Enter today to win the picturesque Rock Spring Farm

Do you dream of owning a hobby farm?

Then enter the Rock Spring Farm Essay Contest!

Virginia is for Lovers, so where better to own a horse or hobby farm – especially one you could own for a 1,000-word essay and an entry fee of $200? The 35-acre Rock Spring Farm will be “sold” to an essayist who can convince a panel of judges he or she loves horses, alpacas, sheep, gardening, 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 Contest, participants must write an essay of no more than 1,000 words describing their desire to live in a rural area and own a hobby 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 contest will pay off the existing mortgage, purchase a retirement home for the couple, and establish college funds for their grandsons. 

The 35-acre farm has more than two miles of trails designed for carriage driving, horseback riding, and hiking. 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 in 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 winner. A trustee is handling the finances and coding the essays to ensure anonymity; the owners will not know the identities of those who submit entires. 

To learn more, visit the contest's Facebook page. To enter the contest, click here!

What is your dream?

Frequently Asked Questions: May 6, 2015

Can you give the layout of the main house (i.e. layout of first floor, second floor, etc.) and the room sizes (approximately) like you did for the land? Where are the full baths vs. the half baths? What floor(s) are the bedrooms on? 

The house is three stories high. The first floor is a modified English basement with an office, half bath, garage, and a large storage room (20x40) that could be converted into whatever you’d want to use it for – a master bedroom, efficiency apartment, mother-in-law suite, playroom, homeschool classroom, etc.

The second floor is the main living floor with the master bedroom (full bath – shower and Jacuzzi soaking tub), half bath, living room, dining room, and the kitchen (with three pantry closets and a laundry closet). French doors open into the sunroom, and another set of French doors open into the dining room.

The third floor has three bedrooms and a large walk-in closet. Two of the bedrooms have full baths and walk-in closets.

I am not sure of the room dimensions, but this house is huge – more than 3,000 square feet - the house measures 40x40. Ceiling fans are in the bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and sunroom. There are three ceiling fans on the front porch, too.

How is your well water? Do you have any problem with running out, or is the well a deep well?

A shallow well supplies the main house. We’ve never run out of water even during a severe drought because it is fed by the spring for which the property is named. A second well is Artesian and supplies the cottage. Water also simultaneously could be sent to the main house, if necessary.

Which appliances go with the house?

Appliances are a washer, dryer, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, and whole-house vacuuming system.

Will the farm equipment stay with the farm?

The farm equipment is not included with the farm as it is personal property. However, if we do not need it after we move, whoever becomes the new owner will have the opportunity to purchase it before we try to sell it.

I understand that none of the animals will stay except Diesel, the barn cat, and I am guessing that also means that the horse equipment (tack, carriages etc.) will be going with you as these are your personal property, right?

You are correct – the tack and carriages will go with us. However, we will be selling most of the carriages, so if you are interested, please let us know!

How difficult is it to maintain the farm?

I need to make sure there is no misconception about the farm's upkeep. The time-consuming maintenance is the lawn and gardens; the pastures are a close second. The fences need mending often because one of our horses continually rubs against the boards and they break. Maintaining the farm was not an issue 10 years ago. It wasn't even an issue a few years ago. It only has become difficult as Randy has aged and the RA has progressed. The grass cutting takes place during the summer and the cost, other than the expense of the mower, is gas. If you don't have horses, or if your horses don't push against the boards, the boards will not need to be replaced as often as we need to replace them. A lot of the expense of the farm depends upon your lifestyle, your hobbies, and your ability to complete the work without having to hire labor. I hope my answers allay some of your concerns!

Dreams

Interesting article about the necessity of dreaming...and entering essay contests for property!

Although this doesn't pertain to our contest exactly, there are similarities. 

Start writing....1,000-word limit; entries must be postmarked on or before October 1, 2015!!!

http://inndreams.weebly.com/inn-dreams/yes-it-is-legit