Rebuilding a historic Virginia village into a national center for agriculture.
A long-term effort to turn a small historic Virginia village into a nationally significant center for agriculture, research, education, and rural economic development.
Three adjoining properties acquired inside an approximately $8M envelope - around $6.4M through long-term nonprofit real-estate financing and $1.6M of equity, opened by a $100,000 charitable launch round. The objective is positive recurring operating cash flow in the second half of 2027, meaningful profitability by Year 5, and an institution that can expand without depending indefinitely on outside subsidy.
Three engines, one institution
This is considerably larger than a farm, an event venue, or a research institute. It is built around three complementary revenue engines that reinforce one another.
The foundation
Working agricultural enterprises that double as a living laboratory. The central question: how can American agriculture become more competitive while improving environmental performance and animal welfare - rather than sacrificing either?
High-end, low-volume
Destination weddings from roughly $500k, corporate retreats, executive gatherings, research conferences, and multi-day events for 100 to 1,000+ guests - building on the region's existing vineyard and rural-tourism economy to drive early cash flow.
What we produce & discover
Native seed and nursery stock, plant material and licensing, livestock management protocols, datasets and monitoring technology, and equine rehabilitation - so an increasing share of revenue comes from knowledge, not just acreage.
The first properties are not the endpoint. They are the demonstration platform.
Acquire approximately 271 acres across three adjoining properties, then stand up agriculture, livestock, hospitality, and the first research platforms in stages. Reach positive recurring operating cash flow in the second half of 2027 and meaningful profitability by Year 5.
Expand the fellowship program, training capacity, research partnerships, and commercially valuable outputs while acquiring or partnering with additional strategic properties.
Recognition nationally, and potentially internationally, as an agricultural innovation and research center - with our methods in use on farms and at institutions far beyond the original site.
Transportation can eventually become part of the experience. Initially guests travel by passenger rail from Washington, D.C. toward Northern Virginia - likely Manassas - then transfer to dedicated transportation to the property. Longer term, we can explore whether special rail service to the village itself can be restored in partnership with rail operators, reconnecting the project with the village's historic identity.
The food chain won't fix itself. People fix it.
Every dollar goes into land, seed, animals, and the researchers and young farmers doing the work in Fauquier County. Give what's meaningful to you: or bring your company in as a founding partner.