Mindful Stewardship

Since its beginning, Farmcolony has been a residential development, working farm, and wildlife sanctuary. The forest preserve and the 120 acres of grassland areas of the farm provide a valuable and diverse habitat for plants, animals and birds.

Farmcolony is a new kind of rural development, one that provides a unique combination of farmland, forest preservation and limited residential development.  The great majority of the farm’s acreage has been put under easements and deed restrictions that ensure the character and function of the farm in perpetuity.

Nearly 120 acres of Farmcolony is in fenced pastures and hayfields and includes a cow-calf operation comprising 25-30 brood cows and 24 calves, typically Black Angus and a “white-faced” Angus/Hereford mix, breeds which in the past have provided the most marketable beef.

Approximately 70 acres is wooded and managed in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Forestry using limited harvesting and timber stand improvement techniques to preserve the integrity of the forest. The remaining 95 acres is set aside for residential development within the woodland edges on sites considered unsuitable for farming. The forest preserve and the 120 acres of grassland areas of the farm provide a valuable and diverse habitat for plants, animals and birds. Deer, bear, fox, and coyote are frequent visitors to the farm.

Farmcolony also attracts a wide variety of bird species and is officially designated a bird sanctuary. To encourage our feathered friends, birdhouses have been erected and vegetation has been planted to provide food and habitat.

Farmcolony designates one resident a “wildlife secretary” to specifically promote and enhance wildlife on the farm. The secretary maintains a list of “sightings” of birds and animals on the farm and participates in policy decisions related to protecting and encouraging wildlife on the farm.