Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia’s working farms and forests, battlefields and other historic sites, natural areas, parks and rivers are critical to its economy, culture and quality of life. In 1999, the assembly and governor established the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) to fund protection of these resources. The interactive map below depicts VLCF-grant projects funded since 2000.
| Name: | Harris Farm |
|---|---|
| Category: | Farmland Preservation |
| Grant Round: | FY23 |
| Acres: | 327 |
| Locality: | Spotsylvania County |
| Management Agency: | Virginia Outdoors Foundation |
| Owner: | Local |
| ConserveVirginia: | Agriculture & Forestry |
| Amount Awarded: | $400,000.00 |
| Applicant: | Virginia Outdoors Foundation |
| Latitude: | 38.165420 |
| Longitude: | -77.886642 |
| Description: | VOF is requesting funding to support a bargain-purchase of an open-space easement on WD Harris’ farm. Located in Spotsylvania County at the headwaters of Lake Anna. The 327-acre farm is active cropland and part of a larger farm operation. The property is within an Agricultural and Forestal District, has good soils, and has an exceptional ranking by American Farmland Trust’s study on farms under threat. Protection of the farm also bolsters the agricultural viability and other conservation resources of the adjoining 275-acre Belmont farm, under easement with VOF. In addition, the property is within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and protects ~3/4 mile of Beverly Run, which drains immediately into Lake Anna, which is open to the public for boating and fishing. The riparian corridors and wetland area in addition to the open space, provide wildlife corridors and additional habitat. As a life-long farmer, Mr. Harris is concerned about the rapid loss of farmland in this area and would like to see his land preserved for agriculture in the future. |
| Pictures: |   |
