Shenandoah Valley Crowns Walter Brown as 2023’s “Valley Treasure”

Recognizing a Lifelong Steward of Land and Community.

As the golden hues of autumn descend upon the Shenandoah Valley, a region known for its bucolic landscapes and cultural richness, the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley has unveiled its 2023 Valley Treasure. This year’s beacon of community service and environmental stewardship is Walter Brown of Arbor Hill in Augusta County, a man whose life work embodies the preservation of both the tangible and intangible heritages of this iconic American locale.

For those unfamiliar, the Valley Treasure Award is an annual recognition bestowed by the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley, an organization committed to the conservation of the region’s natural resources and cultural heritage. It serves as an occasion to acknowledge those individuals who, often behind the scenes, have been ceaseless advocates for the Valley—its land, water, and way of life.

Walter and Joan Brown

This year, Walter Brown and his family stand out as remarkable torchbearers of such commitment. An Augusta County native, Brown was born and still lives on Hidden Springs Farm, a property that has been in his family for three generations. His father and grandfather before him farmed this land, and Brown, along with his wife Joan, intends to pass this legacy on to his daughters, nieces, and nephews.

Years ago, the family took an important step to safeguard this legacy by securing a USDA easement to protect a spring on their property, which yields a staggering 300,000 gallons of water per day. Later, Hidden Springs Farm was accorded a Virginia Century Farm designation, a nod to farms that have been family-owned for over a century.

But the Brown family’s efforts didn’t stop there. They are presently working with the Black Family Land Trust to place their farm under a conservation easement. This legal agreement will perpetually protect the land and, importantly, recognize the Brown family farm as one of the last remaining African American-owned farms in Augusta County. As Ebonie Alexander, Executive Director of the Black Family Land Trust, remarks, “That land is an economic and spiritual asset that connects African Americans to their rich ancestral history.”

Beyond environmental stewardship, Walter and Joan Brown have been indefatigable in their community service. Long retired from their careers as a police officer and a schoolteacher, respectively, the Browns continue to volunteer in various capacities, all while operating their 1898-established family farm.

The Alliance will honor Walter Brown and his family in a virtual ceremony on September 20 at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, with over 20 years of agricultural experience and current Senior Advisor to the Dean of Agriculture at Virginia State University, will grace the event as a guest speaker.

In an era when the integrity of both land and community is often compromised for short-term gains, the story of Walter Brown and his family serves as a compelling testament to what can be achieved through long-term vision, dedication, and a sense of communal responsibility. It is fitting, therefore, that Brown receives this year’s Valley Treasure Award, complete with a $500 cash stipend funded by an anonymous donor.

Interested folks can register for the award ceremony at www.shenandoahalliance.org, and those inspired can certainly look forward to next year’s nominations.