By Hunter Kennedy | April/May 2009 | Features

The Smartest Farm

Almost thirty years ago, one forward-thinking Virginia family decided to make a life out of going green. Today they're still breaking new ground

“We’re hoping to run the farm off of these new solar panels,” says Rossie, who also says they’ve seen a significant decrease in their power bills since it became operational in the spring of 2008. “The panels weren’t cheap, and some people told us we won’t get our money out of it for twenty years. We just think it’s important to do.”

Paying It Forward
But the Fishers have never been satisfied by merely providing an example for others to follow. Their stewardship extends to the surrounding community of Goochland County. Deciding that they needed to protect the rural culture of the county from Richmond’s suburban sprawl, they founded the Center for Rural Culture in 2004, with the mission of helping to support the rural economy through sustainable farming practice as well as providing education to the local community on an array of land and water conservation issues. The following year, the CRC began the Goochland County Farmer’s Market, a grower’s only market that provides a venue for all area growers to connect with the same crowds that have been visiting Brookview Farm since the farm store opened over a decade ago. Brookview was one of the principal sponsors of the farmer’s market, and for many visitors, the reason they were first drawn to the tiny town of Goochland.

“They are an inspiration to the community because of their sustainable farming practice and the conservation easements they’ve placed on their land,” says Lisa Dearden, the CRC’s executive director. “They’ve shown the way to maintain sustainable rural culture by example.”

You can bet a two-dollar bill that Jefferson would be pleased to know that the tradition of enlightened stewardship is alive and well in the state of Virginia.