One lucky hobby farm enthusiast will receive a 35-acre Virginia farm

Virginia is for Horse Lovers! So where better to own a horse or hobby farm – especially one you can own for a 1,000-word essay and an entry fee of $200? The 35-acre Rock Spring Farm will be given to an essayist who can convince a panel of judges he or she loves horses, alpacas, sheep, etc. and wants to live on a hobby farm in rural Essex County. The essay contest will end Oct. 1, 2015. All entries must be received by Oct. 17, 2015; the new owner will be announced on or before Nov. 26, 2015. 

To enter the Rock Spring Farm Essay Giveaway, participants must write an essay of no more than 1,000 words describing their desire to live on a hobby farm in a rural area, their love for their animals, and their ability to care for them and the farm. The entry fee is $200. The owners, who for health reasons are retiring and downsizing, hope to receive at least 5,000 entries. Proceeds from the essay giveaway will pay off the existing mortgage, purchase a retirement home for the couple, and establish college funds for their grandchildren. 

The 35-acre farm has more than two miles of trails across rolling hills and steep slopes designed for carriage driving, horseback riding, hiking, and training for marathons. In addition to the main house (built in 1996), the farm consists of an income-producing, two-bedroom cottage (built in 2007), a late 1800s cook house, a five-stall barn, a carriage barn, a woodworking shop (built 2012) with central heating and air, a shed, a run-in, and an equipment barn. The farm has about 10 acres of open land, 25 acres of mature hardwood trees, excellent soil, and water to three of the four pastures.

The current owners will read each of the essays and select 25 finalists. A panel of educators, horse enthusiasts, and hobby farmers will select the essayist to receive the farm. A trustee is managing the finances and coding the essays to ensure anonymity.