Greg Sclater and his son Cary show off the Layz S Greenhouse. Photos by O.T. Holen.
Welcome to Layz S Ranch.By Page H. Gifford
Not too long ago, Greg Sclater opened Health Nutz along with the first indoor swimming pool. Sclater continues his quest for a healthy lifestyle and is taking it to the next level with healthy eating, going back to farming. His latest venture, the Layz S Ranch, located near scenic Palmyra, is 315 acres of lush farmland for growing and grazing for Community Supported Agriculture.
“Eighty-five to ninety percent of the produce comes from the farm,” said Sclater. “The veggies are picked fresh and virtually free of harmful sprays. We use environmentally friendly sprays only when necessary. We also incorporate Healthy Growing Practices, including arranging the garden so that beneficial plants are bedside each other, using protective plants to ward off insects by using our own compost made from leaves, straw, sawdust, etc.”
He also adds that by using the greenhouse they are able to offer fresh vegetables for an extended growing season of 27 weeks.
Currently the greenhouse is filled with a thousand varieties of mums. There is also a pumpkin patch where people can come pick their own pumpkin, popular at this time of year with Halloween coming soon and Jack-o-lanterns always ring in the fall season.
Also, still in the planning stages is the berry patch, which will feature blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, open in spring of 2010. Sclater will be offering fresh, hormone and steroid-free, grass fed Black Angus beef by the quarter and the half. The trout pond, which was supposed to open in September is still in the works as well, and fishermen can fish without a license.
The one thing Sclater is attuned to are current trends and keeping his ear to the local grapevine. As he did with Health Nutz, when area residents wanted an indoor swimming pool, he heard them and added one to the facility. This time, the nation is going green and farms in Virginia are seeing a renewal along with the green movement. Residents want to buy local and are no longer pleased with what the local grocery store chain has to offer.
Since Sclater understands getting back to basics, he has devised a program and assures that those who want fresh produce can get it from him. The co-op is a guarantee. By joining their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), those who purchase shares get fresh vegetables in season. Those that have a share in the farm, get not only 30 varieties of locally grown produce but flowers, herbs, and may include other items throughout various seasons, including local honey, decorative corn, cut flowers, pumpkins, cider and eggs will also be available.
The Couple's Share, enough for two people is available, and the Family Share is enough to feed four people. Consumers can also try out the program for a month to see if it is worthwhile for them to participate on a regular basis.
“We strive to provide a generous quantity of 6-10 different items each week,” added Sclater.
Along with shares comes reusable bags to be used weekly for the items as well the option of delivery but that costs extra per week and will only be offered at Lake Monticello. Other delivery areas will be added if there is interest. There is also a provision for those on vacation.
The farm features many special events throughout the year and harvest time was celebrated with hay rides, hay and corn mazes for the kids and pumpkin picking on Family Fun Day on October 3. Twenty-five percent of the day's proceeds benefited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The fun continues on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through October 24. Sclater encourages field trips to his farm. In the spring, he is planning a garden tour for members to know what they are eating.
“I want to the kids to come out and enjoy it and see what farming is all about.”
For more information, visit their website at http://layzsranch.com or call (434) 591-0898.