Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Virginia Green
Hotels & Lodging Facilities

Virginia Green
South Branch Farm
Hightown, VA

Virginia Green is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s campaign to promote environmentally-friendly practices in all aspects of Virginia’s tourism industry. Virginia Green has established "core activities" specific to each sector of tourism, and these practices are considered the required minimum for participation in the program. However, Virginia Green encourages its participants to reduce their environmental impacts in all aspects of their operations, and this profile provides a full list of all their “green” activities. These are the activities that guests / customers can expect to find when they visit this facility.

South Branch Farm

With a "back yard" stretching nearly a half-mile, and circled by a private nature trail with panoramic views of the Blue Grass Valley, this fully modernized nineteenth century farm house is a slice of heaven for birders, astronomers and anyone else seeking a natural retreat. Located on 45 acres, with 4 bedrooms, antique and contemporary furnishings, 1½ baths, full kitchen and laundry.

We at South Branch Farm are commited to sustainable, eco-friendly tourism. Each of us must do our small part to turn the tide and both practice sustainable living and educate others.

South Branch Fram is located on 45 acres of private land with woods, meadows, pastures and areas of thicket - all of which provide a wide range of animal and bird habitat. No hunting is allowed. In addition, the maple trees on the Farm are tapped each year supporting local eco-friendly, sustainable industry.

Virginia Green Activities

This facility pledges that they:
Offer optional linen service
- Have signage in each guest room explaining the linen reuse procedures 
- Change linens only upon request 
- Train housekeeping staff on our process for optional linen service  
- Use non-phosphate, non-toxic and biodegradable laundry detergents 
- Minimize the use of bleach and chlorinated chemicals 
- Line dry linens whenever possible 

Recycle
- Have in place clearly marked recycling bins or provide convenient drop-off locations for guests to recycle: 
- Glass Bottles 
- Plastic Bottles 
- Aluminum cans 
- Steel cans 
- Newspaper 
- Cardboard 

Reduce solid waste
- Use bulk soap dispensers instead of individual soaps/shampoos in guest rooms 
- Use refillable shampoo bottles rather than single-use bottles 
- Instruct housekeeping staff to save and reuse unopened items 
- Provide condiments, cream and sugar, etc. in bulk 
- Use bulk soap dispensers in public restrooms 
- Reuse scrap paper for notes 
- Use green cleaning products that are dispensed in bulk 
- Properly recycle and/or dispose of thinners and solvents 
- Perform preventative maintenance on all appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing, and vehicles 
- Use integrated pest management (IPM) 

Use water efficiently
- Perform preventative maintenance to stop drips and leaks 
- Have installed low flow toilets (use 1.6 gallons per flush or less) 
- Have landscaping that utilizes native species 
- Use rain gauges and water meters and only irrigate when necessary 
- Maintain vegetative buffers around streams and ponds 

Conserve energy
- Track overall energy bills 
- Have individual thermostats for each room; ensure they are correctly adjusted 
- Have installed ceiling fans 
- Have installed ENERGY STAR-rated windows and doors 
- Regularly perform preventative maintenance on HVAC system 
- Use natural lighting (i.e., open draperies and raise shades whenever adequate light from windows is available) 
- Have adopted a policy/practice to turn off lights in unoccupied rooms 
- Have installed compact fluorescent light bulbs in all rooms and canned lighting 

Offer a green events package
- We do not host conferences or events 

South Branch Farm    South Branch Farm

For more information on South Branch Farm, see www.southbranchfarm.com or contact Patti Reum at info@southbranchfarm.com or 540-474-3245.

For more information on the Virginia Green program, see www.deq.state.va.us/Programs/PollutionPrevention/VirginiaGreen.aspx.

Virginia GreenVirginia Green is a partnership supported by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Hospitality & Tourism Association, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Virginia is for Lovers