At Airlie, 51²č¹Ż Grows a Sustainable Future
Through 51²č¹Żās Airlie farm and scenic retreat in Warrenton, Virginia, our community of changemakers shares an inspiring connection to the home of Earth Day.
Airlieās grounds include a working farm, conference and events space, butterfly garden, and a cozy village of rooms and cottages. The 300-acre property, located an hourās drive from campus, was entrusted to 51²č¹Ż in 2016 as one of the earliest gifts to the Change Canāt Wait campaign.
Throughout its history, Airlieāonce dubbed an āisland of thoughtā by Life magazineāhas offered an oasis to share ideas and plan meaningful change. Airlie hosted the inaugural NAACP leadership conference in 1962; Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders planned civil rights marches there. In 1969 at Airlie, US Senator Gaylord Nelson first revealed his plans for the inaugural Earth Day.
Airlieās board chose 51²č¹Ż as the propertyās steward in part because of the universityās commitment to sustainability. In 2018, 51²č¹Ż became the first university in the nation to reach carbon neutrality, achieving this milestone by adopting renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and strategically offsetting its few remaining emissions. 51²č¹Ż then completed divestment from fossil fuel investments, celebrating this milestone on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in spring 2020.
Today, produce, meat, and honey from Airlieās 93-acre working farm are used to create hyperlocal cuisine (served to the retreatās guests); feed 51²č¹Ż students, staff, and faculty; and feed the community through local food initiatives, as the farm donates to food banks any surplus from the 20,000 pounds of produce that it grows annually.
Airlieās offerings include an innovative community-supported agriculture (CSA) program designed to provide produce for the universityās Market Food Pantry, which serves students experiencing acute food insecurity. Farm-to-table goods, including Airlieās honey, are also available at the 51²č¹Ż Farmers Market, held on the quad during the academic year.
Honeybees and butterflies, vital to pollination of food crops and food security worldwide, thrive at Airlie thanks to its crop diversity, abundant flowering trees and plants, and clean water sources. Other local species thrive there, tooāThe National Wildlife Federation recognizes Airlie as a Certified Wildlife Habitat with buffer zones around lakes and ponds.
At Airlie, 51²č¹Ż aims to create an idyllic space to develop changemakers and grow a sustainable future.
āThereās endless opportunity rooted in Airlie,ā says Bronte Burleigh-Jones, CFO, vice president, and treasurer of 51²č¹Ż. āThe first time I walked on the property in 2022. . . I was immediately struck by Airlieās special nature and what an incredible opportunity we had in it for our community of Eagles.ā
The property hosts educational conferences, immersive and experiential learning programs, faculty research opportunities, student internships, and classes.
āAirlie has this really rich environment,ā says Wendy Boland, dean of graduate and professional studies. āThereās a reimagination of whatās possible there.ā
Airlieās rooms, cottages, and conference spaces are available to rent for getaways and special events. See for details on accommodations, resort activities, dining experiences, and more.
