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Spend Saturday down on the farm
The 13th annual Fauquier County Fall Farm Tour and Field Day offers a little something for everyone. Slated for this Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the free event includes interpretive tours at six featured farms in the southern end of the county.
“We started this as a way to highlight and showcase the agriculture that we have here and the importance of it,” said Ray Pickering of the Fauquier County Agricultural Development Office. “It’s an educational vehicle for the non-farming public to learn more about agriculture.”
Pickering said organizers are hoping for nice weather, which helps turn out large crowds for the annual event. By offering a cross section of the county’s agricultural community, Pickering said that the event allows guests to get an idea about what local farmers are doing. Because the county is so large and diverse, organizers decided last year to alternate regions of focus. Last year, the tour featured farms in the northern end of the county, Pickering said.
One stop on the tour provides guests with a bit of history along with an agricultural experience. Weston, a classic example of an early Virginia working farm, offers a rare collection of 10 original agricultural and domestic outbuildings. Listed with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Weston will host the an event to commemorate the 145th anniversary of Auburn and the Battle of Coffee Hill and will also be open for the farm tour Saturday.
During a visit to this historic home, located off Weston Road in Casanova, guests will learn about Fauquier County’s place in the Civil War and the tactics of Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry during their frightening two days in Auburn. After touring Weston, enjoy period games for children, displays of local Civil War artifacts, and a Civil War encampment. A collection of Indian artifacts recovered in Fauquier County will also be on display.
Weston is also home to the Casanova Hunt foxhounds and the hounds and the hunt staff will be available to talk with guests after noon. Vendors at Weston will include Stoneleigh Farms and Rogers Ford Winery. The farm will be open for touring beginning at 10 a.m. with Civil War activities set to begin at noon.
In nearby Catlett, Seven Oaks Lavender Farm offers a unique experience. Operated by mother and daughter Edith and Deborah Williamson, the farm has a variety of lavender, which is best known for its relaxing properties. It can be made into sachets for closets and drawers or used in cooking and baking. Seven Oaks offers homemade lavender items.
Francis Ngoh will also be on hand at the farm with his Rock Run Creek Farm shiitake mushrooms and the Fauquier County Farm Bureau will be there offering tips on farm safety and information about its various programs.
It wouldn’t be a farm tour without a stop at a dairy farm. In the Messick family since 1922, Lakeside Dairy stared with a heard of 15 or 20 Holstein cows and 90 acres of land. Today the farm is more than 1,500 acres and has an equipment investment exceeding $2 million. The herd has grown to more than 400 Holstein and Jersey cows. A visit at this farm will help kids learn how milk gets to the cereal bowl, and milking demonstrations will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Cow Pie Compost is a spin-off business of the dairy, offering a soil amendment that is used widely throughout the area. The Fauquier County 4-H Livestock Club will provide a petting zoo at the farm and will also sell food and drinks throughout the afternoon.
Morning Moon Alpacas is a working farm located near Remington on a 60-acre, 170-year-old farm. Guests will learn all about alpacas and their fiber, from fleece to finished garment. Fiber processing, spinning, and weaving demonstrations will be conducted throughout the day. Alpaca fleece, roving, yarn, and apparel will be available for purchase, and food will be available from The Farmer’s Wife. Rogers Ford Winery will also be on hand to offer tastings.
Quarter-Mor Farm is home to Doug and Debbie Linton and features Angelic Beef, a product of the rare Piedmontese breed of cattle. These unique cattle have evolved over centuries and are designed to produce low-fat, naturally lean, tender and flavorful meat. A tractor-pulled wagon hayride will offer a friendly encounter with the farm's cows, bulls and horses. The farm is also home to the couple's AQHA quarter horses. He has experience as a horse trainer, and she is a equine dental technician and will discuss that profession during the farm tour. Food will be available at this stop, featuring Angelic brisket and burgers. Meat will also be available for purchase.
Fox Trot Farm is an equine facility located on 30 acres five miles south of Warrenton. It’s an all-breed, all-discipline horse boarding, training, and sales facility. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., demonstrations will be given by Red Revelle, famed “horse whisperer” and trainer for horses that need special attention.
The facility is state-of-the-art with a barn and indoor riding arena that is environmentally sensitive and run with solar powered electricity. Miller Brothers Construction will be on site throughout the event to discuss construction of the facility. Food and drinks will be available from Let’s Dish!
Though not part of the tour, Cows-N-Corn is located in the midst of the activities and offers a fun corn maze for families. Admission is required. Also located in the southern part of the county and open Saturday morning is the Goldvein Farmers’ Market at Monroe Park. Rogers Ford Farm Winery is the nearest vineyard to the festivities and is open for tours year round.
For more information and directions to the farms, visit www.FauquierAg.com or call (540) 341-0988. Farm stops on the tour are marked with signs.
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