About Us
We strive to be good neighbors in Rappahannock County
by protecting the natural resources, contributing to the economy, acknowledging the history, celebrating the culture,
and sharing the bounty.
The F. T. Valley Farm Story
In 2008, our family purchased a parcel of land in Nethers, just over Browns Mountain from the orchard. We started with a small herd of cattle, and eventually got into the grass-fed beef business. Eight years later, we acquired Mont Medi, known by locals as The Kilby Farm. Algis had visions of restoring the land to a working farm, thriving with hearty trees bearing abundant fruit. Designed by Allan Clark, the orchard now has over 10,000 apple and peach trees.
Although relatively new, our pick-your-own operation has become a favorite destination for day trippers and locals alike. Regulars enjoy chatting with Meredith Gilmore, our market manager and VP of sales and distribution, during their weekly stops at the market. Hikers know they can drop by after a day on Old Rag Mountain to snag some freshly-picked apples and a cold beverage. School groups relish the opportunity to learn about apples and apple growing while having fun harvesting their own fruit.
We strive to protect the natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty of Rappahannock County. We hope you will visit our orchard and experience it for yourself!
Sharing the Bounty
A vital part of our mission is to share the bounty of our farm with our food-insecure neighbors. Thus far, we have donated over 9,000 pounds of apples and over 800 pounds of grass-fed ground beef to local food pantries and neighbors throughout the commonwealth who are in need.
- Be The Good Project, Alexandria, Va.
- The Carpenter’s Shelter, Alexandria, Va.
- Fauquier Community Food Bank, Warrenton, Va.
- Fauquier FISH , Warrenton, Va.
- The George Washington Carver Food Enterprise Center, Rapidan, Va.
- Hartland College, Rapidan, Va.
- Mid-Atlantic Food Resilience and Access Coalition (MAFRAC),
Alexandria, Va. - Rappahannock Food Pantry, Sperryville, Va.
- Together We Bake, Alexandria, Va.
- Walk to Bust Cancer/National Breast Center Foundation,
Alexandria, Va. - Reaching Out Now, Middletown, Va.
- The Underground Kitchen Community First, Richmond, Va.
History of the Farm
F.T. Valley Farm, also known as Mont Medi, is just off highway 231, or F.T. Valley Road. Captain John James Smith Stark left his home on the Hazel River and purchased the land in 1838 from Churchill Allen. In every direction, there were small, rolling mountains. Hence, they called it Mont Medi, signifying “in the midst of the mountains”. Captain Stark found a double log cabin on the property, circa 1750, near Browns Mountain. They added onto the house and covered it with white clapboard. He and his wife, Ann Elizabeth Botts of Mountain View, near Woodville, raised all of their children on this farm. They were loved and respected by all who knew them. “Ole Cap’n” as he was affectionately called, did not approve of slavery and he hired the men of the mountains to till his land. To them, he was an understanding friend. Captain and Mrs. Stark were blessed with ten children. One of their sons, James Peyton Stark took over the family farm at the close of the Civil War. He married Ella Rust and together they raised six children. One of the Stark’s daughters, Elizabeth, married Cornelius Randolph Hite. Randolph Hite jointed the Black Horse Company of Stuart’s Cavalry. In 1876, Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hite came to live at Mont Medi. The farm remained in the Hite family and ultimately Mary Elizabeth Hite married into the Kilby family.
— Hite, Mary. “Chapter VII.” My Rappahannock Virginia Story Book. Richmond,Virginia, The Dietz Press, 1950, pages 48-57.
VISIT US
513 F.T. Valley Road
Sperryville, Virginia 22740
540-351-9156
Hours of Operation:
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We will be closed for the season after Sunday, Nov. 19th