DESCRIPTION

The 615+/- acre Toler Farm has a long and rich history and is well known throughout the historic Greenbrier Valley as a top cattle farm. From the 1930’s to the late 1970’s, the farm was owned by Amos and Samuel Combs, one of the Valley’s longest settled families. The farm contains approximately 280 acres of open ground consisting of pasture, row crop and alfalfa fields. The remaining 335 acreage contains valuable high quality hardwood timberland.

There are two large farm houses and one guest home, along with several sheds and outbuildings. All buildings are in very good repair, as is the fencing and watering facilities throughout the farm, except for the lower farmhouse, which needs attention.

The pastoral setting of the farm is further complimented by the nearby charming village of Lewisburg, just 10 minutes east. Historic architecture, a vibrant arts scene, several restaurants, boutiques and art galleries all form an eclectic mix that enriches the laid-back lifestyle of the Valley.

The area is blessed with modern medical facilities, a major airport, great shopping and all the conveniences found in larger cities. Still yet, with more cattle than people in the area, it is easy to get to know your neighbors and form lasting friendships. www.GreenbrierWV.com

The world famous Greenbrier Resort is just 20 minutes east and Snowshoe Resort is only a 90 minute drive north. The Greenbrier River and New River plus 5 state parks offer unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities.

The Toler Farm is extremely well located and with vision and planning, could be developed into a fantastic country woodland estate.

Call Richard Grist, Broker, Foxfire Realty at 304.646.8837 for your tour of this beautiful woodland property.

HOUSES AND FARM STRUCTURES

There are two large farm houses and one guest home on the property. Two of the homes are in excellent repair and well kept, and one of them is in need of attention. 

Other structures include:

• New 60’x80′ metal horse barn 
• New 40’x80′ cattle working facility with pressure treated T1-11 siding
• 1 detached garage in good repair
• 1 Recreation building in excellent repair
• 2 large pole sheds in excellent repair
• 2 larger outbuildings in nice condition
• 2 hand-cut stone buildings-Historic
• 1 Gazebo near the main house

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

The Toler Farm contains approximately 280 rolling acres of the Valley’s richest agricultural land. For many years now, the farm has been leased to one of the area’s outstanding farming and ranching families.

Sustainable farming practices are utilized in every aspect of the farming operation and contribute heavily to the success of the farm. Close attention has been paid to fence maintenance, soil productivity (liming and fertilizing according to annual soil testing), weed control, pasture rotation to prevent overgrazing and the pastures are brush hogged on a routine basis. In the fall, after the corn has been harvested, winter rye is planted to retain the topsoil and prevent erosion.

Cattle graze on seasonal grasses and several tons of hay is produced annually from the hay and alfalfa fields. A 40 acre portion of the open land is planted each year in corn and converted to silage to feed livestock during the winter months. The soils and elevation are also very well suited for the production of grapes and the farm would be an ideal place to establish a vineyard or commercial fruit orchard.

The pasture areas are fenced and cross fenced and the fencing is considered to be in very good condition.

Greenbrier County is noted for its production of beef cattle and the Toler Farm has long maintained a presence in the production of the highest quality Black Angus beef.

There are 2 nice ponds on the property that stay full year round.

The Greenbrier Valley is primarily agrarian based and is the #1 producer of cattle in the state and the second largest sheep producer. The area is also well known for the breeding of fine horses, having a rich tradition of show competition and horse pulls. The 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth groups are active in the community and area schools.

Beekeeping is also a very popular pastime in the area and the Toler Farm would be well suited for the production of honey with some well-placed hives.

FOREST RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE

The Toler farm is blessed with 335 beautiful forested acres that have been well tended over the past 80 years of Combs-Toler ownership. Sustainable forestry practices have resulted in an extremely well manage forest that is highly productive. A morning walk in the forest offers a welcome respite from all the daily cares of the world. Listening to a wood thrush singing in the canopy is one dividend Wall Street can never promise.

With excellent hardwood quality and numerous pole-sized and sawlog-sized stems, the tract’s timber resource is well-positioned for product shifts over the coming decade which will drive its long-term asset value growth. Sawlog volumes are dominated by White oak, Red oak, Sugar Maple, Yellow Poplar and Black Cherry, some of the fastest-growing species with historically strong veneer and lumber market demand. Other species include Hickory, Ash, Sycamore, Buckeye and Sourwood.

Several Heritage Trees can be found scattered throughout the forest and field edges. These ancient trees, some 200-300 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes, fire and of course, woodpeckers.

The forest is home to a vast array of wildlife which includes an amazing variety of song birds, owls, hawks, woodpeckers, ravens and wild turkeys. White tailed deer, raccoon, opossums, rabbits, chipmunks, coyotes, bobcats and maybe a black bear with her cubs enjoy the protection offered by the forest. The “edge effect” that is created between field and forest is the perfect habitat for all the resident wildlife.

Oak, hickory and walnut trees drop tons and tons of nuts on the forest floor each fall. Beech trees, Stag horn sumac, black cherry and tulip trees produce seeds and berries as well. The forest trees provide an important nutrient source for the animals, thereby assuring they can gain enough fat to survive the winter.

The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses. One could spend a lifetime getting to know this inviting environ.

Parts of the forest were lightly thinned at various times over the past 80 years. There is an exceptional stand of medium aged timber that will be ready for harvest in the next 10 years. There are several thousand trees that may be harvested now but given a little time, these trees will mature into world class Veneer, export logs and high quality sawlogs.

The timber thinnings have been conducted under the guidance of a professional forester, with the timber trails designed to flow with the lay of the land resulting in a network of easy to traverse trails for hiking, ATV and horseback riding. The forest is growing rapidly and the trees are healthy. No forest pests such as Gypsy Moth or Emerald Ash Borer have been found on the property.

Some areas of the farm that were once cleared for pasture have been abandoned for agricultural use and are evolving into a well-stocked hardwood forest that will be ready for harvest in the next 30-40 years. Not surprising, the corn field, forest, shrubs and pasture grasses are highly productive in producing tons and tons of oxygen while at the same time eliminating huge amounts of Carbon Dioxide; Nature’s way of reducing our Carbon Footprint.

MINERAL RESOURCES

The coal, oil, gas, sand, and stone rights will convey with the property. There are no leases currently let and the property will convey with a fee simple title. All prospective purchasers are encouraged to have an attorney do a title search prior to purchasing.

The Marcellus Shale underlies the property at a depth of 5000’+. The east coast Marcellus Shale Region is thought to contain enough natural gas to power the United States for over 100 years. The horizontal drilling technology necessary to reach the mile deep shale strata has rapidly evolved and drilling in the Marcellus strata is a reality in WV.

There are no known coal reserves underlying the property.

GEOLOGY-CAVES AND CAVERNS

The Greenbrier Valley has a most unique geological formation called Karst Topography, which is an underlying system of caves and caverns that have been slowly carved out of the limestone rock strata over millions of years.

This weathering away of the limestone produces lots of interesting formations both above and below ground and one can spend hours exploring for stalactites, stalagmites and fossils.

ACCESS AND BOUNDARIES

The property was completely surveyed in April of 1937 by J.D. Hume. The boundary was found to contain 1030 acres, from which 84.34 acres was conveyed in September 1974, Deed Book 289, page 524, to the WV Department of Highways for the construction of Interstate 64. Most of the boundary lines have been recently surveyed by the adjoining property owner. Most of the boundary has some sort of fencing in various stages of repair running along the boundary line.

The property is served by US Route 60, which is a year round, state maintained, paved highway. The property fronts on the highway for 1.8 miles. The Old Kanawha Turnpike WV RT 60/11 leads down into the heart of the property. This road accesses only the farm and does not receive use by the public. The Alta Interchange (#161) on Interstate 64 is one mile west of the property.

ZONING

Greenbrier County has a Subdivision Ordinance and all prospective buyers contemplating division of property into lots should consult the Greenbrier County Planning Commission. All prospective buyers should contact the Greenbrier County Commission and Health Department when considering purchasing or developing any property in the county to determine if the property is subject to any additional zoning ordinances.

Further information on county zoning may be found at www.GreenbrierCounty.net.

UTILITIES

• There is electric and phone service on the property.
• Public water or sewer is not available at this time.
• Two large developed mountain springs provide water for the homes and for the livestock.
• Sewer service is provided by septic systems.
• Satellite providers such as HughesNet provide high speed internet service.
• Television reception may be provided by either DirectTV or DishNetwork.
• Cell phone coverage is adequate in most places on the property.
• Weekly trash pick-up, daily newspaper and daily mail delivery is available at roadside.
• Overnight courier service is available.

LOCATION

The Toler Farm is located in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, about 10 minutes west of the historic village of Lewisburg.

From the intersection of Route 219 and Route 60 in Lewisburg, travel US Route 60 west 8 miles and the property will be on both sides of the road. The property may also be reached by taking the Alta Interchange (#161) on I-64 and traveling east on Route 60 for 1 miles and the property will be on the both sides of the road.

Google Coordinates are:
Latitude 37.8683379°(N)
Longitude -80.5296046°(W)

Elevation ranges from 2070′ to 2442′

Address: 421 Old Kanawha Turnpike and 748 Old Kanawha Turnpike, Lewisburg, WV 24901
(Formerly HC 40, Box 39, Lewisburg WV, 24901)

Driving Destination Google Coordinates are: 37.871199°(N); -80.535230°(W)

TAXES AND DEED INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 593 Pg. 655

615 acres, more or less

Tax Information:

Williamsburg District

Greenbrier County, West Virginia Tax Map 61 Parcel 14.6.1; Class 2

2021 Real Estate Taxes: $3,554.14

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Greenbrier County School District:

Alderson Elementary School
Eastern Greenbrier Middle School
Greenbrier East High School
Public school buses run daily when school is in session

THE SURROUNDING AREA

The Toler Farm comes with a great community known for its friendly residents and laid-back lifestyle. The Greenbrier Valley is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life in the valley interesting and satisfying.

A year round live theater, Carnegie Hall (one of four in the USA), fine dining, art galleries and boutiques make up the thriving downtown historic district in Lewisburg is also the county seat of Greenbrier County and home to the WV Osteopathic Medical School (600 students) and the New River Community and Technical College. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.

In 2011, Lewisburg was named Coolest Small Town in America and is just a 10 minute drive to complete shopping, churches, schools, medical-dental facilities, fine dining, and a modern hospital. The airport, with the longest runway in the state is just 10 minutes away and has daily flights to Atlanta and Washington DC.

For the water enthusiast, the Greenbrier River is 10 miles away at Caldwell. The Greenbrier River is the last un-obstructed river east of the Mississippi and offers a great float/canoe/kayak experience. The fishing for small mouth bass is considered excellent. The Greenbrier River trail is an 86 mile long rails to trails system and offers exceptional hiking and biking opportunities along the scenic Greenbrier River.

Within an hour’s drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Winterplace Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the New River and Gauley River, 2000 acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem State Park and Resort and the 80,000 acre New River National Gorge National Park. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock climbing opportunities. Snowshoe Ski Resort is a 90 minute drive through some of the most scenic country on the East Coast. The new 10,600 acre Boy Scout High Adventure Camp and home to the US and World Jamboree is an hour’s drive.

The world renowned 4-Star Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is just 25 minute drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. Rock climbing, ziplining, horseback riding and the 100+ mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail make for a very active recreation area.