CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Greenbrier Farms announced it will immediately close to the public outside of its traditional Christmas, strawberry and pumpkin seasons due to what it says is “increasing operational restrictions and pressure from the city of Chesapeake permitting and zoning, as well as the Chesapeake Health Department.”
The city, however, said in a statement that its efforts to help the farm had been “rebuffed.”
In a Facebook post, Greenbrier Farms said it remained committed to the three seasonal events, but nothing else.
“While we remain committed to offering our Christmas tree lot in the winter, strawberry U-pick season in the spring and pumpkin patch in the fall,” Greenbrier Farms said, “we are no longer permitted to open under our business model for additional public activities, events or general visits outside of these designated times.”
It said its strawberry picking season had come to an end for the current season.
It said it would no longer open to the public for visits to the playground, barnyard animals, walking the grounds or enjoying scenery.
“These everyday experiences have been part of what makes Greenbrier Farms special, and we understand how meaningful they’ve been to so many,” the farm said. “We share in your disappointment and thank you for the many memories made here over the years.”
The city of Chesapeake said in a statement Thursday afternoon that it has not shut down the farm and has taken no action to do so.
Earlier today, Historic Greenbrier Farms announced via social media that they intend to close portions of their operations. In the announcement, the owners expressed that the City’s zoning and permitting requirements, along with certain Virginia Department of Health requirements, are the cause for this closure.
Several years ago, the City changed the zoning ordinance to permit operations such as Greenbrier Farms. Prior to that zoning ordinance change, the use was not permitted and the City received numerous complaints from the community. The City’s goal was to find a way to permit the operation while addressing community concerns.
Since that time, the City has reached out on multiple occasions to the owner to offer assistance and support in obtaining a permit. All of these efforts have been rebuffed. Additionally, the City has attempted to broker a resolution between the owner and the Virginia Department of Health, but the owner has not been open to those efforts.
The City has not shut down Greenbrier Farms, has taken no action to shut down Greenbrier Farms, and remains committed to assisting the owner with getting approval from the Virginia Department of Health.
— city of Chesapeake statement on Greenbrier Farms announcement
You may recall Greenbrier Farms played host to a rally for now-President Donald Trump last June.
Greenbrier Farms also said that while it will welcome people back to the farm for its pumpkin patch in the fall, it would no longer host The Haunting at the farm. Also, during its Christmas season, it will no longer offer its previous Christmas activities, though it said it would still sell Christmas trees and provide free photos with Santa while people buy a tree.
“We want to thank our community for your unwavering support, cherished memories and generations of patronage,” Greenbrier Farms said. “This farm has always been about people as much as it’s been about produce — and though these changes are not what we hoped for, we look forward to remaining part of your seasonal traditions.”
On its website, the 500-acre Greenbrier Farms highlights its “family-friendly Chesapeake destination that has been around since 1916,” and noted it is a “fully operating nursery that also offers pick-your-own tulips, strawberries, peaches, sunflowers, wildflowers, vegetables, herbs, pumpkins and cut-your-own Christmas trees.”
It also touts itself as a premier wedding destination in southeastern Virginia, and hosted private and corporate events, along with birthday parties.
Along with that, it has hosted a farmer’s market as well as pick your own tulips, strawberries, peaches, sunflowers, wildflowers, vegetables, pumpkins and Christmas trees. It has also hosted numerous farm events — among them, its Summer Bash, Belles & Blooms, Boots & Belles, Opening Day, Kegs & Eggs, an Easter egg hunt, Derby Day, a fall festival, The Haunting, the Oyster & South Festival, Santa’s Workshop, Breakfast with Santa and Crepe Myrtle Days.
