FEATURED PROPERTY : Solviva, An Organic Farm for over 100 years

The meaning of "SOLVIVA" as described in owner, Anna Edey's words.

"I recalled that "Solviva" is the Swedish name for the flower Cowslip, and it dawned on me that the name means "Sun Life". Ah…yes!…I had already come to believe that in order for us humans to be able continue to sustain our lives here on Earth we must learn to use the daily incoming power of the Sun, instead of living entirely off the capital of the stored fossil solar power: oil, gas and coal, or the hideously dangerous and expensive nuclear power. Thus, the previous year, I had started to devote my life to finding and developing ways to live as much as possible with solar power, for heating my home and producing electricity. Upon hearing the commanding voice say "SOLVIVA!" I knew that this would be the name of my work.

I also soon found out that in the Swedish Flower Language, the flower SOLVIVA means: "Hoppas! Det skall till slut bli som vi onskar", which means: "Hope! It will finally become as we wish". How very appropriate"

Offered for sale for the first time in over 40 years is this, almost 10 acre compound situated down a quiet residential lane off of the road from Vineyard Haven to West Tisbury. The land has a rural up island feel yet is minutes from Vineyard Haven. A perfect oasis in which to build your dream, or continue the 100 year legacy of an organic small holding on Martha's Vineyard. 

Offered Exclusively as a whole 9.78 acre parcel for $1,595,000 or  one parcel of 5.20 acres for $1,125,000    

Taken from the September Real Estate Guide - Words by Susan Gattling. (photos are taken over the past 30 years)

The complex consists of a main house, three guest houses, a pool house, two ponds and several sheds for farm animals and equipment, all in an open meadow setting totaling 11 bedroomsand six bathrooms.

Winding trails throughout the property lead to each of the  private retreats and reveal the mature trees, shrubs and wildlife  that enhance the land. “There’s an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna,” Owner, Anna Edey, says. “Over the years more than 100 species of birds have been sighted.”

Anna has been living there since 1972, and has continuously been using organic, non-polluting ways of living, developing her own innovative solar-green-clean methods for heating, cooling, wastewater management and food production, which cause no harm to water, soil, air or atmosphere.

The five-bedroom, two-bath main house built in 1981 overlooks the barn and spring fed lily pond and includes wide wooden floors, a conservatory and deck. “There are spectacular sunsets reflected in the pond,” she says. Solar gain and heat from the wood stove warm the house; there is no furnace. “This land has been a dairy farm since the early 1900s, and has a totally organic, non-polluting history,” Anna explains.

The 1904 barn has been converted into a living space with three bedrooms and an open living room, dining area and kitchen. Outside is an outhouse with a sink and shower. It has such potential to be revitalized! 

A pool house includes the solar-heated pool designed for swimming in place against a current that’s been enjoyed over the years by the owner’s children and grandchildren. A loft bedroom, bathroom and sauna are on the second floor. The wood stove on the first floor provides additional heat for the pool room and sauna. Attached to the building is the former chicken house.

Another guest house, built by Anna’s daughter while still a teenager, includes one bedroom, decorative stained glass windows and other recycled materials and an outhouse.

The property can be subdivided into two lots. The second lot includes a charming stone house built in 1975 by Anna and a local builder with a massive two-story stone fireplace and a bunkhouse with bathroom facilities near a vernal pond.

Anna created an environmentally sound compound that was energy independent and chemical free with a system of composting toilets and a gray water purification system. A new owner would have to install a septic system.

In 1984, she developed the Solviva Greenhouse on this farm, which became widely known for being the first to be capable of producing high yields of exceptionally high quality food yearround, without any heating fuels or grid electricity, and without any pesticides or other harmful chemicals. Anna successfully incorporated warm-blooded animals (happy chickens) as an auxiliary to the comprehensive solar heating system. Solviva Farm was the first to produce ready-to-eat salad greens and edible flowers on the Island.  Anna said her goal was to design a more sustainable way to provide for basic necessities. Her books Solviva and Green Light at the End of the Tunnel, which document her experiments over the years, have been acclaimed as being the  “the most comprehensive guides to sustainable ways to live”.  Visit the Solviva Website here for more information.

SOLVIVA WAS SOLD ON FEB 1ST 2019 FOR $1,425,000.