Morven

Morven UVA's Sustainability Lab: A destination for critical thinking gifted by John W. Kluge. Official Insta In 2001, philanthropist John W. University President John T.

Kluge gave an extraordinary gift of real estate to the University of Virginia Foundation for educational and charitable purpose. The 7,379-acre gift, valued in excess of $45 million, more than doubled the University's land holdings. Located in southeastern Albemarle County, the properties comprised 11 farms and estates, including historic Morven Farm. Casteen III described the gift as,

“An invaluable treasure that will advance the University’s academic mission as well as the public interest for generations to come.”

The Foundation currently retains 2,913 acres, known as Morven, the prior sale of 4,466 acres established two endowments to support estate maintenance and programs. Morven’s current acreage includes forty-three buildings and a core property to be held in perpetuity. The gift also includes the renowned Formal Gardens, circa 1930, and the Japanese Garden constructed in the mid-1990s. Focusing on teaching, research, and outreach, Morven Programs reflect the University of Virginia’s strategic priorities for global education, science and technology, and enhancement of the student experience.

We’re so excited to see this you for Gazpacho in the Garden (Barn)!! With storms in the forecast, we’re ready for you at...
09/12/2026

We’re so excited to see this you for Gazpacho in the Garden (Barn)!!

With storms in the forecast, we’re ready for you at the barn for 5:00 today. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the surrounds lawns while the weather holds.

If you’re riding the shuttle, pick up is at 4:30 from the pin on slide 2. First come, first served.

See you soon!

Continuing our intern spotlight series:Marco Ramirez | 4th Year — Biomedical Engineering�Project: Nitrogen Working Group...
08/04/2026

Continuing our intern spotlight series:

Marco Ramirez | 4th Year — Biomedical Engineering�Project: Nitrogen Working Group | Water sampling of streams on the Morven property
"I enjoy working in nature and taking in the beautiful scenery while collecting stream data to tell a story about the greater ecological trend of nitrogen across the property at Morven Farm."

Laiba Chattha | 3rd Year — Urban and Environmental Planning�Project: Morven Kitchen Garden | Growing and maintaining the gardens at Morven
"What I enjoy most about working at Morven is the opportunity to work alongside the other interns and build meaningful connections with both the people and the land. It's especially rewarding to see our efforts support the CSA program and provide healthy, local food to others — every day has given me a greater sense of gratitude for the role sustainable practices play in strengthening communities."

Nicholas Sutter | 3rd Year — Chemistry�Project: Decarbonization Academy | Soil composition based on land use patterns
"I love being outside. It feels like during the school year, most of my day is spent in classrooms or libraries, but working at Morven allows me to explore the outdoors. I get to learn about all the different species surrounding me as I bushwhack my way along a stream, or eat some wineberries straight from the bush as I make my way to the next plot."

UVA's Morven Kitchen Garden interns took a little journey to check on the paw paws with Morven lands expert RE Philips a...
07/27/2026

UVA's Morven Kitchen Garden interns took a little journey to check on the paw paws with Morven lands expert RE Philips and mkg manager Fiona Flynn and program director Rebecca Lewis Deeds. The Morven ridge is abundant with with paw paws, walnuts, and other forest foods. RE explained how the weather conditions have stressed out the trees - looks like that paw paws will come early this year.

Last week, Morven Sustainability Lab welcomed the 2026 Virginia Farm Summit - a day of discussing the future of local fo...
06/15/2026

Last week, Morven Sustainability Lab welcomed the 2026 Virginia Farm Summit - a day of discussing the future of local food in Virginia. Farmers, food system leaders, UVA students, and University partners convened on what it takes to expand opportunity for Virginia farmers while ensuring access to healthy, local, delicious food for generations of Virginians.
The day included a tour of the Morven Kitchen Garden, panel conversations, and a locally sourced lunch provided by Dine, all pointing toward one shared goal: a stronger, more connected farm-to-institution ecosystem.

We were honored to welcome Delegate Nicole Cole, , whose presence reminded us that this work doesn't stop at the farm gate. It's time for a Virginia Farm to Institution Movement backed by policy and legislation.

Thank you to co-hosts and organizers 4P Foods, UVA Dine, Carter Farms & Africulture, and all the farmers and leaders who showed up and shared their stories.

Featuring:
- Kari Sponaugle, Churchill Produce,
- Fiona Flynnmoore, Morven Kitchen Garden,
- Don Haight, Farmer D Farm, .d
- Michael Carter Jr, Carter Farms,
- Tom McDougall, 4P Foods,
- Laura Thompson, Aramark
- Michael Reitman, UVA Dine
- Jordan Murphy, UVA Dine

Moderated by John Kluge Jr, ,
& Christine Mahoney,

Full report forthcoming, keep an eye on our newsletter!

Last Friday, during UVA Reunions Weekend, Morven Sustainability Lab had the pleasure of hosting UVA Alumni for an immers...
06/12/2026

Last Friday, during UVA Reunions Weekend, Morven Sustainability Lab had the pleasure of hosting UVA Alumni for an immersive look at the work happening here at the lab. Guests toured the Morven Kitchen Garden with manager Fiona Flynnmoore and heard from our summer interns about their work and experiences in the garden. They also got up close with the cattle and explored our rotational grazing operations alongside Morven Cattle Farmer and UVA Alum Irvin White. MSL Faculty Director Elizabeth K. Meyer shared her vision for MSL and its growing role in UVA faculty and student research and education. Grateful for the opportunity to connect alumni with the land and the mission!

In February, we co-hosted a live staking workshop with the James River Consortium, where 40 volunteers planted 1,500 nat...
06/03/2026

In February, we co-hosted a live staking workshop with the James River Consortium, where 40 volunteers planted 1,500 native stakes — alder, buttonbush, silky dogwood, and more — along the pond bank adjacent to our Kitchen Garden. A few months ago, these were bare stakes in the ground. Now, look at them go!

Live staking is a low-cost, high-impact riparian restoration technique that uses cuttings from living woody plants to take root directly in the soil. As these species establish, they'll help combat erosion, filter runoff, and create habitat along the water's edge.

Morven at 9pm in the mist.
05/24/2026

Morven at 9pm in the mist.

04/29/2026

UVA’s Morven Sustainability Lab welcomed 20 new residents this week: a herd of red Angus cows.

For the next 12 years, the cattle will graze and help bring more life to the soil at the 2,900-acre property. https://uvatoday.me/4ulT81C

Morven just welcomed 20 red Angus cows to our 2,900-acre grounds — the first livestock on the property in nearly two dec...
04/29/2026

Morven just welcomed 20 red Angus cows to our 2,900-acre grounds — the first livestock on the property in nearly two decades. The herd is part of an exciting regenerative grazing initiative aimed at restoring soil health and revitalizing the land's agricultural ecosystem.

This is exactly the kind of land-centered work we're so excited to see growing at Morven. Read the full story in UVA Today at the link in our bio to learn more about our regenerative agriculture transition and what this means for the future of MSL.

Slide 1: The herd of cattle graze in the pasture at Morven.
Slide 2: Justin Mallory, UVA Foundation Morven Asset Manager (left), and Irvin White, UVA alum, local regenerative farmer, and Morven's cattle grazer.



Address

791 Morven Drive
Charlottesville, VA
22902

Telephone

(434) 982-4848

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