The Worlds Best Farmer

The man Thomas Jefferson called “the best farmer in the world” would have been 250 years old this year. The trustees of James Madison’s farm and home, Montpelier, are celebrating the anniversary with an appropriate Fall festival, October 6 and 7.

James Madison was “the Father of the Constitution,” sponsor of the Bill of Rights, the fourth President of the young United States, and, like most of the founding fathers of our country, a farmer. Thomas Jefferson arranged to have six Merino sheep imported from France, three for himself and three for his friend and neighbor Madison. President Madison reportedly was later sworn in as President in 1809 in a suit of American Merino wool.

The early autumn festival this year will appropriately feature sheep sheering demonstrations, demonstrations of spinning, weaving, quilting, and knitting, as well as crafts produced from hand-spun wool and other “euenique” materials. Along with Scottish dancing and music to fit the local Scottish flavor of the early settlers of the region, the main attraction will be the sheep dog trials. These amazingly intelligent and totally absorbed canines (along with their handlers) will compete in herding untrained and strong willed sheep around a course of gates and around a large field in timed trials. Son both days of the Festival, some of the best-trained Border Collies in the nation will fascinate observers with their skill and demonstrate how man and dog have raised sheep together for centuries.

Information on the Festival can be seen at www.fallfestival.org or by calling (8-4)972-1910. Madison’s home, Montpelier, is a National Trust historic site, 20 miles north of Charlottesville, Virginia, 60 minutes from Richmond, and 90 minutes from the Washington, D.C. beltway. Details about the site, a calendar of events, and a map are available at www.montpelier.org.

Go To Page: 1

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic