West Virginia Success Story

FRPP Grand Slam

Program or Category: Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)

Overview: The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) played a part in permanently protecting farmland and wetland from development in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle. On September 24, 2007, Walter Washington, the current owner, signed the conservation easement on 219 acres surrounding the historic Harewood mansion near Charles Town. Mr. Washington is a direct descendant of George Washington’s brother, Samuel, who built Harewood in 1770.

Accomplishments: The easement ensures continued use of the farmland for agricultural purposes. The land was used historically as a dairy farm and is now leased for hay production to an adjacent landowner. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided $200,000 in matching funds toward the easement because of its prime agricultural value. “I have to say I’m honored to be here,” said Gary Mast, Deputy Under-Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), during the October 10, 2007 signing celebration. “You’ve got highly productive soils. You’ve got history going on as well as the wetlands. It’s like a grand slam.”

Program Benefits to Landowner: The funds will be placed in an endowment used to maintain the farmland and wetland.The assessment of the easement is the difference in the value of the 219 acres for development and the agricultural value. Other funding for the easement came from the Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board, the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program, The Nature Conservancy, and a substantial donation by Mr. Washington. The Land Trust will monitor the property annually to ensure that provisions of the easement are being observed.

Program Benefits to Community: Besides preserving farmland, the location also has historical significance. The Harewood mansion itself is already on the National Historic Register. The marriage of James and Dolly Madison took place there. The site is the only Washington family residence in Jefferson County still owned by a member of the family. The Battle of Summit Point in 1864 played a significant role in the outcome of the Civil War. General Jubal Early advanced over its fields to attack General Sheridan at Locust Hill, just east of the current Harewood farm. He later retreated back across the same fields when General Sheridan re-took Locust Hill. The American Battlefield Protection Program, which is part of the National Park Service, contributed to the project.

Harewood contains about 50 acres of marl wetlands, which occur mainly in the Northeast. In West Virginia, the marl wetlands only exist in Jefferson and Berkeley counties and provide a habitat for several species that are considered rare in the state including the spotted turtle, marsh skullcap, Baltic rush and great bulrush. The wetland is the water source for Evitts Run and the Altona-Piedmont marsh downstream.

Contact:
Patrick D. Bowen, Assistant State Conservationist (FO)
304-457-4516 ext 105
Patrick.Bowen@wv.usda.gov

Philippi-East Area Office
Rt. 4, Box 503
Philippi, WV 26416
Phone (304) 457-4516
Fax (304) 457-4131
http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/philippi-eao.html

Representatives of preservation and conservation groups attended a ceremonial placement of “Protected Land” signs at Harewood.

Representatives of preservation and conservation groups attended a ceremonial placement of “Protected Land” signs at Harewood. From left: Kevin Wickey (West Virginia State Conservationist), Gary Mast, (Deputy Under-Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment [NRE]); Paul Hawke (Chief of the American Battlefield Protection Program) Walter Washington (landowner); Peter Fricke (Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board); Rodney Bartgis, (State Director of The Nature Conservancy); and Grant Smith, (Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle President).

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