This weekend Prince William residents had the opportunity to see the more rural side of the county during the Wild Western Prince William Farm Tours.The tour route featured farms along Sudley and Vint Hill roads in Gainesville and Nokesville and included entertainment, education and interaction with the public.
Lynn Vale Farms in Gainesville is a unique farm that grows flowers for weddings and other events, and features an art studio on site. Farm owner Andrea Gagnon, who is also Treasurer of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, said she gets much of her business from event and wedding planners in D.C. “Those that are really promoting eco-friendly events,” Gagnon said.
Buying flowers locally cuts down on fuel emissions, which is good for the environment.
However, for local visitors, Lynn Vale Farms is an idyllic location. It includes flower-growing meadows of red, gold, purple and blue, more brightly colored blossoms nurtured in the green house, an old-timey barn filled with flowers for sale, and a small cottage house that serves as an art studio.
In sharp contrast to most art studios, which can seem cold and sterile, the cottage creates a warm and inviting space from which to view artwork. The walls are hung with modern paintings of flowered fields, the windows provide an open view of the property, and with a casual mid-century furnishings, one feels as though they've been invited to a friend's country home.
Trish Jackson brought her husband and two kids to visit Lynn Farms on Saturday. She said they visited two farms on Sat., but had done more in previous years.
“They always have fun out here,” said Jackson.
Other children ran through the grass adjacent to the flower meadows, providing plenty of opportunity for moms and dads to capture beautiful images on their digital cameras.
For those who missed Lynn Vale Farms last weekend, it is open to the public on Friday evenings from 3:30-7pm throughout the season. Gagnon invites residents to visit their website and come experience the farm for themselves during open hours.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Route 29, Jay and Elaine Yankey of Yankey Farms had a big day.
“Biggest crowd we’ve had (in years),” said Elaine Yankey
Yankey Farm proved a big attraction, featuring several family friendly activities: a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, pony rides and a “cow train” in which the car seats look like little cows.
They are also conveniently located off Vint Hill Road in Nokesville, near Patriot High School.
Although the corn maze looks simple enough to traverse, inside it one comes upon several false leads and dead ends. To make it more enticing for the children, there is the added goal of trying to find pictures of all five vegetables.
The farm is also very seasonal. Visitors could choose between picking their own pumpkins and gourds right from the patch or choose from the ones already picked. They included different sizes, shapes and colors.
Jay Yankey invites people to still visit his pumpkin patch and corn maze. They can check the website for hours of operation.
While farm week is now over, Prince William residents got a taste of how farm businesses make the area richer and more diverse by offering the experience of beauty and nature, providing fresh fruit and vegetables, and allowing interaction with animals.
Farmers who participated want to become part of the local community. Please visit the farms' websites listed on Wild Western Prince William for more information.
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