Cresthaven Farms: Grayson County, VA

Saving One of the Last Dairies in Southwest Virginia

In December 2025, in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Land Trust of Virginia, a conservation easement conserving 677 acres of farmland was recorded, marking an important conservation win in Grayson County.

Cresthaven Farms is a family operated dairy farm located in Southwest Virginia and is one of the last remaining dairies in the region. The dairy farm is situated on 180 acres of the total property with other areas of the farm involved in crop production with rolling pastures of corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. In addition to protecting prime farmland soils, the easement also provides protections for scenic views, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

Bridget Braunscheidel, Director of Grant Programs and Administration, assisted the family through the process of applying for the Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) program through NRCS. "The family set out on this journey with the goal in mind to protect the farm while also being mindful of the future generations of farmers within their family. It was truly a pleasure working with them. I have gained friends within the Cresthaven Farms family while working on their easement."