The Clermont Foundation

AGRICULTURE: The Foundation uses the 360-acre Clermont Farm site as a commercial beef cattle, sheep, and crop (corn) operation, which is the basis for: A) preserving intact and sustainably a 283-year old agricultural landscape, and B.) providing an agricultural education and demonstration program working with the Farm Bureau and the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Clermont also serves as a teaching farm for the local Clarke County Public Schools and supports working farmers through the Extension Service. In 2024, a supplemental from the VA General Assembly completed funds to replace the burned barn. Removal of invasives and planting of new native trees continued under USDA-EQIP best management practice contract. The Va Dept of Conservation-Recreation and VA Assoc. of Soil & Water Conservation Districts gave Clermont its Clean Water Farm award for the entire Shenandoah River Basin, both for its practices and educational work. Public events grew.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION: The Foundation demonstrates best historic preservation practices and conducts education programs about them for special interest groups, students, and the general public, using the dozen historic buildings (18th and 19th centuries) above ground and the archaeological resources being protected underground. Repairs to historic buildings are used not only as active opportunities for demonstrations of best practices and appropriate technologies, but also to conduct further research on and documentation. In 2024, the $472,000 National Park Service grant to rehab 3 buildings was bid out and archaeology completed. Work was largely finished on the Springhouse and Smokehouse and begun on the Owner House, with public tours and social media postings. HVAC replacement in the Owner House was completed, as was repainting of the 1823 duplex Slave Quarter.