About US

Foodies ~ Environmentalists ~ Historians ~ Travelers ~ Readers

Farmers

Established in 2009, Skara Brae Homestead, located in the Northern Piedmont of Virginia, is owned and operated by Stephen and Sarah Butcher Howell.  As 10th-generation US farmers, their agricultural roots branch from Jamestown, Plimoth, William Penn’s Quaker Colony, and the Algonquian tribes of Virginia.  Skara Brae Homestead is a way to honor our families’ histories and add new chapters to the book.

Farmer Stephen

Born in Kansas, Stephen grew up in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas before joining the US Marine Corps and then the US Navy, which brought him to Virginia.  He spent vacations on the family farm in Kansas, which was acquired through the Homestead Act in the 1800s.

Farmer Sarah

Sarah hails from the Delaware Water Gap area of northwest New Jersey.  She attended Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia, and stayed in the commonwealth after graduation.  In addition to farming, Sarah is a journalist and photographer for several agricultural journals.

Driven by the onset of an autoimmune disease, Sarah's need for organic, nutrient-dense food became paramount. This personal health journey, coupled with their commitment to providing reliable and affordable food, led to the establishment of Skara Brae Homestead.