A Working Flower Farm and Artist's Retreat

The Farm Story...

Chatham Flower Farm is a historic home and  3.5 acre farm on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The farm property dates back to 1679, when it was part of what is known in local history books as Chatham, (pos 737-738 , A39A, Whitelaws). The farm was owned by Rowland Savage and then bequeathed to Frances Savage & husband Salathiel Milby. It stayed in the Milby family for many generations. The oldest part of the home is from 1690 or earlier.  The "young " section of our home is dated 1820. We are still doing research on the property, house and barn that dates back to the earliest settlers in Virginia. Our two story barn, circa 1802, houses the Art Studio on the second floor and the flower workshop area on the ground floor. We also have a tobacco drying shed that predates the barn , that we use for drying the herbs and certain flowers. We offer space for brides to dry their bouquets as well.

 John and I knew we wanted to settle our lives here on the Eastern Shore a few years back , when  John came to harvest straw with his brother's company Aden Brook. We have spent many summers here in Va during straw season, extending our length of time each year. We both have spent many years traveling for work and really needed to ground ourselves in our own place. It was just a matter of finding not only the perfect location, but a home as well. We had worked many months trying to purchase another farm here on the shore, to no avail. During that period, we went on the hunt for a new place to call home. In one day we looked at 13 properties and Chatham was the last....it truly was lucky thirteen! We knew as soon as we walked in the door that we had found our home. This farm was perfect in virtually every single way and has given us an amazing base to build from. By adding our growing in the same ground, we are able to add to the farm’s long history.   The land is the framework for our dream of growing beautiful Flowers, Lavender and Herbs, all while combining the Barn Studio , flower and artist workshops to support the history of this land and area of Virginia.

We are " Certified Naturally Grown"(very similar standards as USDA Organic) systems for our growing. We also include a No -Till farming practice here as well.  Our commitment to sustainable farming goes far beyond that and has since we started. We want to not only offer our community with beautiful flowers and herbs,  but provide a spot for the growing Agri Tourism industry here on the shore. Our farm uses self sustaining organic methods to lessen our footprint on the Earth and to keep our farm  and soil healthy for a long time to come.

We have the good fortune of living on an amazing farm with a little under 4 acres of gorgeous landscaping, constantly in bloom, and filled  with color. It is a pleasure to spend our time working together to bring something positive to an already wonderful community.