A Century in Powell Valley
Family. Farming. Southwest Virginia. Since 1922.
Welcome to Clinch Haven
Clinch Haven Farms is a historic family farm in Powell Valley near Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Established in 1922, the farm grew from the vision of Dutch immigrant Douglas Terpstra into one of Southwest Virginia's notable dairy operations, producing and delivering Grade A milk throughout the region and raising purebred Holstein-Friesian cattle.
More than a century later, the land remains a working family farm. Today, fifth-generation farmer John W. Peace II and his daughter Shelby, son Trey with wife Tori Peace and grandsons Arlo & Eli (7th Generation) continue the Clinch Haven story through beef cattle, hay production and the preservation of the farm's history and rural Appalachian heritage.
1922
Douglas Terpstra purchases Powell Valley land
1928
Full dairy operation established
Today
Fifth generation still farming the land
1922 — Where the Story Began
The Clinch Haven story begins in 1922, when Douglas Terpstra purchased land in Powell Valley. A Dutch immigrant, Terpstra began building what would eventually become one of the region's best-known dairy farms.
By 1928, Clinch Haven had developed into a full-time dairy operation. Over the decades that followed, the farm grew along with the families and communities it served.
Dutch Roots
Immigrant vision planted in Appalachian soil
Powell Valley
The land that would anchor five generations
1928
Full dairy operation fully underway
The Dairy Years
Clinch Haven eventually grew to approximately 600 acres and became a true cow-to-consumer dairy operation, raising purebred Holstein-Friesian cattle and distributing Grade A dairy products across Wise, Lee, Scott, Dickenson, Buchanan and Russell counties.
Employees
By 1967
Holstein Cows
In the herd
Ag Buildings
Including all-electric milking parlor
Lbs Milk/Cow
Annual average per cow
Visitors to the Farm
The scale and modernization of Clinch Haven's dairy operation attracted visitors from beyond Southwest Virginia. Historical photographs preserve one such visit — an international delegation touring the farm's milking facilities. These pictures are from a visit from the Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations.
From the Clinch Haven Farms family archive.
The Land Remains
Buildings change.
Cattle change.
Generations come and go.
Powell Valley is still home.
Some Things Change. Some Things Don't.
John W. Peace II grew up on Clinch Haven Farms, where tractors, cattle, hayfields and farm work were simply part of growing up. Today, John represents the fifth generation of the family farming this Powell Valley land — living here alongside his son Trey and carrying forward the memories his daughter Shelby also grew up with.
From Milk Cows to Corn Mazes
The dairy years eventually passed, but Clinch Haven kept finding new ways to bring people onto the farm. For a time, fall in Powell Valley meant the Clinch Haven Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch — fields that once fed dairy cattle became giant corn mazes that brought families out for a different kind of agricultural experience.
Featured In
What's Next
A farm that has lasted more than a century learns a thing or two about changing with the times. Clinch Haven Farms is exploring new ways to build upon its agricultural and Appalachian heritage while keeping the family farm working for another generation.
One of those new chapters is Woodbooger Beef Jerky Company by Clinch Haven Farms LLC.
Woodbooger Beef Jerky
From the Archives
From the Clinch Haven Farms family archive. Dates and identifications noted where known; where uncertain, captions reflect what the photographs show.
D. Terpstra, owner, Clinch Haven Farms — Clinch Haven Farms family archive
Portrait — Our 'Papaw' Jimmie G. Galloway bought Clinch Haven Farms in 1972
Clinch Haven Farms milk truck — Clinch Haven Farms family archive
"Always Fresh and Sweet" — Clinch Haven glass milk bottles, Powell's Valley, Virginia
Clinch Haven Grade A Vitamin D milk carton — Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Visitors touring the Clinch Haven milking operation — Clinch Haven Farms family archive, date unknown
Young John W. Peace II on the farm Ford tractor — Clinch Haven Farms family archive
Aerial view of the Clinch Haven Farms VA Tech Memorial — Clinch Haven Farms family archive
About John W. Peace II
John W. Peace II is a fifth-generation farmer, author and syndicated feature writer from Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Raised on Clinch Haven Farms, he writes about farming, Appalachian history and heritage, rural America and the people and places of Southwest Virginia.
Author & Writer
Syndicated feature writer on Appalachian life
Fifth Generation
Still farming the land his family has worked since 'Papaw' Capt. Jimmie Galloway came home from WWII
Come Back to the Farm Anytime
Clinch Haven Farms
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Established 1922
Get in Touch
Email: jwpeace@gmail.com
Website: www.ClinchHavenFarms.com
More than a century in Powell Valley.
Clinch Haven Farms