Posted by Joe Barnes on July 14th, 2009
Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia visited Bundoran Farm on his way to celebrate the grand opening of Albemarle Ciderworks located just a bit up the road from us. Albemarle Ciderworks is a family-run Cidery and Tasting Room that produces cider from heritage varieties of apples that can thrive in Albemarle County.
Governor Kaine Lands at Bundoran Farm
After circling around a couple times, most likely to enjoy the incredible views of Bundoran Farm’s protected pastures and forest, Governor Kaine’s helicopter touched down on the farm. He was greeted by members of the Bundoran Farm team and spent a few minutes chatting with us. We talked with him about our overall approach to rural land preservation and how valuable our efforts are to preserving and protecting our agricultural economy and stewarding the environment for future generations. From there, Governor Kaine and his aides headed over to Albemarle Ciderworks for a wonderful and touching ceremony.
In his remarks during the ceremony, Governor Kaine highlighted several important, yet seldom known facts about agriculture and forestry in Virginia.
- Agriculture and forestry is the number one industry in Virginia – at $79 billion per year, there is not even a close second
- Currently there about 47,000 farms in Virginia
- Average size of a farm in Virginia is 170 acres
Governer Kaine also pointed out some of the key issues adversely impacting agriculture in Virginia and restated his administration’s goal to help small farms be successful. “Protecting working farms like this and open space are among the ways we can preserve our agriculture heritage and ensure that agriculture will remain a strong industry in the Commonwealth” commented Governor Kaine. His primary reason for coming to Albemarle Ciderworks, other than “to spend some time in beautiful Albemarle County”, was to “spotlight projects of great promise” that are replicable options for creating win-win situations in term of the economy, environmental stewardship and fostering of our agrarian heritage. We are pleased to know that Bundoran Farm fits in this category as well.
David Hamilton, Governor Tim Kaine and Joe Barnes at Bundoran Farm
Filed under: Agriculture, Bundoran Farm Events and Occasions, Education and Inspiration, General, Nature/Environment
What a terrific compliment for Bundoran Farm and your approach and success!
Addendum: Joe left out a great moment: Governor Kaine lands, the helo is still running, the Trooper security man is standing there by the big black SUV (“Car One” is its codename, no joke). It’s sort of like M.A.S.H. meets The West Wing.
We talk land use policy for a few minutes with the Governor, then someone says, “would you mind if we get a picture, Governor?”
He replies, “Sure, which way should we stand?” then looks around for a moment, in this valley between Hightop, Tom and Israel Mountains, then says, “…well, it’s all pretty beautiful, isn’t it?” -David