The Heritage Country Estate was established nearly 50 years ago, and today lives on. The 83 acres+/- estate is managed for the conservation values associated with nature and the land; including plants, wildlife, agricultural land, forests and natural biotic processes. The property provides special opportunities for people to connect and engage with these values.

The reliably agreeable weather, unrivaled scenery, access to public lands, and year-round activities make the area a continuously popular destination for people throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

THE HERITAGE HOME

HOME HIGHLIGHTS

• Designed and custom built in 1992 by the owner, a renowned and respected building contractor
• Southwestern design – Artist’s Home with impeccable attention to details
• Home is strategically sighted and crafted to capture and filter the natural light, featuring at least 70 Anderson windows and doors, plus custom units
• 2600 sq. ft.+/- living space
• Open design includes kitchen, living room, and dining room
• Three bedrooms, two baths, utility room, laundry, tower room, music nook, and an office (could serve as a nice fourth bedroom)
• Foyer designed to keep outside air from entering the home.
• Two patios and a large 10’x20’ private balcony
• Constructed with energy-efficient aerated autoclaved concrete block (AAC)
• Hardwood and ceramic tile flooring

• Versatile tower room perfect as a playroom for older children, and for adults seeking a space for reading, painting, or quiet reflection.
• Stone and wood gazebo overlooking “Little Lake,” fit for a serene outdoor retreat
• Equipped with 34 – 270 Watts solar panels that are grid inter-tied.
• 5000 Watt LP generator that ensures many vital functions remain operational during a power outage.
• Electrical wiring was updated in 2024 for safety and convenience
• Starlink satellite for fast and reliable internet connections with WIFI calling
• Very productive drilled water well that has never failed
• Forty-gallon white oak rain barrel
• Two wood-fired heating stoves. One stove originated in Germany and is about 150 years old (Kachelofen).  The second stove was made by a master craftsman from Bern, Switzerland.
• Mitsubishi mini-split system on the main house provides heat in moderate temperatures and aids in cooling when necessary
• A large woodshed is close to the house and connected by a covered breezeway
• GE LP-gas range
• Electric hot water heater
• Samsung dryer – Maytag washer
• Whirlpool refrigerator
• Recently serviced septic tank that passed inspection
• Galvalume Standing Seam Metal roof installed in 2015 for adequate protection.

ROOM DIMENSIONS

MAIN LEVEL
Foyer – 18’ x 7’
Front Hallway – 18’ x 6’
Half Bath – 5 x 4’
Closet – 6’ x 6’
Soapstone Stove space – 3’ x 4’
Bath Hallway – 8’ x 3’
Storage space – 6’ x 3’
Laundry Room – 7’ x 10’
Bedroom/Office  – 11’ x 11’ + sleeping alcove 4’ x 7’
Dining Room – 10’ x 13’
Living Room – 15’ x 13’
Music Alcove – 10’ x 7’ hexagonal
German Stove Area – 6’ x 5’
Kitchen – 12’ x 11’
Hallway – 8’ x 5”
Storage/pantry – 6’ x 7’
Stairs – 8’ x 3’
Full Bath 7’ x 6
Stairs – 3’ x 5’

SECOND LEVEL
Bedroom #1 – 8’ x 10’
Bedroom #2 – 10’ x 11’ floor
Bedroom #3 – 15’ x 21’ floor
Bedroom #4 – 15’ x 16’
Private Balcony – 14’ x 18’

Breezeway – 16’ x 6’
Woodshed – 13’ x 14’
Garden Shed – 6’ x 8’
Green House – 10’x 20’

THIRD LEVEL
Tower Room – 8’ x 8’ Octagonal

*All measurements are approximate.

HOME CONSTRUCTION

Natural light and the location of the home, are paramount for comfortable living.

The Heritage Home utilizes an eco-friendly and very efficient building block – Aeriated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC). The AAC, which has been produced and used for more than 90 years in Europe, offers several advantages over other conventional cement construction materials, including lowering environmental impact. Other advantages of AAC include:

• Improved thermal efficiency reduces the heating and cooling load in buildings.
• Its porous structure gives superior fire resistance.
• Workability allows accurate cutting and fitting to precise dimensions, thereby minimizing solid waste generation during use.
• Eco-friendly material that does not cause environmental pollution but rather contributes positively to LEED rating green building material.
• Resource efficiency gives it a lower environmental impact in all phases from the processing of raw materials to the ultimate disposal of waste.
• Being light-weighted, the blocks can be handled easily, thereby reducing transportation and labor costs and increasing the chances of survival during seismic activity.
• Availability of larger block sizes leads to faster masonry work.
• Reduces project costs for large constructions.

• Fire-resistant: AAC, like other concretes, is fire-resistant.
• Good ventilation: AAC’s airiness allows water diffusion, reduces humidity inside the building, and helps prevent condensation and other mildew- related problems.
• Non-toxic: Autoclaved aerated concrete is free from toxic gases or substances. Also, it does not attract rodents or other pests and cannot be damaged by them.
• Accuracy: AAC panels and blocks are produced to the exact specification needed before leaving the factory, reducing the need for on-site trimming. Furthermore, since the blocks and panels fit so well together, there is less use of finishing materials such as mortar.
• Long-lasting:  AAC’s durability is top-notch since it can withstand harsh climates and extreme weather changes without degradation. It retains its structural integrity.

HEATING – TWO WOOD STOVES

The main heat sources for the home are two tile wood-fired stoves, Kachelöfen, which are typical to southern Germany, Austria, and Switzlerland.  One of the tile stoves is 150 years old and came from an old castle near Frankfurt, Germany, “Schloss Heusenstamm hat Geburtstag.”  The stove was dismantled at the castle and shipped to West Virginia, and reassembled and installed by a master stove builder who flew in from Bern, Switzerland.

The second stove is made of soapstone tile sourced from Charlottesville, Virginia. This stove was hand-made by another master stove builder from Switzerland.

These “Kachelöfen” have long masonry ducts which transfer the heat from the fire to the masonry body of the stove which stores the heat and then slowly emits heat over hours.  These wood stoves are very energy efficient.  Even in the dead of winter, only a short fire twice a day is needed to heat the house.

A Mitsubishi mini-split system on the main house to heat in the coldest temperatures, and, if necessary, helps with cooling.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 82 acres +/- with about 25 acres of bottomland hayfields and the 48 acre +/- balance in good timber
• Spring Creek, a significant blueline stream, flows through the property for one-half mile+/-, enhancing the property’s charm
• Custom built 2,600 sq ft +/- energy-efficient home with incredible natural light, exquisite tile, and hardwoods throughout
• Pear and apple orchard surrounded by 8’ woven wire deer fence
• A Conservation Easement runs with the land, preserving its natural beauty for generations to come
• Serene and remote location but not isolated. Essential stores like Dollar General, gas stations, and convenience stores are accessible within 10-15 minutes’ drive
• 82+/- acres of multi-use, including timber investment, agricultural, recreational, and residential development
• Heritage presents an opportunity to create a lasting generational legacy
• Estimated $80,751 of timber ready for immediate harvest, producing a strong cash flow to offset purchase and holding costs.  The current owners have opted to place the value of standing timber above potential income from a timber sale.
• Carbon Credits are intact and have not been sold or leased, and therefore, will convey with the property
• Proximity to America’s newest national park, the 80,000-acre New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, and the 900,000-acre Monongahela National Forest
• Forest trails ideal for ATV riding, hiking, camping, hunting, and nature viewing
• Cell coverage is possible with Starlink’s high-speed internet and Wi-Fi
• Dark skies with little or no light pollution, perfect for star gazing and planet observation
• Jet airport service in Lewisburg, Roanoke, Charleston
• The mature forest is comprised of Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Poplar and Maple
• City amenities are 30 minutes from Lewisburg, the Greenbrier County seat
• A rich, diverse, and dynamic resident wildlife population
• Dynamic forest with some Heritage trees estimated to be 150-200 years old
• Forest soaks up tons of Carbon Dioxide and produces tons of life-giving oxygen
• The environment enhances the development of a rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle
• Several area interstates provide access to higher population areas
• Surrounded by high mountain farms and large timber tracts in a quiet rural neighborhood
• Low taxes and low population density
• All mineral rights in the chain of title will convey with the property

EXTERIOR BUILDINGS & IMPROVEMENTS

GARAGE

• 30’ x 32’
• Concrete floor
• Shelving and storage
• Shop lights
• Electric garage door
• Attached storage building 10’x12’

THREE BARNS INFORMATION

• New Red Barn – 22’ x 56’ with attached 12’ x 24’ shed and a durable standing seam metal roof
• Blue Barn – 36’ x 18’, featuring a standing seam metal roof
• Pole Barn/Machine shed – 24’ x 48’ with four bays and two lofts, metal and cedar siding, and a standing seam metal roof with gutters

OTHER OUTBUILDINGS AND EXTERIOR FEATURES

• Work Shop – 36’ x 20’ with two vehicle bays and 14’ x 16’ workbench, cinderblock construction, metal roof, concrete floor, plywood ceiling, and large shop lights
• Woodshed – 32’ x 10’, with a standing seam metal roof
• Root cellar – 15’ x 15’ built of cinderblocks
• Lower garden shed and blended garden potting shed
• Fruit orchard and lower garden enclosed by an eight-foot-high woven wire fence to keep out deer
• Woven wire and board fencing on surrounds the hayfields and estate grounds

THE ESTATE GROUNDS

• The estate grounds encompass about 7 acres of well-maintained land
• “Little Lake” is a thoughtfully designed and meticulously constructed one-quarter acre water feature showcasing a wisteria-covered stone and wood gazebo, large weeping willows, and stone pathways.
• Diverse and mixed, beautifully cultivated garden dedicated to shrubs, trees, flowers, herbs, vegetables, berries, butterflies, etc., complete with a potting shed and greenhouse
• A historic 30-year-old fruit orchard contains 6 Bartlett and 6 Bosc Pears trees and varieties of apple trees consisting of 4 York, 8 Macintosh, and 8 Stayman
• An eight-foot-high woven wire fence surrounds the Orchard and lower to deter wildlife (deer)
• 50 years ago, in an effort to reclaim and conserve depleted farmland, areas along the county road were planted in white pine. This planting not only healed the land but also created a beautiful and effective natural privacy screen

GARDENS AND ORCHARDS

• A historic 30-year-old fruit orchard contains 6 Bartlett and 6 Bosc Pears trees and varieties of apple trees consisting of 4 York, 8 Macintosh, and 8 Stayman
• An eight-foot-high woven wire fence surrounds the Orchard and lower to deter wildlife (deer)
• 50 years ago, in an effort to reclaim and conserve depleted farmland, areas along the county road were planted in white pine. This planting not only healed the land but also created a beautiful and effective natural privacy screen

SPRING CREEK

Spring Creek flows through the property for about one-half mile, offering a unique natural feature. Interestingly, at different times of the year, sections of Spring Creek’s water will sink and flow underground through subterranean caverns before popping back up to the surface a few miles downstream of the property. Happily, the Heritage Country Estate section remains consistently flowing; it does not sink, and live water can be found year-round. Notably, the creek features a natural water hole that is perfect for creekside recreational fun with friends and family. When the water levels are high enough, kayakers can navigate the gentle current of Spring Creek using short and lightweight kayaks (8-10 feet long).

This rocky bottom mountain stream flows over stones, sand, boulders, and ledges, creating rapids, rills, and small waterfalls along its journey.

Spring Creek is one of Greenbrier County’s most important drainage basins and is a major tributary of the Greenbrier River. Its headwaters originate about 10 miles upstream of the property.

Being some twenty miles long, Spring Creek meanders through thousands of acres on its twisting and curving journey through cattle and sheep farms, unbroken forests, steep mountain canyons, bottomland forests, wetlands and marshes before ending its trip at Spring Creek Station, emptying into the waters of the Greenbrier River. From this confluence, the Greenbrier flows to the New River, to the Kanawha, on to the Ohio, then down the Mississippi, and ultimately flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. Interestingly, it is said that the waters of Spring Creek will arrive in the Gulf of Mexico 3 to 4 days after entering the Greenbrier River.

For many decades, a railroad ran alongside the 20 miles +/- length of Spring Creek, connecting to the main line of the C&O Railroad on the Greenbrier River.

CREEKSIDE WILDLIFE

Spring Creek harbors a diverse range of wildlife both in its waters and around its edges. Permanent and seasonal residents include beavers, otters, minks, raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, kingfishers, minnows, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bullfrogs, eagles, owls, hawks, birds, and neotropical songbirds. The creek has been identified as having significant aquatic conservation assets such as habitat supporting Hellbenders and Fresh Water Jellyfish.

The miles of “edge effect” benefit all the resident wildlife. In addition to those listed above, white-tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, coyote, fox, chipmunk, and many species of songbirds make up the resident wildlife population along the creek.

Equally important is the rich insect and microscopic life that flourishes here. Butterflies, dragonflies, water skaters, water beetles, damselflies, hellgrammites, tadpoles, and various insect larvae contribute to the creek’s ecological diversity.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The forest is made up of two very distinct woodlots:

• The “Dry Face” Woodlot: Parcels above the county road and facing west, this woodlot supports species of plants and trees that tolerate the drier conditions caused by the sun beating down for several hours each day. Although dry, this woodlot offers an opportunity to explore an interesting and, at times, surprising environment.
• The “Dark Side” Woodlot: Located across Spring Creek and facing east, this woodlot benefits from fewer hours of exposure to sunlight and, as a result, is in consistently moist condition. This habitat supports plants and trees that thrive in damp conditions. Trees grow quickly and are of very superior quality in comparison to the “dry side.”

The abundant timber resource, consisting of about 48 acres, is well positioned for current timber income and value appreciation over the coming decades. With an attractive species mix, adequate stocking levels, and favorable diameter class distribution, the timber amenity represents a strong component of value to the investor.

Heritage’s forest resource is rich in quality Appalachian hardwoods, including White pine and a few Eastern Hemlocks. This timber resource offers a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue that could be leveraged to offset holding costs and contribute to long-term asset appreciation. The capital timber value of the timber and pulpwood has not been determined at this time.

The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of Black Walnut, Sugar Maple, Poplar/Basswood, Red Oak Group, White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Soft Maple, Hickory, and a host of associated species (Ash, Cedar, Birch, Sourwood, Black Gum, and Beech), enhancing the forest’s overall appeal and value.

Forest-wide, most stands are fully stocked, offering the next ownership great flexibility in shaping their own silvicultural legacy. Stem quality forest-wide can be considered excellent.

The property’s timber component has been well managed over the years, resulting in stands of differing age classes. The predominant timber stand consists of trees aged between 30 and 140 years, with diameters ranging in size of 10 to 30 inches at breast height (dbh).

Diameters are well represented across the commercial spectrum, with a notable mature size class, abundant pole-size timber, and growing stock. Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest and old field edges. These ancient trees, some of which are 200-300 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes, and fire.

The forest is healthy, with no signs of Gypsy Moth pest infestation. However, the Emerald Ash Borer, which has inundated the entire Northeast US, is present, and the Ash component is expected to decline significantly over the next decade. Additionally, the Eastern Hemlock species is under siege by the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, which will lead to a substantial decrease in hemlock populations over the coming decade. Fortunately, there have been no forest fires in recent memory.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns, and cool green mosses.

There are a few fruit trees scattered about, some of which were part of the early homestead. Crops of black walnuts and hickory nuts are produced yearly from the black walnut and hickory trees scattered about.

The area is conducive for beekeeping as honeybees thrive well here. Also,  the sugar and red maple trees growing on the property present the potential for producing maple syrup.

TIMBER INVENTORY

Fully liquidated commercial timber Value estimated by a professional forester to be approximately $80,761 in July 2024. 

Timber data in this report are based upon a 2024 timber inventory that was conducted by an experienced professional forestry consultant.

The forester took 36 systematic samples using a basal area factor of 15 across the forest. The inventory shows 375,270 board feet of hardwood sawtimber and veneer 12” dbh and larger. The trees diameter were measured at breast height (dbh) applying the Doyle Scale, Form Class 78 & 80.

Species composition:

The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of:

• 14% White Oak/Chestnut Oak – 54 MBF
• 38% Red Oak Group – 147 MBF
• 23% Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood – 100 MBF
• 5% White Pine – 31 MBF
• 9 % A host of associate species (Birch, Beech, Sycamore, Maples, Black Gum, Locust, Hickory, Black Cherry) – 37 MBF

DISCLAIMER: The above-listed volumes are estimates only for the benefit of the owners and are not guaranteed. Due to variations in timber utilization and logging techniques, potential buyers should make their own determination of the quantity, quality and commercial value of the timber.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

Heritage encompasses approximately 23 acres of level land currently producing hay. Once the hay season ends, cattle are allowed to graze the grass.

The ongoing grassland management program is designed to increase hay production and extend the grazing season.

The well-maintained grasslands also aid in water conservation and in filtering out manure and nutrients, which prevents them from entering nearby water bodies and protects water quality, human health, and animal health.

The hayfields are fenced with woven wire and a section of board fencing.

There are three concrete watering troughs. One trough is spring-fed, and the other two get water from the farm pond.

The owners have chosen to dedicate an additional four acres of their agricultural land to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).  This voluntary partnership with the USDA aims to take agricultural land along streams, ditches, and wetlands out of production and to establish riparian buffer zones.

Establishing and maintaining riparian buffer zones along streams and watercourses helps to slow down the water as it runs across the landscape, intercepts sediment and nutrients, and consequently helps to stabilize streambanks.  Riparian buffer zones also help to enhance aquatic ecosystems by providing shade and cover along streambanks, reducing nutrient loading, and providing corridors for local wildlife populations to access cover and water.

RECREATION AT HERITAGE COUNTRY ESTATE

This property offers matchless recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the Greenbrier River and the 900,000-acre Monongahela National Forest.

Nature Viewing: Attentive wildlife management has been geared not just to game animals. Equal consideration has been extended to increasing the numbers and diversity of species, including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, and hawks.

Stargazing-Planet Observation:
Complete darkness can still be found in areas of the property, providing a perfect setting for viewing the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Water-sports: Enthusiasts will find the nearby Greenbrier River ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and windsurfing.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking:
The gently laying land may be used for conventional and mountain biking, hiking, or horseback riding.

Shooting-sports:  Devotees will find all the land and privacy needed to engage in and enjoy shooting sports.

All Terrain Motorsports:
The internal roads and forest trails make it perfect to experience the property in an ATV.

CARBON SEQUESTION

The 48 +/- acres woodlands are a tremendous producer of Oxygen and sequester of Carbon Dioxide. Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing them into the atmosphere as oxygen.  The vigorously growing forest and pasture grasses are sequestering thousands of tons of Carbon Dioxide each per year and producing tons and tons of life-giving Oxygen.

This natural process allows the owner (and family/friends) the opportunity to potentially enjoy a carbon neutral footprint.

The leasing of “Carbon Credits” to environmental mitigation companies is a rapidly emerging financial opportunity for the property owner to receive income without placing any burden on the land. The leases can be for as little as one year.

WATER

Spring Creek, a blueline stream, flows through the property for just under ½ mile. Regular water flow should occur, especially during rain events and snow melt. The property also has a ¼-acre water feature as part of the home grounds.

THE FOREVER GIFT – A CONSERVATION EASEMENT

Mindful of the public benefit flowing from the conservation values of their land and the threats posed to those values in a climate of increasing development pressure, the sellers granted an open space easement to the WV Outdoor Heritage Fund/Greenbrier County Farmland Protection Board, a non-profit organization. This easement restricts the use and development of their land in perpetuity, with the intent to forever preserve the existing rural landscape, scenic environment, and watershed.

The Heritage Country Estate conservation easement allows the owners to permanently protect their land from future and more intensive uses while still maintaining ownership. The owner may continue to utilize the property as before the easement except that certain rights in ownership are no longer available, the principal of which is the right to subdivide the property.

The easement permits traditional uses of the property, such as farming, forestry, hunting, hiking, fishing, and limited single-family home construction. Other permitted uses include agriculture, viticulture, aquaculture, silviculture, horticulture, and equine activities, as well as temporary or seasonal outdoor activities.

The Heritage Country Estate acts as sanctuary for:

• Plants, including flowers, trees, ferns, vines, grasses, sedges, rushes, cattails, herbs, spores, pollens, and nectars
• Lichens, mushrooms, mosses, fungi, mycelium, worts, microbes, algae, cyanobacteria, and spores
• Wildlife, including beaver, otters, mink, raccoons, opossums, herons, geese, wood ducks, mallards, minnows, fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bullfrogs, eagles, hawks, songbirds, woodpeckers, deer, black bear, turkey, coyotes, bobcat, voles, field mice, and rabbits
• Insects and the microscopic world, including butterflies, dragonflies, pond skaters, water beetles, damselflies, tadpoles, hellgrammites, insect larvae, honeybees, bumblebees, wasps, ants, and beetles
• Natural biotic processes of birth, growth, death, and decay
• Geological and archeological features
• Other areas of special interest
• People especially – to engage with nature and develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world

The terms of the Conservation Easement will be furnished upon request.

CONSERVATION – A LIFESTYLE

Conservation of resources can be as simple as collecting rainwater in a recycled oak barrel for use in the garden, planting trees and ground covers, using reclaimed brick for walkways, using natural stone for benches, and using highly efficient windows.

When selecting building techniques and construction materials, conserving resources and systems efficiency are top considerations.

SOLAR SYSTEM

The Heritage Country Estate utilizes a solar system consisting of thirty-four 270-Watts solar panels mounted on the roof of the detached garage.  The solar panels are inter-tied.

Like most solar panel installations throughout the US, Heritage is connected to the grid. With grid-tied systems, the solar panel draws power from the grid when it is not producing electricity. Additionally, if more electricity is consumed than what the panels generate while the sun is shining, the owners can supplement their energy needs with electricity from the grid. When the solar panels generate more electricity than is being used, the excess kilowatt-hours (kWh) are exported to the grid. The Heritage owner, being a utility customer offering net metering, will receive credits for this surplus electricity, which can be applied toward future electric bills.

A 5000-Watt LP Generator supports many vital functions, ensuring they remain operational in the event of a power outage.

THE DYNAMIC WETLAND

A small wetland is currently in the early stages of development but holds great promise to become a rich, diverse, biological ecosystem, being akin to the world’s largest swamps found in the Florida Everglades and the Amazon River Basin. The small but mighty wetland works to provide “ecosystem services”—non-monetary, essential benefits like clean water, fresh air, carbon sequestration, and nature viewing.

Eventually, the wetlands will house butterflies, turtles, frogs, crawdads, songbirds, salamanders, newts, and a host of other aquatic invertebrates, migratory birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Wetlands are a very productive part of the environment and sometimes surpass even some agricultural soils in vegetation production. This vegetation serves important purposes, such as sheltering and feeding many wildlife species that cannot survive elsewhere.

Remarkably, almost 35 percent of all rare and endangered species depend, in some way, on wetlands. More common wetland species provide enjoyment to many by serving educational, research, and recreational needs. Waterfowl and many furbearers such as beaver, mink, and muskrat provide both consumptive and non-consumptive recreation and also depend on wetlands. Some fringe wetlands provide the food that young fish need to survive.

Moreover, wetlands impact environmental sustainability by slowing water flow and preventing banks from eroding. Wetlands also trap and settle suspended silt, preventing it from smothering fish eggs and covering insects and other animals that fish eat.

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops cultivated are medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Other crops that can be produced include shade-loving native ornamentals, moss, fruit, nuts, other food crops, and decorative materials for crafts. These crops are often referred to as special forest products.

Here are some specific examples of crops in each category that are currently being cultivated:

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms
• Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

WILDLIFE

Over four decades of wildlife management practices have transformed this area into an ideal wildlife sanctuary. From the outset, management goals promoted overall wildlife health, developed wildlife viewing areas, increased carrying capacity, and increased species diversity.

The Greenbrier River and New River are major contributors to the local ecosystem’s richness and diversity for plants and animals. Spring Creek and the surrounding aquatic plant life foster a water-supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the margins of the creek are fringed by wetlands, which support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize the creek bank up and downstream. The plant life associated with the wetland includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed, and algae.

Many animals live permanently and part-time in the water and around the edges of the stream. These include raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bullfrogs, eagles, hawks, and redwing blackbirds.

There is the insect and microscopic world, including butterflies, dragonflies, pond skaters, water beetles, damselflies, tadpoles, and various insect larvae.

The diverse tree species, coupled with the abundant water supply, create the perfect wildlife habitat. The miles of “edge effect” created between farm fields, creeks, hollows, ridges, and rock outcrops benefit all the resident wildlife. Bald eagles, whitetail deer, black bears, wild turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, bobcats, raccoons, foxes, and many species of songbirds, owls, and raptors make up the resident wildlife population.

The hardwood forest provides an essential nutrient source, producing tons of hard mast, including acorns, hickory nuts, beech nuts, and black walnuts. Soft mast includes stag horn sumac, black cherry, tulip poplar seeds, maple seeds, autumn olive berries, and blackberries.

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just as it was 200 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property remains self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without electricity.

• Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from springs and drilled water wells (hand-drawing water from the wells using a cylinder well bucket).
• The creek, nearby river, and surrounding forest would provide fresh food (fish, deer, and turkey).
• The agricultural land’s flat to rolling topography would be used to raise livestock of all kinds (chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, etc.) The land can also be farmed with horse-drawn equipment and would support vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats, and barley.
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles.
• The forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, basket splints, maple syrup, and pounds of nuts (walnuts, beechnuts, and hickory nuts).

GEOLOGY

The Heritage Country Estate is nestled between the folded Ridge and Valley Province to the east and the younger Allegheny Plateau to the west. The Greenbrier River flows 162 miles southwest and empties into the world’s third oldest river, the New River.

The farm has many interesting “riches from the earth” in the form of sandstone, shale, fossils, geodes, and curious rock outcrops.

Just 25 miles south of the property, rockhounds can take a trip through time riding on I-64 from Dawson to the WV/VA boundary, showcasing a fascinating progression of rock formation, and a younger Mississippian formations to the older Devonian mountains.

The rich coal fields lying several miles to the northwest were formed about 300 million years ago during the Pennsylvanian and Permian periods. At that time, the West Virginia area was located south of the equator and gradually moving north. Coal, a combustible sedimentary rock, formed when our area was covered with huge, tropical, swampy forests where plants – giant ferns, reeds, and mosses grew. When the plants died, they piled up in swamps. Over time, heat and pressure transformed the buried materials into peat and into various forms of coal. These prehistoric coalfields continue to provide energy and industry to residents of West Virginia, the nation, and the world.

The Droop Sandstone, a very hard, quartz-rich rock originally deposited as sand beaches along an ancient shoreline, is very common in the area. The erosion-resistant Droop Sandstone creates numerous sheer rock cliff formations. Locally, the Muddy Creek Mountain quarry produces decorative sandstone from the Droop, which is globally renowned for its beauty and durability.

In addition to the formation of coal, limestone was also formed tens to hundreds of million years ago, possibly during the Hadean or at the beginning of the Archean. Unfortunately, there is no geological registry for limestone. Two limestone quarries operate south of the property in the Alta area of Greenbrier County, and one is located to the north in Pocahontas County.

ARCHEOLOGY

The Heritage Country Estate is located in the Greenbrier River Valley – New River Valley regions and contains fascinating Native American artifacts.

Native American Indians who lived in the River Valleys of the Ohio, Kanawha, Greenbrier, and Roanoke, as well as northern Georgia, upper SC, and Tennessee, were part of the Archaic Period culture. This culture lasted from about 10,000 to 3,000 BP (before present day).

Native American artifact collectors in this region often search for and have found arrowheads, spear points, tomahawks, tools, and toys (such as marbles). Most of these artifacts date back to the Archaic period and can be readily found on any flat areas on the creek that would be one foot higher than the creek’s bank.

The American Native Indians who lived in what is now West Virginia led a Stone Age lifestyle – they only had stone tools and weapons, had never seen a horse, or had any knowledge of the wheel.

The way of life and history of West Virginia Indians was dictated by the natural raw materials available to them.

• Way of Life (Lifestyle): Hunter-gatherers, farmers, fishers, trappers
• Types of housing, homes or shelters: Wigwams (Birchbark houses)
• Crops: Corn (maize), pumpkin, squash, beans, and tobacco
• Trees: Poplars, birches, elms, maples, oaks, pines, fir trees, and spruce trees
• Transport: Birchbark canoes
• Clothing: Little clothing in the summer, animal skins (Buckskin) in winter
• Languages: Iroquoian and Algonquian

RECREATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

One of the standout aspects of the Heritage Country Estate is the on-site recreation. Roads and trails are present throughout, providing convenient access to nearly every corner of the property, making it perfect for hiking, trail running, horseback riding, mountain biking, or ATV’s.  Although there are presently no horses on the property, the grassland area is fenced and stands ready to welcome equestrians. The facilities could easily be expanded and improved to suit the preference of the next owner.

Wildlife populations on the property are substantial and healthy; deer, black bears, turkeys, squirrels, songbirds, raptors, amphibians, reptiles, and a wealth of insects are all present and commonly seen.

Nature viewing is currently a focus at Heritage, and there are sufficient opportunities to develop additional wildlife habitat and expand the opportunities to view nature in all seasons.

 Beyond Heritage, recreation opportunities continue, and the vast public land in Greenbrier and adjacent Pocahontas County beckons outdoor enthusiasts. Likewise, the celebrated go courses and sporting amenities of the Greenbrier Resort are also conveniently accessible and offer an unusually balanced range of activities for a property in such a rural location. Furthermore, West Virginia’s largest Ski Resort and Events destination is just about 90-minute drive.

In the early days of Virginia, the area now comprising Greenbrier County was considered the frontier, and its mountainous terrain and rural character gives the area the feeling of being wonderfully removed. A significant portion of the county is covered by public land, serving as a well-deserved reputation as a destination playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

The rugged Allegheny Mountains serve as the area’s backdrop and provide endless hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, while the surrounding rivers and streams are known for some of the best fly fishing in West Virginia. Endless mountain streams feed the Greenbrier River, which supports outstanding populations of smallmouth – largemouth bass, muskie, crappie, perch, and other warm-water species.

A MOST PLEASANT CLIMATE

Heritage experiences an enjoyable four-season climate ideal for growing grapes, berries, apples, peaches, flowers, gardens, hay, and all kinds of row crops. The elevation and surrounding mountains contribute favorably to their growth. Honey, maple syrup, and molasses production all thrive exceptionally well in this climate, as do livestock, poultry, and people.

Summers are noticeably cooler than areas to the east, with average high temperatures in the 70s and 80s. During the winter, high temperatures reach the 50s and 60s, with lows dropping to the teens. Spring and fall generally feature spectacular weather that highlights the brilliant colors of the changing seasons, and temperatures average in the 60s. Annual rainfall is approximately 44 inches, while annual snowfall is approximately 39 inches.

BUTTERFLIES

Heritage is an excellent habitat for butterflies, especially monarchs. The monarch highly depends on the milkweed plant and returns to areas rich in milkweed to lay their eggs. The milkweed they consume as caterpillars contain toxins stored in their bodies, making the butterfly taste terrible to predators. Their bright orange wings serve as a warning signal.

Each fall, in one of the world’s astounding natural animal events, tens of millions of monarch butterflies migrate as much as 3,000 miles from the northeast U.S. and Canada to their wintering grounds in central Mexico. They use air currents and thermals to travel such incredible distances.

Other butterflies that visit Heritage include eastern tiger and spicebush swallowtails, silver-spotted skippers, and a variety of sulphurs and whites. Another interesting insect to visit the property is the Black Saddlebag Dragonfly, a regular guest of the lake and wetlands, with all the frogs, fish, and turtles.

PERMACULTURE FARMING

The three core tenets of permaculture are:

• Care for the earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply. This is the first principle because, without a healthy earth, humans cannot flourish.
• Care for the people: Provision of access to resources necessary for human existence
• Setting limits to population and consumption: By governing our own needs, we can set resources aside to further the above principles. This includes returning waste back into the system to recycle and turn it into usefulness. The third ethic is sometimes called ‘Fair Share,’ which reflects that we should take no more than what we need before we reinvest the surplus.

Permaculture design emphasizes patterns of landscape, function, and species assemblies. It determines where these elements should be placed so they can provide maximum benefit to the local environment. Permaculture maximizes useful connections between components and synergy of the final design. The focus of permaculture, therefore, is not on each separate element but rather on the relationships created among elements by the way they are placed together; the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

Permaculture design, therefore, aims to minimize waste, human labor, and energy input by building systems and maximizing benefits between design elements to achieve a high level of synergy. Permaculture designs evolve by considering these relationships and elements and evolving into extremely complex systems that produce a high density of food and materials with minimal input.

The design principles, which are the conceptual foundation of permaculture, were derived from the science of systems ecology and the study of pre-industrial sustainable land use. Permaculture draws from several disciplines, including organic farming, agroforestry, integrated farming, sustainable development, and applied ecology. Permaculture has been applied mostly to housing and landscaping design, incorporating techniques like agroforestry, natural building, and rainwater harvesting within its design principles and theory.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 38.080216°(N), -80.386038°(W)
Address: 5219 Leonard Cordova Road, Renick, WV 24966
Elevation Range: 2187 ft. to 2668 ft. +/-

Drive Times

Towns and Highway
I-64 Lewisburg Ronceverte Exit 169: 35 minutes
Beckley: 1 hour 15 minutes
Charleston: 2 hours 30 minutes
Fairlea: 50 minutes
Lewisburg (main town): 40 minutes
Roanoke, VA: 2 hours 20 minutes
White Sulphur Springs and The Greenbrier Resort: 55 minutes

Airport
Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg: 40 minutes

Medical
Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Fairlea: 55 minutes

Recreation
Beartown State Park: 20 minutes
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park: 20 minutes
Greenbrier Aquatic Center, Fairlea: 50 minutes
Greenbrier State Forest, Harts Run, WV: 55 minutes
New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville: 1 hour 54 minutes
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Sandstone: 1 hour 15 minutes
State Fair of West Virginia, Fairlea: 50 minutes
Watoga State Park: 45 minutes

Recreation – Lakes
Bluestone Lake, Hinton: 1 hour 35 minutes
Lake Moomaw, Virginia: 1 hour 15 minutes
Summersville Lake, Summersville: 1 hour 50 minutes
Summit Lake: 1 hour

Note: Potential purchasers must be accompanied by a Foxfire Realty agent to tour the Heritage County Estate. 72 hours’ notice and confirmed appointment scheduling with listing office are required. Proof of funds are required to schedule. Please contact the Foxfire Realty office at 304-645-7674 to tour this property.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights the owner has will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property was surveyed in June 2015 for use with the Greenbrier County Farmland Protection Board Conservation Easement, and a plat was prepared from that survey. The property, totaling 82.39+/- acres, is being sold by boundary rather than by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: Well
Sewer: Private septic serviced 5/2024
Electricity: Solar with a 5,000-watt whole-house Briggs & Stratton standby generator
Telephone: Landline with in-house wiring
Internet: Starlink
Cellphone Coverage: Available with Wi-Fi

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

Leonard Cordova Road Rt. 5 runs through the property and along a portion of the boundary for a total distance of about 4/10 mile.

ZONING

Greenbrier County is subject to some zoning and subdivision regulations. All prospective buyers should consult the County Commission and the Health Department for details regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

Home Ground: 7+/- acres
Fields: 24+/- acres
Forestland: 48+/- acres
Creek Area: 5+/- acres
Stages of vegetation: Only a small portion

(This summary is an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography.  It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 457 Pg. 63 and DB 383 Pg. 383, less conveyances

Greenbrier County, West Virginia
Acreage: 82.39 acres +/- by survey

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Greenbrier County (13), West Virginia
Falling Springs District (4)
Tax Map 34 Parcels 28 and 28.3; Class 2; with Conservation Easement

2023 Real Estate Taxes: $1029.94

SCHOOLS

 **Home Schooling is popular in WV

Greenbrier County School District

Public Elementary School:
Frankford Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Eastern Greenbrier Middle School

Public High School:
Greenbrier East High School

Colleges:
New River Community and Technical College (Lewisburg campus)
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Private Schools:
Greenbrier Community School (PK-8)
Greenbrier Valley Academy (2-8)
Lewisburg Baptist Academy (PK-12)
Renick Christian School (2-7)
Seneca Trail Christian Academy (PK-12)

Information provided by Foxfire Realty is believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified by potential purchasers. Foxfire Realty and the Seller(s) make no representations or warranties about the property or the accuracy or completeness of the Information concerning the property, including, but not limited to, title, mineral rights, condition, access, acreage, zoning, taxes, square footage, measurements, protective covenants.  Information concerning the property is provided for marketing purposes only and is subject to change, withdrawal, or correction.   Foxfire Realty is not responsible for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions concerning Information about the property, and provided information is not a substitute for inspections, surveys, title searches or other due diligence by potential purchasers.  Photographs may be digitally enhanced, and maps are provided for informational purposes only. 

Buyer’s agents must be identified on the first contact with Foxfire Realty and must accompany the buyer on showings to receive fee participation.