MEADOW BLUFF FARM

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A 256 acre +/- multi-use agricultural, timber investment, recreational and residential property located just 30 minutes from America’s 70,000 acre newest National Park

Agent Contact:
Richard Grist, 304.645.7674

Meadow Bluff Farm is a 256 acre +/- multi-use agricultural, timber investment, recreational and residential property located just 30 minutes from America’s 70,000 acre newest national park.  $147,364 in ready to harvest timber to help offset purchase and holding costs.

With about 40 acres of fields and about 235 acres of forest, the farm represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next tenure. The terrain is outstanding and considered level to slightly rolling with some steeper woodland areas.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • 256 acres +/- is the perfect size for creating a wonderful country estate
  • $147,364 in ready to harvest timber to help offset purchase and holding costs
  • Just 30 minutes to the 70,000 acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, America’s newest national park.
  • City amenities are 30 minutes to Beckley and Lewisburg
  • Exceptional cabin sites and miles of field and forest trails to hike, bike & ATV
  • 1/2 mile of dashed blue line streams with 25 additional ephemeral streams
  • 40 acres +/- of level to rolling agricultural land
  • 215 acres +/- of dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 150-200 years old
  • Early 1900’s vintage two story wooden barn plus related structures from the same period.
  • Produce your own maple syrup, golden honey, fruits, vegetables cattle, sheep and horses
  • An amazingly biodiverse wetland area
  • 10 min to the I-64 Dawson Interchange & 15 min to the Sam Black Interchange on I-64
  • Jet airport with service to Chicago and Dulles just 30 minutes’ drive
  • Forest is comprised of Red Oak, White Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Poplar, Cherry, Pine and Maples
  • Modern schools nearby with county school bus service or home schooling is popular too
  • Perfect for all water sport activities supported by the nearby Greenbrier River, New River and the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake and 5,000 acre Summersville Lake
  • 70,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park and Preserve nearby
  • Fronts on a state-maintained road – FedEx, UPS and USPS delivery
  • 90 minutes to Charleston, the State Capitol and WV’s largest metro area
  • Amazing resident wildlife population rich in diversity and ever changing
  • Fur bearing – beaver, deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox, chipmunk, opossum
  • Area winged wildlife includes Neotropical songbirds, turkey, grouse, eagles, herons, hawks, owls, ravens, king fishers, ravens, crows, and hummingbirds
  • A rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle can be easily developed
  • Cell phone coverage is good with 5G service
  • Dark skies with little or no light pollution for star gazing and planet observation
  • The 256 acres +/- offers ATV riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
  • An easy drive to higher population areas of Charleston, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg, jet airports, and 4 major interstates
  • Surrounded by timber tracts and cattle farms in a nice rural neighborhood.
  • Boone and Crocket country
  • All mineral rights in title will convey
  • Elevations run from 2448’ to 2988’
  • Low taxes, low population density

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.911585°(N), -80.724390°(W)
Address: 1130 Brown School Road, Rainelle, WV 25962
Elevation Range: 2448 ft. to 2988 ft. +/-

Meadow Bluff Farm is located in Greenbrier County, WV near Lewisburg, Beckley, Rainelle and the unincorporated communities of Dawson and Sam Black Church. This 256-acre agricultural- timberland-recreational opportunity is located in the scenic, mountainous region of southeastern West Virginia. The surrounding Greenbrier County landscape is part of the southeastern Ridge and Valley Region, a scenic tapestry of elongated hardwood Allegheny & Appalachian mountain ranges. Much of Greenbrier County remains undeveloped and is characterized by its scenic farm valleys, small communities and large expanses of hardwood forest.

DIRECTIONS

1130 Brown School Road, Rainelle, WV 25962

Please, contact the Foxfire Office at 304-645-7674 to visit this property.  Requests must be made at least 72 hours in advance.

Driving Destination Google Coordinates: 37.912752°(N), -80.723604°(W) on Brown School Road at entrance to the farm road.

From I-64 Dawson Exit 150:  5.3 miles +/- (approximately 12 minutes)

At the end of either exit ramp, turn onto Morris Branch Road toward the Exxon station and Dawson Inn motel; travel the short distance to the next intersection; turn left onto Lawn Road Rt. 27/3 toward the Exxon station and motel; travel Lawn Road for 4/10 of a mile; turn left onto Dawson Road Rt. 29; travel 1.1 miles; turn right onto Crag Road Rt. 24; travel 9/10 mile; continue straight onto Farmdale Road Rt. 26; travel 1.2 miles; turn left onto Lon Martin Road Rt. 26/2; travel 1.3 miles; turn right onto Brown School Road Rt. 20/3; travel 4/10 mile; the farm property road is on the right.

  • 12 minutes to I-64
  • 25 minutes to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Sandstone
  • 28 minutes to Lewisburg
  • 35 minutes to Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg, WV
  • 45 minutes to Beckley
  • 40 minutes to Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beckley
  • 40 minutes to The Greenbrier Resort and White Sulphur Springs
  • 40 minutes to Bluestone Lake, Hinton
  • 55 minutes to New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville
  • 60 minutes to Summersville Lake, Summersville

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 609 Pg. 462
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
Acreage: 256 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Greenbrier County (13), West Virginia
Meadow Bluff District (11)
Tax Map 75 Parcel 5; Class 2

2021 Real Estate Taxes: $421.54

UTILITIES

Electric: Onsite
Water: A water well could be drilled or mountain springs developed
Sewer: Public sewer system is not currently available. A residential septic system could be installed.
Telephone: Roadside
Cell phone Coverage: Good in most places with 5G
Internet: Service may be possible through Cable, Satellite, Cellphone hotspot
LP Gas: Available locally for delivery
Television: Cable possibly or Satellite

ZONING

Greenbrier County is subject to some zoning and subdivision regulations. All prospective buyers should consult the County Commission and also the Health Department for details regarding zoning, building codes and installation of septic systems.
Information can be found at the county website: http://greenbriercounty.net/ordinances/

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

Since this property has been an active farm for many years, portions of the property boundary are evidenced by old stock fencing and the ½ mile of county road frontage.  There has not been a perimeter survey encompassing the several contiguous parcels that make up the boundary of the farm. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property has over ½ mile of frontage on Brown School Road RT 20/3. There are miles of interior roads and trails providing access to nearly ever area of the property.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The abundant timber resource is well positioned for future timber income as well as value appreciation over the coming decades. The timber has not been harvested in 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.

A forest-wide timber inventory was conducted in April of 2020. The current Capital Timber Value is estimated to be $147,364.00.  There has been no timber harvested and the forest has been growing since the inventory was completed in 2020.  The last timber harvest (very selective thinning) was conducted some 30 years ago during the 1990’s.

2020 Timber Inventory:

Capital Timber Value of the timber and pulpwood has been estimated by a professional forester to be approximately $147,364 as of February, 2022.

Timber data in this report are based upon a 2020 timber inventory that was conducted for the ownership by an outside professional forestry consultant. Points were sampled on a grid system using a 10 factor prism resulting in a total property-wide sawlog volume on 180 acres volume of 620,000 +/- Board Feet Doyle scale with 9,477 +/- pulpwood tons. Details of the timber inventory report are available in the Pipestem Inventory Report under Maps and Documents section.

Species composition:

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

  • 17% White Oak/Chestnut Oak
  • 12% Red Oak Group
  • 27% Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood
  •  5% Sugar Maple/Soft Maple
  • 35% White Pine
  •  4% A host of associate species (Cherry, Hickory, Basswood, Walnut, Birch)

See report for details.

The property has various ages of forestland, from areas of 50-year-old forest naturally regenerated in the old farm fields to 100-year-old full canopy stands of mature forest. The forest features a timber resource with impressive commercial and pole stocking with a solid basal area per acre. This stocking is average to above average for the region.

This well managed timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation.

The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species, white pine and hemlock. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Red Oak Group, Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood, Sugar Maple/Soft Maple and a host of associated species.

There are areas of mature planted white pine that was once maintained as a Christmas Tree Farm. These beautiful areas provide an important species and wildlife diversification of the overall forest. These areas also contain a high volume of commercially valuable timber component that can be marketed to the split rail fence market.

Meadow Bluff Farm’s timber component has been well managed over many decades. The predominant timber stand of the forest is 50 to 120 year-old stems ranging in size of 12” to 40” dbh. Little, if any of this stand has been selectively harvested in the last 30 years. Some parts of this stand are comprised of long-ago abandoned farm fields that have naturally been restocked with pioneer species of poplar, white pine, and hickory. This stand is considered to be high value sawtimber and veneer.

Some areas along the property lines have not been harvested for over 100 years and represent a stand of mature and old growth timber.

Diameters are well represented across the commercial and pre-commercial spectrum with a mature size class, as well as abundant pole size timber and growing stock. Average diameter with all products combined has not been determined.

There are some trees well over 200 years old and classify as “Heritage Trees”. These amazing trees have withstood the test of time and lend an air of grace and permanency to the property.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is present and most of the Ash and Hemlock trees are severely stressed and will continue to decline over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses. There may be a few fruit trees scattered about, which were part of the early homestead. Crops of black walnuts are produced each. Honeybees will do very well here.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

There are approximately 40 acres of open ground suitable for multiple uses including:

  • Grassland suitable for seasonal livestock grazing or for making hay.
  • The open land has historically been used to raise row crops, cattle, sheep, livestock forage and Christmas Trees.
  • The land is very suitable for growing row crops such as corn, oats, wheat, pumpkins and all kinds of vegetables.
  • A fruit orchard would also flourish here. Some scattered fruit trees can be found dating back to the early days of the farm.
  • The production of Maple Syrup is popular in this region and the farm has the maple tree resource to produce gallons of high-grade syrup.
  • Growing hemp is also gaining ground as an agricultural crop
  • Making honey is also a well-established industry in the area
  • In recent years, the production of wine, beers and ales have grown into a flourishing industry. Growing Hops for the craft beer industry is an emerging agricultural niche market

HISTORIC BARN AND OUTBUILDING

The Meadow Bluff Farm has a long and rich agricultural history, beginning a century before electricity, telephone, tractors and motor-powered farming equipment was available. Piles of field stone testify to the back breaking work early settlers endured to clear the forest and establish productive farming land.

The farm has a vintage two story barn dating back to the early 1900’s as well as a few smaller wooden outbuildings from the same period.

The framing is mostly constructed of heavy circle sawn timbers with some poles used in the rafters along with sawn rafters. The flooring and siding are made of sawn plank oak, poplar and hemlock.

There is still some split rail fencing found along the property lines that predates the barn and other structures. Some of the wire fencing found along the property lines is of the “O” style dating to the late 1800’s to early 1900’s

WATER

A portion of the Meadow River headwaters travels through the property.  The headwaters are comprised of 3 separate dashed blueline intermittent streams with over ½ mile of combined distance.  Once the streams leave the property, they wind through the downstream properties for some 1.5 miles before emptying into the Meadow River at Farmdale.

There about 25 seasonal ephemeral creeks and hollows that should have water flow during rain events and snow melt.

There is a waterfall on the main intermittent stream high up on the property.

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the US that has two ownership titles, those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS. A title search for mineral rights ownership has not been conducted. All rights the owner has will convey with the property. A mineral title search could be conducted by a title attorney at the same time when the surface title search is being conducted.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property has been used as a farm and woodland for many years.  There are nine fields of various sizes having a combined total of about 40 acres.  There are about 215 acres of forestland comprising the remaining property.

(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.)

RECREATION

The property offers unparalleled recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the nearby Greenbrier River, New River, New River Gorge National River Park and the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby Greenbrier River, New River and Bluestone Lake ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Great fishing is found for small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill.

Nature viewing is next in line of recreational activities. Wildlife viewing is not just for larger animals. Equal consideration is given to a diversity of species including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, eagles and hawks. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, geese, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population.

Stargazing-Planet Observation
Near total darkness can be still be found on the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Shooting-sports devotees find all the land and privacy needed to enjoy:

  • Paintball-Airsoft-Laser Tag-Archery tag
  • Shotgun sport shooting including Skeet, Trap, Double Trap and Sporting Clays
  • Rifle & Handgun shooting: bullseye, silhouette, western, bench rest, long-range, fast draw
  • Archery and Crossbow competition shooting
  • 22 single shot rifle and a few tin cans make a fun day

All Terrain Motorsports
The property is perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. Riders are welcome to ride all public roads that do not have a painted dividing line and there are miles and miles of open roads in the area. These exciting machines handle the wide variety of the forest’s terrain.

Dirt bikes can also be a lot of fun and they come in all sizes and horsepower to fit anyone who enjoys being on two wheels.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking
The land may be used for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding and the area offers several state and national parks geared for these activities.

WILDLIFE

The nearby Meadow River, New River, Greenbrier River, and Bluestone Lake are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. There are many animals that live year round and at other times in the water and around the edges of the rivers/lake, including beavers, otters, minks, raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, king fishers, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, owls, hawks and redwing blackbirds.

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, fox, chipmunk, and many species of songbirds make up the resident wildlife population.

Of equal importance, there is the insect and microscopic world including butterflies, dragonflies, water skaters, water beetles, damselflies, hellgrammites, tadpoles and various insect larve.

Great fishing is found in the Meadow River, Greenbrier River, New River and Bluestone Lake with small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill present in good numbers.

The rivers, lake, and creeks, and their surrounding aquatic plant life, create a water a water-supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Much of their margins are fringed by wetlands, and these wetlands support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize their shores. The plant life associated with the wetland includes rushes, sedges, cattails, duckweed, bee balm and algae.

The hardwood forest of the surrounding mountains provides the essential nutrient source and produces 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 like 200 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property can be self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without on-grid electricity.

  • Solar or wind power could provide an endless supply of off grid electricity
  • Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from springs or a drilled water well (hand drawing water from the well using a cylinder well bucket)
  • Deer and turkey can supply fresh meat
  • Raise chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits etc.) and could be farmed with horse drawn equipment. The land 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 and pounds of walnuts

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops 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 possible crops:

  • 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, persimmons
  • 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)

THE AREA

Meadow Bluff Farm is an easy drive of higher population areas of Charleston, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Beckley, Morgantown, Princeton and Lewisburg.

Nearby Beckley & Lewisburg offer grocery stores, restaurants, banks, auto parts stores, hardware, hospital, dentists and most other city amenities. Beckley is the Raleigh County Seat and Lewisburg is the Greenbrier County seat and they are the economic and governmental hub of those counties.

Charleston is West Virginia’s state capitol (90 min). Charleston is West Virginia’s largest city with a population of some 50,000 and a metro area of 225,000. It is the center of government, commerce, culture and industry. There is a commercial airport with daily flights to most major hubs.

Beckley (30 min), has a population of 34,000, and is the county seat of Raleigh County. All city amenities are available in Beckley. Beckley is located at the intersection of I-135, I-64 and US 19 so easy access to Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Cincinnati is just around the corner.

The surrounding area offers unlimited recreational activities including white water rafting, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching and rock climbing and snow skiing.

Highlights:

  • 30-60 min to Beckley, Princeton, Lewisburg, 80,000 acre New River Gorge National Park, 2,000 acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem Resort and Bluestone State Park, Sandstone Falls, Winterplace Ski Resort and the 4-Star Greenbrier Resort
  • A picturesque Amtrak train ride from Hinton or White Sulphur Springs connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and many other locations
  • Washington, DC is 5 hours and Charlotte 3 hours
  • Charleston, Beckley, Lewisburg airports offer jet service to main hubs
  • Charleston, the state capitol, is 1.5 hours’ drive and offers all large city amenities
  • Easy access to I-64, I-135, I-79, US 460, US 19
  • The Bechtel Summit Reserve 12,000 acre Boy Scouts of America’s high adventure camp (60 min)
  • The 14,000 acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area is just down river at Bull Falls

THE NEW RIVER AND BLUESTONE LAKE

The property is located in the heart of the recreational mecca area and is 20 minutes to the New River, 70,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park and Preserve and 35 minutes to the 2000 acre Bluestone Lake at Hinton. The New River Gorge was a vast and largely unsettled wilderness until the C&O railroad was built on the eastern side of the river in the 1880’s. The railroad opened up the rich coalfields and virgin timber stands of the region. Early “mountaineers” settled the area and soon were carving out mountain farms and raising families.

The New River is the second oldest river in the world, preceded only by the Nile; it is the oldest river in North America. The New River is unique because it begins in Blowing Rock, N.C. and flows north through Virginia into West Virginia. The Nile and Amazon are the only other major rivers that also flow north. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, hybrid striped bass, and muskie are all common species of fish found in the New River and Bluestone Lake.

Bluestone Lake is over 2000 acres at summer pool and is the state’s third largest body of water. Great hunting and fishing opportunities abound at the 17,632 acre Bluestone Wildlife Area adjacent to the park and nearby Camp Creek State Forest.

THE DYNAMIC WETLAND

In earlier times, before the environmental and societal value of wetlands was discovered, Morris Branch’s wetland was commonly called a “swamp”. This enchanting area is biologically rich and wildlife diverse, being akin to the world’s largest swamp forests found in the Amazon. This mighty wetland area, works to provide “ecosystem services”—non-monetary benefits like clean water, clean air, carbon sequestration, diverse wildlife habitat, and recreation for everyone.

Meadow Bluff’s small wetland is incredible. One can visit during a dry season to walk beside the mix of young and  old trees and open ground and watch for deer, squirrels, raccoon, and turkey; or explore during the wet season and search for butterflies, turtles, frogs, crawdads, song birds, salamanders, newts, and a host of other aquatic invertebrates, migratory birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Greenbrier County School District

Public Elementary School:
Smoot Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Western Greenbrier Middle School

Public High School:
Greenbrier West High School

Colleges:
New River Community and Technical College (Lewisburg campus)
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
WVU Tech Beckley
Concord University @ Athens
Emma Byrd Higher Educational Center @ Beckley

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)

REGIONAL INFORMATION

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Contact Foxfire

304.645.7674