Land Trust of Virginia Awarded State Grant to Protect Farmland and Historic Landscape in Nelson County

Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) is honored to have been awarded funding from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) to permanently protect an exceptional property along the James River in Nelson County. This support will help conserve over 81 acres of productive farmland and a historic riverfront landscape, ensuring it remains undeveloped and cherished for future generations. LTV will work with the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation district, which has agreed to co-hold the proposed conservation easement.

Located on the southern boundary of Nelson County along the James River, the Avalon Land, LLC property sits within the Norwood-Wingina Historic District, a landscape shaped by travel between Richmond and Lynchburg and long connected to notable Virginian William Cabell and his family. This area also reflects a much older history: the Monacan Indian Nation lived, traveled, and cultivated land along this stretch of the James River for centuries. Preserving this landscape helps honor and protect a place that has shaped community identity from Indigenous history to early settlement and beyond.

The property’s agricultural importance is also significant. With more than 99 percent of the acreage classified as “Prime Farmland” soils, according to USDA data, the farm represents some of the most productive land in the region. The landowner, an agricultural professional, actively manages the property using sustainable practices, including rotational grazing of cattle, implementing a nutrient management plan, and maintaining conservation-focused improvements that support healthy soils and clean waterways. The easement will ensure this farmland remains available for agriculture long into the future.

Its conservation value extends beyond its fields. More than 3,200 feet of river frontage along the James River, one of Virginia’s most iconic waterways, will receive enhanced protection, including a voluntary 100-foot planted buffer. This buffer will help reduce erosion, improve water quality, and strengthen habitat along a stretch of river that supports sensitive aquatic species, including federally listed mussels found downstream. Without protection, the property could be split into numerous residential lots and has been identified as highly vulnerable to development in the Virginia Natural Heritage Data Explorer’s Development Vulnerability Model.

State conservation priorities categorize this property in several key areas, including agriculture, scenic value, and cultural heritage. It also supports the call for protecting land adjacent to existing public conservation areas, creating meaningful connections between conserved landscapes, and strengthening ecological corridors.

LTV is grateful for VLCF’s investment in this project and for the landowner’s commitment to stewardship. Together, this partnership will safeguard farmland, historic views, wildlife habitats, and water resources in a part of Virginia where growth pressures and rural character are increasingly at odds. With this grant, the Avalon Land, LLC easement will become a lasting example of how conservation can strengthen both working landscapes and the communities they support.