FARMCOLONY - the real story

FARMCOLONY is a development alternative to the loss of agricultural land. The introduction of the FARMCOLONY concept 30 years ago gives the private sector a viable alternative to aid in agricultural land conservation. The basic concept of FARMCOLONY is to keep as much of the agricultural land in farming as possible while using the remainder of the non-farmland for residential development.

Panoramic views of the farmland from east to west

FARMCOLONY, in the Blue Ridge foothills, offers an opportunity to enjoy all of the benefits of living on a farm without the usual worries or responsibilities, and at far less cost than buying a farm individually. FARMCOLONY IS THAT SIMPLE.Most fine communities feature an amenity of some sort. A golf course, tennis courts, lake, common green areas or other type of visual or aesthetic enhancer to make the surrounding living area a more pleasant place. Instead of the usual golf course, or tennis courts, the amenity at FARMCOLONY is an incredibility beautiful farm - and your own forests, mountain and streams on its almost 300 acres.

The riding ring and hay field

Ownership of the farm is included with the purchase of your own building site. And cattle, horses, chickens, ducks, pastures, streams, ponds, walking and horse trails, camping shelters, barns, poultry house, workshops, sheds and even a huge farmhouse now used as a meeting place for the owners come with the purchase. And the fertile farm is completely equipped with operating machinery. For over two hundred years FARMCOLONY land has raised abundant crops of vegetables and healthy animals.

The Farm House

The honeymoon cottage :-)

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, FARMCOLONY is such a picturesque environment words cannot describe it.

Looking toward Charlottesville across the valley

The horse barn, riding ring, pastures and hay fields

Perched in the woods on the side of a gently sloping mountain overlooking the farm and valley are forty-eight single family home sites averaging two acres each. Some home sites have streams running through them or boarder on a pond. Most are surrounded by tall dense forest. Some have spectacular 360 degree views of the rolling Virginia countryside. The total investment in your own home site and a share of all the other things ranges from $14,000 to $24,000 (this was 30 years ago).

A pond, some geese and cows wondering what is going on

With ownership of a building site comes joint ownership of the farm, through the FARMCOLONY Homeowners' Association. Only you as a home site owner can belong to this association. The association holds title to the common farm areas, the mountain preserve, twelve buildings, livestock, machinery and equipment. This common ownership is simple and workable. Simpler actually than belonging to a country club. Through an elected five member executive committee all decisions relating to the farm are made. Committees of owners make specific decision on farm activities, such as the garden, cows, horses, pastures, hay making etc. An owner can choose to do as much or as little farm work as they desire. There is no pressure to contribute labor but most farm families choose to be deeply involved. After all, that is why they choose to live here.

Some equipment and the critters winter food



The equipment barn

The egg machines, yes Rose eggs do come from chickens!

Besides the beautiful scenery, healthful environment and enjoyable living environment,there are also many additional benefits such as being able to gather freshly laid eggs, buy fresh beef or harvest your own farm fresh vegetables untouched by harmful chemicals or middlemen – at a fraction of the cost at stores.

The common garden (previous posts have more pictures)

The focal center of social activity on the farm is centered around the farm clubhouse. This restored nineteenth century structure has a huge living room where parties, meetings, lectures and other cultural events take place. In addition, there are private bedrooms where owners and their guests are welcome to stay and there are complete kitchen and laundry facilities. The clubhouse allows property owners to enjoy their purchase in comfort before building a home and is always a warm and friendly gathering spot for everyone. It is not unusual to find several owners spending a weekend at the farmhouse eating fresh farm produced food and really enjoying life.

The meeting room

One of the bedrooms

The kitchen

The location of FARMCOLONY is ideal. Three and one-half miles from Stanardsville, a wonderfully quaint and small town still bound in down-home traditions. Traditions like storekeepers and bankers knowing you by first name and being able to leave your car unlocked; traditions like farmers and mountain men gathering at the general store to talk crops, politics and weather. Close by (20 to25 minutes) is Charlottesville with its wonderful health and education facilities, large regional shopping centers and cultural events of every type. Other facilities are available close by such as golf and tennis (10 minutes), skiing (25 minutes) and of course, the famous Skyline Drive entrance is only 10 minutes away from FARMCOLONY.

Farm living is what people have always dreamed about but have never been able to do. Watching your children and grandchildren ride a pony, or play in a barnful of sweet smelling hay used to be just a dream, or at best an expensive venture. Watching your own food grow, fresh eggs, beef that hasn't been “treated” with additives, and garden fresh vegetables are now a reality. Taking a hayride through crisp fall air is a unique experience and is just a small part of what farm life is all about. FARMCOLONY for the first time makes this a practical reality at a modest cost.

Sarah the farm donkey

Another happy farm resident sunning herself

Jim-bo patiently avaiting 1 January (he gets to visit his girls)

FARMCOLONY, of course, cannot be compared to anything else because there is nothing else like it.