Farms and Gardens of Rockbridge County

Rockbridge County, tucked into Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, is a place where farm life and mountain scenery meet, making it a wonderful destination for travelers who want more than just a scenic drive. Agritourism invites visitors to slow down, walk through orchards and pastures, meet the animals, and bring home something they picked or made themselves. Whether it’s a bag of Asian pears, a jar of local honey, or a bundle of fresh lavender, these farms offer experiences you simply can’t get at home. And if you’re staying in the Blue Ridge Cottage at the Inn at Brierley Hill, the kitchenette is the perfect spot to turn your farm finds into a simple, satisfying meal after a day of exploring.

Key Takeaways:

• Rockbridge County is home to a wide variety of farms and gardens, from orchards and vineyards to alpaca farms and apiaries.
• Many farms offer U-Pick experiences, guided tours, and seasonal events like farmers markets and workshops.
• Farm shops sell everything from pasture-raised meats and cheeses to honey, wine, and handmade goods.
• Most farms have limited seasonal hours, typically spring through fall, so it’s worth checking websites or Facebook pages before you visit.
• Several stops, including Wade’s Mill and Boxerwood, combine agricultural or historical significance with beautiful walking trails and picnic areas.
• If you prefer markets to farms, check out this list of local farmers markets.

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1. Virginia Gold Heritage Farms
   Set in the fertile Shenandoah Valley near Natural Bridge, Virginia Gold Heritage Farms grows legendary Asian pears, tends nearly an acre of U-Pick flower fields, and raises heritage-breed cattle and hogs with regenerative care. Visitors can explore the on-site farm shop for pasture-raised meats, whipped tallow balms, and orchard-grown fruit, or stop by the winery for estate-grown wines and brick-oven pizza. The farm hosts a Saturday farmers market from April through October and offers free Asian pear samples during harvest season, which runs from September until the first frost. Summer hours are noon to 6 p.m., May through October.
2. Ridge Valley Alpacas
   This family-owned farm is home to about 57 friendly alpacas. Guests can meet the herd, learn about alpaca fiber on a guided tour, and shop the AbellaPaca Boutique for soft, handmade sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, and socks. The farm is open Thursday through Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m., from April through December, or by appointment.
3. Lavender Fields at Tantivy Farm
   Open Thursday through Sunday, Tantivy Farm invites visitors to wander rows of fragrant lavender, purchase lavender plants and products, honey, and teas, and cool off with a scoop of lavender ice cream. Trails on the property lead to a waterfall, making it a great spot to bring a picnic. Keep an eye on their website for seasonal events like lavender wreath-making workshops.
4. Verdant Acres Farm
   Open to the public on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Verdant Acres Farm grows beyond-organic vegetables in soil that’s cared for to be more nutrient-dense every season. The farm also raises 100% grass-fed and grass-finished lamb and beef, along with pasture-raised, organic-soy-free pigs and chickens, all without hormones, antibiotics, or chemicals. Visitors are welcome to walk the gardens and pastures and pick up cooking tips along the way.
5. Wade’s Mill
   Virginia’s oldest continuously operating commercial grist mill, Wade’s Mill has been stone-grinding grains since 1750. Open Thursday through Sunday from early April through late December, admission and parking are free, and visitors can explore the gardens, picnic areas, and a walking trail along the creek to the mill dam and waterfall. The historic 1924 Fitz water wheel operates Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon, and early arrivals might even get to help start it. The Mill Shop sells stone-ground grains, jarred fruit and vegetable products, maple syrup, and other local goods.
   
6. Wilbourn House Orchard
   This working orchard in the Shenandoah Valley opens to the public on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with additional tours and walkthroughs announced throughout the season. In spring, the orchard hosts grafting workshops in March and April for visitors interested in learning the craft.
7. Season’s Yield Farm
   A family-owned bakery and farm, Season’s Yield offers organic, wood-fired sourdough breads and pastries twice a month for farm pickup, with bread days falling every other Saturday. Between April and November, bread days often feature live music from local musicians, and some coincide with special events like a pig roast, a low-country boil, or a farmers market with wood-fired pizza. The farm’s goods are also available at Wildberry Market and Seasons Cafe in downtown Lexington.
8. Razzbourne Farms
   Home to a micro goat dairy and creamery, Razzbourne Farms invites visitors to shop the Goatique, a self-serve farm store in the barn stocked with goat and sheep cheese. The Goatique is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and farm tours are available by appointment.
   
9. Bels Bees
   Open Thursday through Saturday, Bels Bees is a haven for pollinators, honeybees, and heirloom plants and herbs, alongside a menagerie of farm animals with personalities of their own: goats, horses, chickens, and an aviary with budgies and cockatiels. Visitors can picnic on the grounds, borrow a book from the children’s library in the aviary, peek into an observation beehive, and shop for honey, herbs, and lemon scrubs. The farm also offers beekeeping lessons, mentoring, beekeeper experiences, and home school visits for those curious about the craft.
   

   

   

10. Boxerwood
    This 20-acre woodland garden is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk, free of charge, thanks to sustaining donations collected at the Welcome Kiosk. Boxerwood features a pollinator garden, native plant garden, wetlands, and mountain vistas, along with a full calendar of programs for adults and children. From May through September, the garden hosts a beloved summer concert series on select Fridays, drawing neighbors together for kid- and pet-friendly evenings of local music.
11. North Rockbridge Trail
    Rather than a single farm, the North Rockbridge Trail links together a collection of local stops, including bed and breakfasts, farm stores, a fabric shop, vineyards, a brewery, a museum, an operating grist mill, and shops for handmade goods. It’s a great way to plan a day of exploring multiple small businesses in one scenic loop. Follow their Facebook page for upcoming events.