Click here for the SFVA Sustainability Report
At SFVA, we like to say we
“Cultivate Virginia.”
In a world where open land and traditions that shaped our culture are rapidly vanishing, our goal is to keep cherished ideals and experiences alive in the Commonwealth.
Throughout the development of The Meadow, preservation of both a historic and beautiful property was at the forefront of planners' mind. More than 250 acres of the 360 acre property remain open green space. Rolling pastures bordered by equine-style board fencing serve as parking lots for the State Fair without the need for acres of asphalt.
Like The Meadow Event Park, the State Fair itself is part of the DEQ's Virginia Green program as a green event. As a green event, the State fair pledges to recycle, minimize printed materials and use recycled content whenever possible, reduce waste and utilize signage to explain to Fair customers how the event is going green.
Educational Outreach
Other partnerships that encourage conservation are occurring year round at The Meadow Event Park. The Hanover-Caroline Soil and Water District uses the facility as the site of their outdoor classroom for the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience; MWEE provides all Hanover and Caroline County sixth graders a hands-on field trip that fulfills the Virginia Standard of Learning requirements. Recently, the Virginia Bluebird Society has installed a trail of nest boxes around the wetlands on the property to study and enhance the bluebird habitat.
Year-Round Initiatives at The Meadow Event Park
At least four times a year, staff is committed to picking up trash along the public roads bordering the property through the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program.
Reuse of materials also plays an important part in our day-to-day operations. Organic waste and mulch used as cattle bedding during the State Fair is used as on-site fertilizer and in landscaping throughout the year. Office staff recycles printer cartridges and reuses and recycles paper. Whenever possible, recycled office products are purchased. In the spirit of a working farm, staff often reuses wooden materials and fencing for new projects. For example, old wood decking created beautiful flower boxes for the State Fair and our equine resident, Rainaway, is housed in a paddock rebuilt with posts and wire that were on the property when it was a Thoroughbred farm.
