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In the beginning, when we moved to “down-county” Washington County MD, in 2015, it was like looking into a “Magic 8-Ball” the spherical toy with vague predictions that shift, as you shake it. We started with a strong partnership, and desire for “P&Q” that is, Peace & Quiet.
“Options open” “Vague Prediction” “Maybe a Vineyard” (no ag exemptions for properties smaller than 7 acres) “Conservation?” (Again, we were too small for the county to bother with). We bought the 2nd property, 3909, in 2018.
Our mornings begin, with a cacophony of crows, or crescendo of birdsong, so “quiet” is relative. The soft rushing of the Furnace Rapid of Antietam Creek, is audible from the South slope. The properties together, follow a ridge extending from one conservation area below Elk Ridge, to another conservation area next to Harpers Ferry Road. Across the road, is the C&O National Historic Park.

Who We Are:
Chuck is Navy brat who joined the Army, & became a military journalist. He retired, after 25 years of service in DOD. Emily is a lifetime amateur naturalist, artist & writer, evolving back to these callings, from her career as a manual therapist. We met in the Japanese martial arts community, & continue our practice together.
When we moved out to Washington County MD, just South of Antietam Battlefield, in 2015, the property was overgrown fields, the conservation area choked with invasive plants & trees.
Using permaculture & sustainable methods, we have planted over 250 trees (12 of them apples from our Apple Guru friend, Dr Eric Rice) removed 95% of invasive Ailanthus Altissima (Tree of Heaven) & are now starting on the Russian Olive & assorted invasive honeysuckles. Johnson Grass, actually a North African accidental import, was used to stabilize topsoil in the South, after overgrazing & mechanical cultivation destroyed native vegetation, is all too happy in the MidAtlantic. We also deal with invasive thistles, which spread like wildfire, & are viciously prickly.
We started with the trees, knowing that was the longest timeline. Unfortunately, some of the oaks the Maryland state nursery, Ayer’s, supplied, were a Chinese hybrid & are now considered invasive. Fortunately, we also planted hazels (witch & nut) persimmons, redbuds, wild plums, & the South side, facing Antietam Creek, is a keystone species, the American white oak, Quercus Alba. Even better, they are doing well. The North side, along Crampton Lane, is planted with several varieties of pine, for shelter from winter winds.
The Native peoples of the MidAtlantic practiced burning, to keep open meadows among hardwood trees, as forage for their favorite meat, the whitetail deer. Colonists cut down or burnt (for heat, or charcoal) almost every single mature hardwood tree, as they settled. I can think of one oak in the area, that might be more than 200 years old, at the Ferry Hill plantation, on the other side of Shepherdstown Pike, North of us. Europeans didn’t understand Native methods of planting intermingled food crops, without much soil disturbance. Colonial plows, tobacco & other crops depleted the soils, leaving a blank slate for invasive vegetation.
In about 10 years, we have gone from a desolate, abandoned pasture choked with weeds, to small, flourishing native (mostly..) trees, meadowed patches & paths, lines of berries that also serve as snow fences, on the North side, & patches of vegetable gardens, around the house.
We also built, with our brilliant contractor friend in the lead, two metal Quonset domes. One became a short term rental, the other, a small workshop space, for our martial arts & other educational pursuits.
I’m not a person who spends much time resting on laurels, but I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished, & know there is more to come.