Farm tour turns gawkers into guests

How many times have you driven into Charlottesville by way of Gordonsville, taking the scenic route along Route 231? I think it’s one of the more aesthetically pleasing roads in Albemarle County — so much so it’s hard to keep my eyes on the road and not gawk at the scenery.

I can’t help but fantasize about what it would be like to live in one of those quintessentially Virginia country manor homes with the sprawling and impeccably groomed rolling acres of farmland, speckled as they often are with champion horses and cows (and the occasional sheep or llama). Two years ago Grace Episcopal Church in Cismont launched what is now an annual historic farm tour of some of these properties, an event that is rapidly becoming as anticipated as Garden Week, giving as it does a glimpse into how the better half (or at least the more financially comfortable .02 percent) lives.

Those who own these farms — most steeped in local history and lore — graciously open their barn doors to the curious, often giving demonstrations of what goes on with the real working parts of many of these locales. This year the farms were

» East Belmont, a charming estate with its breathtaking refurbished Sears dairy barn that was uprooted and driven atop a hill, where it was then transplanted and restored to an absolutely beyond-gorgeous working horse barn that is about a thousand times nicer than my home;

» Edgeworth, a 1200-acre working sheep and cattle farm where patrons got to see determined dingo-wannabes corral their bleating charges;

» Eldon Farm, a thriving champion thoroughbred farm;

» Clover Hill Farm, with the distinction of having the oldest surviving barn in the county;

» Castalia — a stunning farm whose rock and stone dwellings are reminiscent of a Spanish-style villa — home to champion Paso Fino horses, known for their smooth-gaited walk demonstrated for visitors; and

» Round Hill Farm, renowned for it’s beautifully designed organic raised beds.

While the farm tours were happening, ticket holders were encouraged to stop into the Keswick Hunt Club and learn about the 70 working foxhounds who remain at the ready for the thrice-weekly foxhunts that occur in Virginia’s hunt country in-season (late summer to early spring).

The tour was not complete without a stop at Grace Church’s historic grounds, where an old-fashioned country fair was held, with vendors selling things from antiques and clothing to local berries and locally sourced meats. Members of the church who make up a loose and quite talented band of musicians played while patrons dined on barbecue from Gordonsville’s Barbeque Exchange (it’s divine) and checked out animals (including llamas, a large hog, cows and even a baby cow) provided by the local 4-H and nearby neighboring farms.

Grace Church is also known for its utterly charming Thanksgiving Day Blessing of the Hounds ceremony, at which minister Julie Norton invokes a blessing for a safe and successful hunt as riders, dressed in full foxhunting regalia, sit astride their handsomely groomed mounts. It’s quite a spectacle to behold — one worthy of missing a little of the Macy’s parade for, in fact.

The nicest thing about the farm tour (as well as the Blessing of the Hounds) is that all of the money goes to support local charities the church supports. According to event organizer and all-around workhouse Bill Anda, this year the tour raised more than $32,000.

The date for next year’s Farm Tour has been set already: June 16, 2012.