Northern Neck Farm Museum –Building a Foundation

 Category:  Community Infrastructure – cultural institution

Project Description: To transition the idea of a regional farm museum from a dream into reality, the RC&D provided capacity building to develop a non-profit corporation with a diverse board of directors, enlist membership base, develop strategic plan and initiate fundraising.  A barn was raised for exhibits and educational programming.

Total Project Value – The museum has raised over $ 280,000 in cash with an equal amount donated for a total value of $ 560,000.  At completion the value will exceed $ 2 million.

Return on Federal Investment  7 to 1Over a four year time period coordinator has dedicated 20% of time to this project which equals 80% of one year or approximately $ 80,000.   With a current total project value of $ 560,000 that equals a ratio 7 to 1 of local money to federal money.  Plus potential for rapid expansion in value is now possible since a foundation has been built. 

 Outcomes
            1,000  have viewed the portable museum exhibits

               800  people have visited the museum in first year of operation

               400  school children have participated in education programs

                       that are directly correlated to Standards of Learning

                  1  TV program created that featured Farm Museums

                  1   contractual job created

                25   curriculums developed that are SOL correlated

 8.  Youth involvement:  The education program provided a farm museum experience for 400 children in the first year of operations.  Four youths have served as volunteers at the museum (one with construction of wind mill and exhibit development, two at opening ceremonies, and one as volunteer staff at the museum to greet and guide visitors).  A community garden was developed by the Master Gardeners and was included as an activity of the YMCA youth camp for the summer of 2009.  

 9.  Partners:  Major partners include Northern Neck Tourism Council, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Farm Bureau, Soil and Water Conservation District, Colonial Farm Credit, Bay Etching, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, Richmond County Museum, Westmoreland Museum, Pioneer Seed, and Wiley Foundation.  Over twenty- five other companies have made donations to support specific activities. 

 Contact Person

Steve Pope, Chairperson; Tidewater RC&D Council  or Pat.Tyrrell, RC&D Coordinator, NRCS

     772 Richmond Beach Road; Tappahannock Virginia 22560

     Phone:  804-443-1118   Fax:  804-443-1511   

     Email:  info@TidewaterRCD.org