Meadow Glen
Farm

Meadow Glen Farm takes its name from the meadows that dot our landscape among sections of woodlands.  The second part of the name honors Glen Comer, who along with his wife Elsie, made of this place a sustainable agricultural economy from 1933 until their deaths in the mid 1990's. 

Since that time we, Melinda Comer Lowry and Brian Lowry, have sought to improve the land's amenability to wildlife, while continuing to produce as much of our own food as possible from the land.  Specifically, we have planted native prairie grasses and native wildflowers that are well suited to our climate.  These plants are incredibly important for wildlife cover and food stuff.

The prairie openings provide excellent habitat for specific songbirds, quail and rabbits.  Further, these areas hold many butterfly nectar sources and larval host plant sources.  Throughout the summer months the fields dance with windblown blossoms and colorful butterflies.

The farm also has a pond and an adjoining 20 acre watershed lake.  In these areas shore birds, several species of frogs, fish, waterfowl, birds of prey, crayfish, and freshwater mussels thrive abundantly.  It is not uncommon to see deer come and drink, to watch muscrats and beaver write their long V on the surface as they swim, or to marvel at osprey as they hunt high above the ripples.

Eleven of our 45 acres consist of mixed forest.  Here oaks, hickories, and maples are most abundant.  Virginia pine, dogwood, redbud, and serviceberry trees add rich background and color to the landscape.  In the woods one enjoys the antics of squirrels, raccoons, oppossums, box turtles.  We relish the beauty of woodland flora such as trilliums, rue anenome, bloodroot, cranefly orchids, and trout lilies.  Great pleasure is derived in witnessing the changes of tone and texture among trees as morning light, seasonal variations, or rain etch their story on trunk, limb, and leaf.  

We maintain 7 acres of pasture for a variety of animals: a miniature donkey, ponies, and Angora goats.  Closer to the house we keep rabbits and a chicken flock.  Our dog friends often join us outdoors.  The animals give us much to enjoy, whether it be hitching Carson, the pony, up for a cart ride or playing fetch with the dogs.

The pastured animals are of additional value in that they provide us compost material for our gardens.  We thoroughly enjoy working our 4,000 square foot vegetable garden.  Here we grow tomatoes, beans, okra, peppers, lettuces, carrots, peas, potatoes, strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb, cucumbers, zucchinis, summer squashes, watermelons, and winter squashes.  The variety grows as autumn approaches each year.  We further enjoy the process of canning and freezing much of our food.  Apple and pear trees add to the bounty.

Finally, we have an abiding affection for raising herbs and perennial flowers in numerous beds around our home.  The colors and fragrances welcome us with each new day and we hope they serve as a welcome to our guests.