HISTORY OF THE FARM
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ovoka forms the western boundary of fertile Piedmont and extends into the breathtaking Shenandoah Valley. Our unique location, at the intersection of these three features, creates a rich and complex microclimate that imparts an incomparable quality to our meats.
Rich Virginia history.
Ovoka’s storied history predates that of the United States. Originally part of the 3000 acre Robert “King” Carter land grant in 1731, Ovoka was surveyed by George Washington in 1769. A stone building still stands on the Ovoka property that Washington used when he surveyed the land.
Remnants of the farm’s original 18th century stone structure are still seen under the farmhouse, which itself dates back to the 1730’s. During the Civil War, Ovoka served as an important strategic location, with both armies occupying the farm at multiple points.
Ovoka became a focal point for equestrian sport in the early 19th century, with the first trotting track in America. Three centuries after its creation, Ovoka remains, at its core, a working farm with an inseparable connection to the land.
