What Makes this Place So Exceptional?

The natural landscape of the northern Piedmont region is defined by the Blue Ridge and Bull Run mountains that surround the rolling hills of “hunt country” and the interconnected watersheds of Goose Creek, Potomac, and Rappahannock Rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. Combined, these provide the life force of our green oasis. Loudoun County was known as the “Breadbasket of the Revolution” and still contains the most valuable prime agricultural soils in Virginia while Fauquier County ranks in the top five counties for statewide agricultural production.

 

We are linked together by historic byways and gravel roads that criss-cross through dense woods and over perennial streams, connecting our farms, villages, and landmarks. Our nineteenth-century landscape, dotted with residences and agricultural buildings crafted from native fieldstone, is one of the best preserved in the country, allowing us to intimately understand how people worked, lived, and connected since our Nation’s infancy. Heritage tourism, defined as “traveling to experience the places and activities that authentically present the stories and people of the past and present,” accounts for millions in annual revenue each year. (VPHA, Profiting from Preservation)

 

What makes this place so exceptional? The northern Piedmont region’s thriving economy capitalizes on our preserved scenic views and proximity to our Nation’s capital. We have working cattle, sheep, pig, goat, and vegetable farms providing sustainably sourced local food to our communities, farmer’s markets, and restaurants. There are vineyards, breweries, and distilleries producing products that earn recognition across the country. We have outstanding hiking trails, parks, and rivers for public recreation. Most notably, the Piedmont region has one of the oldest and largest equine industries in the United States and is home to the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, the oldest horse show in the country, as well as numerous polo clubs, Olympic three day eventing operations, and the most prestigious fox hunts in the country.

 

This extraordinary area and the industries that depend on its unique attributes still exist today thanks to the leadership of dedicated conservation advocates and widespread civic engagement that began in the 1950s and led to one of the highest density areas for conservation easements and other protected lands in the United States. Their successes have kept the door open for new residents hoping to make country living an everyday experience. We have dedicated organizations working to protect and maintain every one of these resources, each with their own expertise and specific conservation mission.

 

Over the last 20 years, the threat of incompatible development has exploded, and these organizations have accordingly increased their collaboration, understanding the power of partnerships in preserving the irreplaceable landscape of our Piedmont Countryside. This manual is a manifestation of our mutual commitment, and we hope it will encourage everyone to embrace the tremendous value of our rural way of life. This region’s survival depends on each of us to nurture and protect our properties, advocate for preservation policies, and support organizations and elected officials who prioritize conserving our magnificent region.