVER! In 2017, you helped protect nine different places in the Blue Ridge region. We’ve never
done that many projects in one year before, and it’s all thanks to you, our supporters! You make what we do a priority and support us through your time, your dollars, and your interest in saving land. Take a look above at some of the beautiful spaces you’ve protected.
Serving the Entire Blue Ridge Land Conservancy Region
Truman Hill Farm proudly supports
BLUE RIDGE LAND CONSERVANCY RURAL REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST
David A. Hurt REALTOR
Connecting conservation-minded buyers and sellers
LAND – FARMS – HOMES HISTORIC PROPERTIES LUXURY ESTATES CONSERVATION EASEMENTS HUNTING AND FISHING RETREATS
MKB, REALTORS 4 | Spring 2017
Roanoke, VA• 540 598-9645 www.landmatters.land
LOCAL GRASS-FED BEEF www.trumanhillfarm.com
Save Date THE
CONSERVATION CELEBRATION& AUCTION SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2018
4-7:30 PM AT SUNDARA • FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA Honoring: MR. PETER LEWIS
2018 A. Victor Thomas Environmental Stewardship Awardee
and Peter Lewis, Founder, and his son John Lewis, Executive Director of Apple Ridge Farm
ROANOKE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB 2018 Landsaver Awardee
Enjoy live music, food by Blue Ridge Catering, and raising money for your local land conservancy with a silent and live auction! Don’t miss out on the breathtaking views of Cahas Mountain, parts of which are forever protected by the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy. Join us for a night of fun and celebrate conservation and education in southwestern Virginia!
Photo by: Kemper Mills Fant
Spring 2018
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The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, a mark of distinction in land conservation. BRLC is also a proud member of the Land Trust Alliance and the Virginia Conservation Network.
722 First Street, SW, Suite L Roanoke, Virginia 24016-4120 Phone/Fax 540-985-0000 www.blueridgeconservancy.org Member of:
WE’RE GROWING! In just the past 18 months, the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy has added 13 new properties totaling nearly 2,500 acres to the list of lands we protect. Your staff of two full-time employees now has over 20,000 acres of land spread among 53 properties in 10 counties to visit each year! So we’re proud to say we’ve recently added a part-time Stewardship Assistant to our staff. Filling this new role will be Kate Glass of Blacksburg. The Stewardship Assistant’s primary focus will be visiting the properties protected by Blue Ridge Land Conservancy conservation agreements. She’ll contact each landowner to schedule a time to visit, do a survey of the property by foot, take photos and record GPS points, document any violations of the conservation agreement she sees, and send a report to the landowner. Welcome aboard Kate—we’re glad to have you join our team! Kate Glass joins BRLC as Stewardship Assistant