BED &BREAKFAST - ORGANIC WORKING FARM DEDICATED TO SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES. Come relax in the serenity of country life at it's finest and enjoy our beautiful natural surroundings, babbling brook, nature trails, and four ponds. We are near great hunting and fishing, and canoeing, the Staunton River Battlefield State Park, Hisorical Plantations and Mansions. We are only a short fifteen minute drive from South Boston Speedway, and a short drive to the Virginia International Speedway. We even have our own Farm Store with Sugar and Salt Cured Hams, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Fresh Bakery items, Organic Produce, Herbs and Fruit, Juices and Ciders, Jams, Jellies, Syrups, Relishes, and Pickles. Everything is produced on our farm. Welcome to Giant Oaks Farm and Orchard in Beautiful Halifax County Virginia. We are seated in the Staunton River Historical Area and surrounded by many historical sites. Giant Oaks is a 68 acre farm secluded by a half mile drive off of Neals Corner Road, Owned and Operated By Erica Kay. We are also a short drive to an Amish Settlement. Visit http://virginia.org for more information on Halifax County. "I was raised on my grandparents small farm during the early years of my life and it was always my dream one day to return to farming. I met and fell in love with a Virginian, Wayne Bishop who also shared the same dream. We are to be married on the farm in May of 2010. I recently purchased this farm which had sat vacant for the past fifteen years. The farm dates back to the 1700's and the original settlers cabin still remains today. A new Central Hall Colonial was built in the 1830's and all of it's original features were still intact. The farm was a tobacco farm for much of its life and is reminiscent of the smaller plantations of the time. The main house was built from Heart Pine and is still strong today. The porch roof was leaking but still remained, but would have to be rebuilt. Most of the paint on the exterior was gone and the bathroom addition would have to be torn off and rebuilt. Fortunately we were able to save the old claw foot tub. But the remainder of the house was in remarkable condition. The first time I arrived to view the property it was so overgrown that the house could not be seen from the drive. Once we began to clear the property we discovered a large circular drive with a fruit orchard of apple and pear trees and on the opposite side of the drive we found a tobacco barn and tractor shed in great condition. We have been busy restoring the home and clearing the overgrown orchard and pasture areas. All of the old barns are still functional and require a bit of board and roof replacement. We didn't have power for the first three months while we waited to have easements signed and the easments cut. Yet we were determined to stay here and work on the beautiful old place. Since the well pump was electric we had to carry in water for bathing, cleaning, cooking, and drinking. I brought a port-a-potty, kerosene lamps, and Wayne brought his trusted camp stove. We had two working fireplaces, and three wood stoves in the house for heat. We not only survived, but loved every blessed minute of it. We bought a grill and between that and the stove we prepared great meals. Wayne discovered a hidden basement in the old tobacco packing shed behind the house which we have learned is where ice was originally placed to store food. The old mule stable is still standing and we are working to restore it if at all possible. I am going to create a photos page of the place beginning with the original photos (scary), through the progression of the restoration phase. Even in the original photos you will see the majic that we saw and felt as we walked here the first time. There are two streams, a spring, and four beaver ponds on the property. The property boasts ancient Giant Oaks and beautiful hardwoods. Over the next year we will be busy expanding the orchards to include: Apple, Cherry, Peach, Plum, Nectarines and grapes. Currently we have Pear and Apple Trees. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are being added. We will be raising Piedmontese Cattle (Low Fat - Low Cholesterol) naturally pasture raised, Tamworth, Yorkshire, and Mulefoot Hogs foraging naturally in our beautiful woodlands and we will even have a few goats and sheep. We have already cleared the old produce areas and will begin raising vegetables the organic way. In fact everything we raise will be raised strictly organically and we have already begun to seek USDA Certified Organic and our farm is a registered USDA farm. In addition, we are raising chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys." We are now living our dream and so is my trusted companion and friend "Pearl," my adopted rescue dog. She was four months old when I was approached by a friend to ask if I knew anyone looking for a dog. Pearl had never had her shots or been wormed and she was covered in fleas. She was a tiny bag of bones and I immediately brought her home. Today she is healthy, loves everyone, and is loved by everyone. She loves the farm just as much, but leaves the work to us. She just plays with everyone who comes to visit. This is a majical place filled great energy.
In late Spring 2010 we will open our on site farm store for fresh produce, fruit, eggs, sugar cured and smoked hams, applewood smoked bacon, smoked chicken and turkey, jams, jellies, and fresh baked goods will all be available and eventually a meat market will be on site. Our jams, jellies, relishes, juices, cider, hams, bacon, smoked poultry, beef and pork will also be available for shipment through our online store. By September our first guest accomodations will open in the original settlers cabin and within 3 years we will add 6 additional secluded cabins to open with guest accomodations for anyone wanting a relaxing get-a-way. In the meantime we will be having exciting family activities on the weekends throughout the year free of charge. Apple Bobbing, crafts for kids, hay rides, nature hikes, petting our friendly animals, campfires, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, corn maze, Blue Grass Music, and just plain country fun are what will await our visitors. Please keep in mind that this is a labor of love and our main house will take several years to completly restore but if you're in the area stop by for a visit and watch our progress first hand. We have built two shopping pages on this site. One is for our own products and the other is powered by Amazon.com to assist you in finding many organic products, cookware, books, and gourmet items not available from our farm. Please visit both sites.
Giant Oaks Farm and Orchard 3035 Neals Corner Road Clover, Virginia 24534 434) 454-6915 or email: ericakay55@hotmail.com for further information.
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