WHITE HOUSE FARM FOUNDATION - 1917 Kauffmans Mill Rd. Luray, VA 22835 (540) 743-4526 www.whfarmfoundation.org Summary Report 2014
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WHITE HOUSE FARM FOUNDATION
1917 Kauffmans Mill Rd.
Luray, VA 22835
(540) 743-4526
www.whfarmfoundation.org
Summary Report 2014
Mission Statement: To enrich individuals with knowledge of and involvement with our natural ecological
systems, sustainable agriculture, holistic community planning, and respect for local history and culture.
It has been another great year at the farm! Thank you to all of our partners and supporters who brought classes
out, helped plant native species along the river trail, volunteered and otherwise utilized the farm to learn about
the history and ecology of the Shenandoah Valley. Once again, we hosted over 600 visitors with kids from
summer camps, private schools and public schools as well as adult education classes on winter tree
identification, wildflowers and ecology. We are always interested in working with the community and with
students on various projects. Please check out our website for more information on our projects and initiatives.
Scott C. Plein, Chairman White House Farm Foundation
Chris Anderson, Executive Director canderson@whfarmfoundation.org
______________________________________________________________________________________
1
In the spring and fall, Mr. B.H. Snellings from
Page County High School brought science classes
to the farm to study topography, geology and
mapping. The students also took soil samples and
conducted water quality testing in the South Fork
of the Shenandoah River.
Mr. Snellings Astronomy club visited the farm on
several occasions, with viewing of the night sky
particularly good in the absence of any artificial
light.
Luray High School teacher Tara Meadows and her
geographic information systems (GIS) class
gathered coordinates in the riparian area and
created a map of the various management
techniques underway to establish native warm
season grasses. Three students further mapped
the 52 acre riparian area as their final senior
project.
We also had a student from the Rappahannock
Governors School conduct a senior research
project over the summer by collecting bacteria
readings from water samples gathered from Big
Run.
2
The Massanutten Chapter of the Archeology Society of Virginia worked with Dr. Carole Nash from James
Madison University to conduct the second archeology field camp at the White House in June 2014. Opening
some of the test pits first explored in June 2012, more information was discovered on how the Kauffmans lived
in 1760 when the White House was first constructed. Additional pieces of clay pipes, Native American pottery
and fire brick were also found, highlighting the many centuries the beautiful Shenandoah Valley has been
inhabited.
Dr. Nash (left) studying soil profiles & flood deposit Hundreds of artifacts were discovered
and will be researched and catalogued
Volunteers search for clues to the past A test pit was opened in the vaulted cellar
3
In March, 2014 Dr. Michael Douma from James Madison University visited the White House with his history
class. The students removed the silt and sediment from the ground level floor, most likely deposited in
Hurricane Fran (1996) when the South Fork of the Shenandoah River reached the White House.
Two groups of Shenandoah River State Park Junior Rangers visited the farm, learning about history, watersheds
and native/invasive plants.
4
Students from the Blue Ridge
Environmental Summer Governors
School which serves students in
grades 5-8, toured the White House
and learned about history, walked
through the riparian area and enjoyed
cooling off in the Shenandoah River.
BREGS attracts students from Warren,
Page, Frederick, Shenandoah and
Clarke counties and the city of
Winchester
Lord Fairfax Community College Fundraiser Event “An Evening with the Stars”
It was a pleasure hosting Lord Fairfax Community College for a second fundraiser event with silent and live auctions,
testimonials from current and past students and LFCC staff. The event raised funds in order that local students can
attend the college through scholarships.
5
James Madison University Environmental Class Student Environmental Alliance - Washington College
Girl Scouts from Page County work together to install Kids from the Raw Learning school in Staunton
native plants along the nature trail parallel to the visited the farm for a field trip where they learned
Shenandoah River. This hands-on learning lets the about native and invasive plants, watersheds and
students build on plantings from previous groups and local ecology. This blog post describes the day.
helps the environment by increasing biodiversity
6
Summer Splash Summer Camp We were pleased to host the fall Actitude Camp
led by Bao Nguyen and Hoang Lan
Scott Plein speaks at the 2014 Luray Chris Anderson tells Warren County 6th graders
Arbor Day celebration about native and invasive plants
______________________________________________________________________________________
WHITE HOUSE FARM FOUNDATION ADULT EDUCATION SEMINARS:
As part of our adult education seminars, we hosted a March winter tree identification walk and a June
wildflower walk with guest instructor Carrie Blair. The 52 acre riparian area provides a wonderful place to 7
explore nature. We enjoy hosting events for local ecologists and those interested in learning more about birds,
trees, soil and water quality and native and invasive species. Watch our website for upcoming events in 2015.
October Naturalist Stroll with Master Naturalist Jack
Price. We appreciate the partnership we have with
the Old Rag Chapter of Master Naturalists who have
provided guest instructors for several educational
events at the farm.
We enjoyed hosting a field trip planned as part of
the Pure Water Forum’s annual meeting. Farm
owner Scott C. Plein describes the reestablishment
of the native warm season grasses in the riparian
buffer and the selection of 85 native tree and shrub
species being grown by White House Natives.
The ladies of the Red Hat Society met at the 4H leaders visit the farm to learn more about
farm with guest historian (left) our conservation practices and educational programs
8
The Shenandoah Valley Music Festival 2014 marked the 6th year the farm has participated in the
fundraiser lunch meeting North American Butterfly Association count.
Numerous conservation practices are underway at
the EMJ farm, located about 2 miles from the
White House Farm. In the spring, we partnered
with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Shenandoah
Valley Soil and Water Conservation District and
Natural Resources Conservation Service to install
native tree and shrubs along Big Run
The first harvest occurred at the White House
Natives in the spring. Located at the 270 acre
White House Farm, the nursery currently has more
than 9000 native Virginia trees and shrubs
representing 85 different species. These are used
in commercial and residential landscaping in
northern Virginia as well as being marketed to
public entities such as universities and
municipalities interested in stream restoration and
landscaping with native species. The Foundation
has used the nursery for a convenient
demonstration area for identifying native species.
9
The garden did well again this year with many
pounds of heirloom flowers, fruits and
vegetables resulting from the rich soils
deposited by the river.
Many thanks to the volunteers who helped in
the garden. We follow “old fashioned”
practices of composting, companion planting
and growing without the use of chemical
herbicides or pesticides.
In Conclusion:
This report highlights some of our 2014 projects and events and we look forward to continuing our work in
2015. The White House Farm Foundation was described in several publications in 2014; please follow the
links below to access them:
• Article written by Delegate Kenneth Plum in the Reston Connection
• Article in the Page News & Courier on the archeology dig
• Article in the Page News & Courier highlighting Mr. Plein’s conservation work
• Feature on Mr. Plein in the Bull Run Observer for his many conservation efforts and partnerships
In addition to our classes and educational events, we have decided to share the farm for special events
such as weddings, celebrations and corporate meetings. The proceeds from these events will help
support the White House Farm Foundation and its endeavors.
Please contact us if you are interested in bringing a class to the farm, attending one of our naturalist
strolls or booking an event.
Scott C. Plein, Chairman White House Farm Foundation
Chris Anderson, Executive Director canderson@whfarmfoundation.org
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