LCF Group Has Been Serving Floyd County and the Surrounding Region for Over 50 Years! Chantilly Farm Under New Ownership in 2021! By Vickie Holt
Originally from Oregon, David Larsen received a degree in Business and Technology in Electronics from Oregon State University. After working for a few years in the industry as an engineer, David became a teacher in electronic instrumentation at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia – a position from which he retired after thirty-one years in 1998. But it wasn’t all academics and electronics. During his tenure at Virginia Tech, David also assisted the Office of International Development. For many of those years, he worked with land and farming, starting up a Christmas tree farm and marketing organization. With his hands in the land as early as the mid-sixties, David was able to establish the Laurel Creek Farms corporation (LCF) in 1968. Named for the first area of land developed. David was later joined in the business by his wife, Gaynell. In February of 2002, they were also joined by Dee Wallace, who completed the three-person group. Originally from Nebraska, Dee came to Virginia in 1992 for college. Once working with LCF, she was also creator of Floyd Virginia Magazine! Wallace tells us the original idea was to have a publication that would help promote LCF. The Group develop real estate and sell it “by owner” with owner financing available, and their unique approach to development, sales, and leasing have helped the company remain sustainable. When approaching development, the LCF Group works with rural land and adds value without overdeveloping. Once the land and lots are developed, the Group sells the properties directly to the buyer. Their subdivided lots and large tracts have supplied space for housing of all types, small farmettes, and large-scale agriculture. LCF Group helps people find their dream lot or tract, even if it’s not
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a current offering of LCF. LCF also leases various properties, homes, and offices to meet the growing demand for places in Floyd, with vacancies posted online and to social media. Wallace says LCF has built its reputation by working directly with people. “Talk to anybody in Floyd County, and there will be a different thread that leads to LCF. Some still remember the Brookfield Christmas tree farm and the hayrides. Also, many have homes on land that was developed by LCF.” One of the best-known Floyd properties owned and developed by LCF is Chantilly Farm. Chantilly has served ten seasons as a premier events venue and camping destination. Now, this gorgeous twohundred acres is under new ownership and has been newly named, “Floyd Family Campground” (FFC). A company specializing in the development of campgrounds made the purchase and plans are in the works to expand the camping and glamping options. To help them move forward, the new owners have kept former Chantilly manager, Christian Cromer, on board as General Manager. In addition to being the son of LCF’s Dee Wallace, Cromer was around more than ten years ago when the first shovel broke ground on Chantilly Farm. “It’s good to have the background,” says Cromer, who is very much looking forward to how Floyd Family Campground will develop. After having spent most of his ten years in the office, he will finally have his boots on the ground, taking a more active part in the development. “There will be a heavy focus on lodging,” says Cromer, explaining that four of the Chantilly cabins have already been renovated and updated with AC units and kitchens. There are also plans for updating
Fall/Winter 2021-2022
