News & Media

Homestead Preserve’s Old Dairy Achieves Virginia Green Status

3/17/2008
For Immediate Release
Website: http://www.homesteadpreserve.com

Homestead Preserve’s Old Dairy Community Center was recently named a Virginia Green Conference Center by the Department of Environmental Quality. Virginia Green, a partnership program supported by the Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association and Virginia is for Lovers, recognizes tourism-related businesses and organizations that demonstrate a responsibility to the environment and Virginia’s natural resources.

To become eligible for Virginia Green status, facilities must make a commitment to, at a minimum, water efficiency, energy conservation, supporting green conferences and events, providing recycling, eliminating the use of Styrofoam, and reducing disposables.

According to Jessica Stephenson, Program Director of Homestead Preserve’s non-profit foundation, Virginia Hot Springs Preservation Trust, the Virginia Green program allows Old Dairy and other facilities like it to serve as examples of environmental stewardship in the tourism industry. “Green tourism has a niche, and we can fill it,” she explains. “Our desire is to raise awareness that it isn’t difficult for businesses to take care of the environment.”

Currently, Old Dairy actively recycles aluminum cans, plastic products, and office paper. All staff members use personal mugs and water bottles in place of Styrofoam and disposable containers. The building was renovated with low flow toilets and leak detection technology. All lights in Old Dairy were replaced with compact florescent bulbs, an efficient heating system was installed, and all appliances and office equipment are Energy Star certified. Finally, Old Dairy will offer conference guests a Green Events package with total recycling and waste reduction options.

Restoration and renovation of the Old Dairy Community Center in Warm Springs was completed in May 2007. This facility of historic structures has space available for reservation for both Homestead Preserve owners and the Bath County community at large. Trimble Hall offers space for up to 170 with dinner tables, while the silos and Holstein Barn can accommodate groups ranging from 12 to 30. Outdoor gatherings can also be accommodated on Old Dairy’s lawn adjacent to the pool.

Homestead Preserve developers Charles Adams and partner Don Killoren were instrumental in the design and development of Celebration, Florida, near Orlando, which was hailed as the “Most Advanced Community in the Country from 1996-1998” by The Guinness Book of World Records. Crosland, Inc. of Charlotte, NC is a financial partner in Homestead Preserve, and Crosland’s President and CEO Todd Mansfield was also directly involved in the development and success of Celebration, Florida. Crosland, Inc. is one of the Southeast’s leading and most diversified real estate companies. For more information, call Deborah Huso at (540) 474-5147, or e-mail drhuso@writewellmedia.com.

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