A couple of months ago I contacted a land owner via the VA FarmLink,
…an online database designed to link farm owners interested in exiting agriculture with those seeking farms and farm businesses. The database is the primary component to date of the Virginia Farm Link program, which was established in 2001 by the General Assembly to provide assistance in the transition of farm businesses and properties from retiring farmers to active farmers.
I have contacted a few other farmers/land owners, but this was our first visit. We spent the holiday weekend with family in Chesapeake, Virginia, and headed up to Orange, VA “on the way home.” It made for an extremely long day, but it was an awesome opportunity.
Pros:
- Lots of land
- Flexible lease/ownership
- Location – halfway between Charlottesville and Fredericksburg, VA
Cons:
- The land is pretty chopped up, difficult to utilize
- No hardwoods/timber
- No useable buildings
- No dwelling
- Very far from potential off-farm job opportunities
Ultimately, we’ve decided this property is lovely but isn’t a good match for us.
