Aerial view of the PEC Annual Gathering at Eldon Farms in Woodville, Virginia. Photo by Hugh Kenny
Although The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Annual Gathering this year got off to a rainy start, there was no stopping our mission of coming together in the name of conservation. On June 8, over 400 enthusiastic members of the community descended on Eldon Farms — a scenic 7,100-acre farm in Woodville in Rappahannock County — for a day of learning and fellowship.
For Eldon Farms owners Chuck and Dee Akre, PEC’s Annual Gathering marked a major milestone in their work with world-renowned landscape architect Thomas Woltz and his Charlottesville-based firm, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, LLC. Since 2022, they’ve been working together on a five-year plan to transform the well-known property into a destination for the community to learn about farming and conservation, gather for events and enjoy nature.
PEC President Chris Miller and Board Chair David Aldrich present the PEC Conservation Award for 2025 to Chuck and Dee Akre, with their family. Photo by Hugh Kenny
That work inspired the idea to hold this year’s event at Eldon Farms. “Their work on ‘the plan’ was coming to a conclusion, so a reveal was needed, and they felt like this event was a good push to help them get across the finish line,” said Montana Lanier Ruffner, PEC’s meeting and events manager. “I think the Akres really want this property to feel like a gift to the community and be accessible for all. They’re just incredibly lovely people.”
Woltz was a natural choice to keynote the event. “[His] work plays into what we’re talking about across the board, with data centers and infrastructure, and how the nature corridor up the Appalachian Mountains, up the eastern part of the U.S., is what’s regionally significant — and also globally significant,” Lanier Ruffner said.
Thomas Woltz gives the keynote presentation at the 2025 PEC Annual Gathering. Photo by Hugh Kenny
In his opening remarks, PEC President Chris Miller spoke to this global outlook. “Things are changing. And the forces of change are … actually centered in the Virginia Piedmont… So we’ve got a globally significant conservation effort and a globally significant set of changes.”
Miller described how, together, partnership and collaboration help protect and conserve the lands and waters of the Piedmont, pointing to Eldon Farms as a shining example.
Woltz then took to the stage. Having completed projects in 12 countries and 30 states, he is currently working with Eldon Farms and other properties in the Piedmont. “Eighty-one to 100% of the best soils in our nation are in private hands. So these are the regions that are urgent. Private land ownership is essential,” Woltz said.
The sun finally peeked through the clouds, and attendees enjoyed the afternoon touring the farm or participating in workshops led by PEC staff on data centers and clean energy, conservation corridors in the Piedmont, and the importance of native plants in restoring the Upper Rappahannock watershed.
It was an exciting and inspiring day for everyone. First-time attendee and new PEC staff member Kim Votruba-Matook said, “I could sense curiosity everywhere. The guests were eager to learn and the entire event was set up for sharing PEC’s work in a variety of ways.” Attendees took home ideas and inspiration to continue the important work of conservation, one acre at a time.
To access video highlights from Miller’s and Wotz’s presentations, as well as photos and additional resources from the PEC-led workshops, visit pecva.org/eldonfarms. PEC is grateful to this year’s Annual Gathering sponsors: Jean Perin, George Ohrstrom, II, Helen DuBois, David Aldrich, Joe Gale and Ryan Crabbe.
This article appeared in the 2025 fall edition of The Piedmont Environmental Council’s member newsletter, The Piedmont View. If you’d like to become a PEC member or renew your membership, please visit pecva.org/join.