For over 100 years, three generations of Goodalls have owned and worked to improve their land in Madison County, which now stands at 596 acres after enlarging the farm several times. Now, brothers Joe and Paul have fulfilled their parents’ final wishes to keep the land as a farm. In April, PEC used grants from the USDA’s Agricultural Land Easement program, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, and the Volgenau Foundation to purchase a conservation easement for $1.3 million, permanently protecting the farm for the next generation.
Conservation Case Studies
Category to drop feature articles about conservation success stories.
2024 Highlights: By the Numbers
PEC’s dedicated staff work relentlessly to advance land conservation, sound land use planning, the protection of natural resources and better climate and energy policy.
Shining a Light on Agrivoltaics at Roundabout Meadows
This spring, the Piedmont Environmental Council will unveil a project at our Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows with the potential to revolutionize the relationship between the agricultural lands that make up the heart of the Virginia Piedmont and the need for more solar energy capacity across the Commonwealth.
The Next Chapter for Aldie Assemblage
The Piedmont Environmental Council this summer became the proud new owner of six acres in the Village of Aldie, known as the Aldie Assemblage.
A Win/Win for Farmers
Mike Willis, his wife Judy, and stepson Wesley know that farming is not for the faint of heart.
Wildflowers in bloom at the Piedmont Memorial Overlook
The native meadow at the Piedmont Memorial Overlook is in bloom and can be accessed via Sky Meadows State Park or the Appalachian Trail.
The Germanna Ford Boat Launch is Open!
A new public boat launch on the Rapidan River is now open to visitors at Historic Germanna in Orange County.
Long Acre Farm: A Creative Solution for a Farming Conundrum
In Greene County, young Dustin Watson works the 274-acre cattle farm co-owned by two elder family members.
Conservation Stories Across the Region: Beth Plentovich and Howie Kelly, Protection Through Perseverance
Beth Plentovich and Howie Kelly know the true importance of relentless incrementalism for achieving exponential results.
Conservation Stories Across the Region: Anne & Dru Crawley, Filling in the Missing Piece
Walking along the gravel driveway of Anne and Dru Crawley’s property, five miles from the village of Amissville, I recognized immediately the significance of this 63-acre stretch of land.