About

Agriculture is Virginia’s largest private industry. Hundreds of small farms and producers provide the fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses that Virginia’s award-winning chefs use to create dishes inspired by fresh, regional ingredients. Join the VMHC for an excursion to three agricultural sites in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to learn about the history and practices of artisanal ‘Virginia Eats.’ In connection with the VMHC’s 250th commemorations, several of the sites have links to Virginia’s revolutionary and colonial history.

Our first stop will be the Burwell-Morgan Mill. Located in Clarke County, the mill is a National Register Historical Landmark and one of the oldest operational grist mills in the country. Built by Founding Fathers Daniel Morgan and Nathaniel Burwell in the early 1780s, the mill is currently owned and operated by the Clarke County Historical Association.

Next, the tour will continue to nearby Ayrshire Farm. Ayrshire’s mission is to farm sustainably and profitably, promoting the benefits of locally produced, humanely raised meats and organic produce to the local consumer community through education, outreach and example. This includes preserving various rare breeds, including Shire horses, Scottish Highland cattle, Ancient White Park cattle, English Longhorn cattle, Gloucestershire Old Spot hogs, and several varieties of heritage breed chickens and turkeys.

Our last stop will be Chancelllors Rock Farm. Located in Rappahanock County, Chancellors Rock’s mission is to demonstrate environmentally sustainable farming and horticultural practices, while supporting the native ecology and wildlife of the Virginia Piedmont. This includes a partnership with Virginia Working Landscapes, a program of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, to study and document sustainable grazing pasture management practices.

Participants will begin and end this experience at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. We will be traveling by charter bus to the locations below, returning to the VMHC at the end of the day.



Please note:

This program is limited to 34 people.
This program involves long periods of standing and walking.

Tickets include:

Tastings at each location
Boxed lunch
Glass of Virginia wine
The opportunity to purchase produce from each site.

Tickets available April 1.