Every Saturday morning from May to October, as the sun breaks over the Blue Ridge, Culpeper’s downtown begins to stir. From 7:30 am to noon, the Culpeper Farmer’s Market comes alive, showcasing a vibrant patchwork of farmers, ranchers, and craftsmen —the yeomanry of the county, so to speak.
This past weekend, I leashed up my trusty rescue pup Coco and made my way to this local institution and I must tip my hat to the organizers who have done a real service in bringing this group together in a very welcoming setting.
My first stop was Moving Meadows Farm, where I caught up with Wally Hudson. Wally and his family are local celebrities in Culpeper — many remember their beloved storefront on Main Street, which served up farm-fresh breakfasts and some of the best coffee around. Though that chapter closed last year, the farm remains as committed as ever to ethical, sustainable agriculture.
Moving Meadows—as the name alludes to—specializes in raising poultry in mobile coops that are moved daily around the land of the farm, so that the chickens (and—hopefully—turkeys!) get fresh grass and bugs and are moved off the previous day’s droppings. The Hudson’s dedication to sustainable and humane agriculture shows the best of the local ethos.
I have been trying to convince Wally to raise turkeys again this year’s Thanksgiving. There’s simply no comparison to a bird raised with such care and attention, and I personally believe he does it like no farmer in the area. If you cross paths with Wally, be sure to nudge him toward raising turkeys again this year.
After chatting with Wally, I wandered over to Cedar Hill Woodworking and picked up a set of Culpeper-themed slate coasters. The Locklear family, who run Cedar Hill, are artisans and their creations, often from oak and walnut, but my recent slate acquisition shows they have some diversity in their product line. We had a great conversation about how some of the walnut and white oak trees that I selectively harvested off my land a few years ago could possibly (if improbably) be in their products.
Next, I was drawn in by Will Clark of C Squared Meats. I hadn’t planned on buying beef that morning, but Will’s enthusiasm — and his tailored $50 beef box — convinced me otherwise. The C Squared farm is 4th generation and also deeply devoted to regenerative agriculture, having participated in studies on regenerative practices.
Their vision goes beyond just selling beef: they aim to open a local storefront dedicated entirely to family-farm products from Culpeper and neighboring counties. To my mind, C Squared wants to fill the gap left by Wally’s withdrawal of Moving Meadows from downtown Culpeper. This plan for locally sourced agricultural products sold to locals is powerful and enticing. It exemplifies that ethos of Culpeper and the surrounding counties—a commitment to agriculture that is profitable but ethical and sustainable.
Coco enjoyed himself thoroughly. More than one vendor slipped him a treat, and he accepted each one with tail-wagging glee. This is the Culpeper way— friendly, neighborly, and ready to share a moment of kindness with a four-legged visitor.
All in all a great day!
