As described by the Virginia Century Farms Program, “Since the first settlers landed at Jamestown nearly 400 years ago and planted crops to sustain themselves through the winters to come, agriculture has been at the heart of Virginia. Our Commonwealth’s traditions and values stem from this heritage and from those Founding Fathers of our state and nation, many of whom were farmers themselves.”

Today descendants of these first farmers continue to produce food and fiber on the same land as their forefathers. The Virginia Century Farm Program recognizes and honors those farms that have been in operation for at least 100 consecutive years and the generations of Virginia farm families whose diligent and dedicated efforts have maintained these farms, provided nourishment to their fellow citizens and contributed so greatly to the economy of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Dellinger Brothers Farm is one of 30 Century Farms in Shenandoah County. The Commonwealth of Virginia’s requirements for recognition as a Century Farm include that it “must have been owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and must be lived on or actually farmed by a descendent of the original owner.” This 750-acre farm, on Dellinger Acres Road, near Conicville, pre-dates the American Revolution, having been established through a land grant from Lord Fairfax, and has been continuously in the Dellinger family line.

Mr. Noah Dellinger, approaching a century in age himself, will be the speaker for the program. He owns and operates this hay, cattle feeding, vegetable and melon farm with the families of his three nephews, Charles, Gary and Richard Dellinger

Join us at 7 PM at the St. Paul’s Heritage Center, in Edinburg, and learn about the challenges and rewards of maintaining a multi-generational family farm, the premier component of Shenandoah County’s economy, ecology and heritage.

Parking is available across the street in the Shentel parking lot.