Still Waters Farm is a 135 acre +/- multi-use agricultural, recreational and residential property located just 30 minutes from America’s newest national park. The newly dedicated 70,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park and Preserve is a haven for hiking, climbing, and rafting. The park is well-suited to welcoming adventurers and offers plenty of space to breath.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 135 acres +/- is the perfect size for creating a wonderful country estate
• Just 30 minutes to the 70,000 acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, America’s newest national park.
• Exceptional cabin sites and miles of field and forest trails to hike, bike & ATV
• 7/10 mile of dashed blue line streams with 10 additional ephemeral streams
• 60 acres +/- of level to rolling agricultural land
• 75 acres +/- of dynamic forest with some old growth trees estimated to be 150-200 years old
• 4 Historic barns dating from the 1800’s containing hand-hewn logs, heavy timbers and hand-cut foundation stone. Additional smaller vintage wooden structures from the same era.
• Large metal machine building.
• Produce your own maple syrup, golden honey, fruits, vegetables cattle, sheep and horses
• An amazingly biodiverse wetland area with an active beaver pond
• 5 min to the I-64 Dawson Interchange & 10 min to the Sam Black Interchange on I-64
• Jet airport with service to Chicago and Dulles just 25 minutes drive
• Forest is comprised of Red Oak, White Oak, White Oak, Hickory, Poplar, Cherry 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
• 80,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park and Preserve nearby
• Fronts on a paved state-maintained road – FedEx, UPS and USPS delivery
• City amenities are 30 minutes to Beckley and Lewisburg
• 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 135 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 2470’ to 2878’
• Low taxes, low population density

LOCATION

Still Waters Farm is located in Greenbrier County, WV near Lewisburg, Beckley, Rainelle and the unincorporated communities of Dawson and Sam Black Church. This 135-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.

Still Waters Farm, with about 60 acres of fields and 75 acres of forest, represents an opportunity to create a classic family ownership legacy for the next tenure. Terrain is unique in the region and considered level to slightly rolling with some steeper woodland areas.

Google Coordinates: 37.847962°(N), -80.760339°(W)
Address: 985 Morris Branch Road, Meadow Bridge, WV 25976
Elevation Range: 2470 ft. to 2878 ft. +/-

DEED AND TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 448 PG 795
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
Acreage: 135 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:

Greenbrier County (13), West Virginia
Blue Sulphur District (3)
Tax Map 13 Parcel 4, Class 3

2020 Real Estate Taxes: $1358.88

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property has a metes and bounds description in the owner’s deed.  A portion of the southeastern boundary is the state road.  Some other boundaries are evidenced by fencing.  The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

A long-established private road crossing the southwest corner of the property serves as access to the adjoining Midkiff Farm.  The 1,600’ road is well maintained by the owner of the Midkiff Farm.

UTILITIES

Electric: Onsite
Water: There is an existing water well onsite but no information is available if it is still functional
Sewer: Public sewer system is not currently available. A residential septic system could be installed.
Telephone: Onsite
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/

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property has about 3/10 mile of frontage on Morris Branch Road Rt. 29/4.  The roads into the property are within that frontage, providing access to the public road system.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

• There are approximately 65 acres of open ground suitable for multiple uses including:
• Grassland suitable for seasonal livestock grazing or for making hay.
• The land has historically been used to raise cattle and sheep.
• 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.
• 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 a 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
• The land has not been in production for many years and is in need of brushhogging to bring it back into full production. It is possible the agricultural land could be certified as “Organic” since it has been many years since any fertilizer or chemical sprays have been applied.

HISTORIC BARNS AND OUTBUILDING

The Still Waters 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 4 historical barns dating back to the 1800’s as well as a few smaller wooden outbuildings.

The barns contain outstanding hand hewn logs created using special hand axes made specially for squaring up the logs into consistent sized timbers.

The framing is mostly post and beam built with heavy circle sawn timbers. The flooring and siding  is made of sawn wide plank oak, poplar and hemlock.

Hand carved cut stone blocks can be found in the foundation of most of the structures.  There are some piles of cut stone not associated with the barns that probably were once the chimney stone for a home there.

There is a nice more modern metal machine/garage building.

WATER

A portion of the headwaters of Morris Branch travels through the property. The main stream and a feeder stream are on the property for a total distance of about 7/10 mile.  The western portion of Morris Branch main and the feeder stream are dashed blue line streams, while a larger eastern section of Morris Branch main on the property is a solid blue line stream, which should have regular water flow, especially during rain events and snow melt.

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 consists of about 65 total acres of pasture fields and about 70 total acres of forest areas.

(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 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 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
• 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)

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.

The 70+/- acre forest has trees in the 40-150 year old range. The forest resource is composed of upland Appalachian hardwoods and wetland hardwood species. The species composition consists primarily of  Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Poplar, Red Oak, White Oak, Hickory, and a host of associated species (Sourwood, Black Walnut, Locust, Black Gum, Beech, Ironwood and Hop Hornbeam).

Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest and old field edges. These ancient trees, some 100-200 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering flood, ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer is present, and it is anticipated that all the Ash east of the Mississippi will succumb to the borer over the coming 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.

THE AREA

Still Waters Farm is an easy drive of higher population areas of Charleston, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Beckley, 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, 80,000 acre New River Gorge National River Park 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.

Still Waters’ wetland is incredible. An active beaver pond provides the foundations for all that is wetland habitat! 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

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)