Blue Ridge Conservancy Names the Valle Crucis Conference Center “Conservationist of the Year” at the 68th Annual Farm City Banquet

The 68th Annual Farm City Banquet was held last week at Boone United Methodist Church, and Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) presented the “Conservationist of the Year” award to the Valle Crucis Conference Center (VCCC) for their 180-year commitment to local agriculture practices. Eric Hiegl, BRC’s Senior Director of Land Protection and Conservation Planning, presented the award to Margaret Love, VCCC’s Executive Director. This is the second time BRC has given this award, with local farmer Kelly Coffey announced as the inaugural winner in 2023.

Eric Hiegl, BRC’s Senior Director of Land Protection and Conservation Planning, presented the award to Margaret Love, VCCC’s Executive Director

VCCC’s long history of agriculture and conservation started in 1842 with the establishment of the Mission School and its dairy and orchards. The ‘Agricultural and Industrial School’ taught boys and girls how to cook, blacksmith, and farm. The school closed in 1942 and was reopened in 1970 as the Valle Crucis Conference Center. In the early 2000s they granted conservation easements to BRC on 270 acres of forest and farmland in the heart of Valle Crucis, and currently offer 70 acres of prime bottomland to local farmers and growers. 

The VCCC is also home to the Farm Incubator and Growers (FIG) Farm which provides beginning farmers low-risk access to land, equipment, and mentorship to help establish their farming businesses, and they lease other agricultural land to local farmers to grow crops for feed and to sell at the farmers’ market. Each fall the Conference Center is home to the popular Valle Country Fair, which raises money for local nonprofits. The Holy Cross Church, who runs the fair, has donated over $1.3 million to local charities since 1979.

Continuing their conservation and land stewardship legacy, the VCCC is in the process of granting another conservation easement to BRC on an additional 83 acres of land. This will ensure permanent conservation of all their land around the conference center buildings.

“The Valle Crucis Conference Center is creating a legacy in Valle Crucis through their land conservation efforts over the past 20 years,” stated Hiegl. “For their steadfast dedication to educating and supporting the Valle Crucis community, BRC is proud to honor the VCCC with this award.”

Beyond conservation and agriculture, the VCCC is committed to supporting the local community. When Hurricane Helene struck, they opened their doors to anyone in need of a hot meal, shower, a place to stay, or a friendly conversation. 

Organized annually by the Watauga County Cooperative Extension, the banquet celebrates the heritage of agriculture and its continued importance to the local economy. The Farm City Banquet has a long history in Watauga County and across the United States.