The Land Trust of Virginia is pleased to announce that Atoka Farm, located four miles west of Middleburg in Marshall, VA is now perpetually conserved in an Open Space Easement donated by property owner Mike Smith who purchased the farm in 2016. The 350-acre farm had the potential to be developed into 20 parcels. This conservation easement drastically reduces that number to three.

Mike Smith said that he and Wendy, "... realized, shortly after moving to Poplar Grange, how important it was to protect the beauty of Atoka Farm. To have been able to purchase this beautiful farm and then to have been able to preserve it for the future has given us great peace of mind. It holds great historical and political significance; history from the Civil War, and political from Senator John Warner's many functions when he owned it. In addition, we appreciate the abundance of native species of trees, plants, and animals that can continue to be protected on this land. This open space is a prime location for Fox Hunting, which I very much enjoy as a member of the Piedmont Fox Hounds. So, it is for all these reasons that we sought protection. Working with the Land Trust of Virginia's staff and the board was very productive and efficient."

Senator Warner's response, upon learning of the protection, "It was a wonderful gesture for Mike Smith to preserve this historic property for future generations to enjoy."

Atoka Farm has substantial road frontage on a number of local roads, and with several access points, it was very vulnerable to development. With this easement, the viewshed along these roads is now protected. It has 0.69 miles of frontage on Atoka Road, a Virginia Byway, 0.35 miles of frontage on Rectors Lane, 0.45 miles of frontage on Rt. 50, another Virginia Byway. It also has 0.99 miles of frontage on Crenshaw Road, a County-designated scenic road. Plus the property contains 275 acres of important farmland soils and includes 55 acres of forest cover. The property also has important historical value, containing 99 acres of the Core Battlefield area for the Civil War Battle of Upperville, as well as eight buildings that contribute to Cromwell's Run Rural Historic District. Atoka Farm contains 0.97 miles of Goose Creek, a state scenic river, which flows through the westernmost portion of the property, and 26.7 acres of wetlands as designated in the National Wetlands Inventory.

Atoka Farm has a storied history and was most famously owned by Senator John Warner and Elizabeth Taylor. It was also home to Hubert Phipps, the previous owner and editor of The Fauquier Democrat, now The Fauquier Times. Mr. Phipps was also a successful racehorse breeder.

"Atoka Farm has significant conservation values, both historically and ecologically," said Executive Director Sally Price. "We are honored that Mike Smith has chosen the Land Trust of Virginia to hold the conservation easement on this property. It brings our total acres under easement to 16,632."