Sunset View Farm Brings More Than Produce to the Market

Sunset View Farm is a labor of love for owners Richard and Linda Settle. The Settles are one of over 10 vendors featured at the Annandale Farmers Market every Thursday. Their booth offers a variety fresh produce, including cherries, pears, peaches, green beans, and more. Sunset View may be a small farm, but they offer more to their customers than just fruits and vegetables.

Richard Settle, a self-proclaimed “simple old country guy,” inherited his farm about 30 years ago, and has been at Annandale Farmers Market for 15 years. “I feel like we have made a lot of friends through the market. I even had some people from the market come to my wedding, even though it was 95 miles away,” Settle said.

The friendships that he forms with his customers are very important to Settle. “I enjoy having friendships with my customers. I see a customer every once and a while that I’ve known for 30 years through the markets. I see their families grow. I see the children become parents and even grandparents.”

The name Sunset View was inspired in part by Settle’s wife, Linda. “My wife is from Louisiana, and she really made me aware of how pretty the country is here in Virginia. We can see the sunset from our property, and that’s how we came up with our name.” Settle said. The farm is in Reva, Virginia, which is located close to Shenandoah National Park.

Having a small farm is something that Settle really takes pride in, and he has no intention of expanding further. “A lot of people get in over their heads if they try to do too much. It’s important to slow down and stay comfortable. Enjoy yourself. Life is too short for all of that stress.” Settle said. “I really enjoy doing what I’m doing. It’s a good life, and it’s very rewarding.”

Settle’s regular customers enjoy having him at the market as much as, if not more, than Settle enjoys being there. Many of his regulars greet him with a hug, including Lisa Dolan, who Settle has nicknamed “Pear Lisa.”

“I got some pears in France and fell in love, but I couldn’t find them anywhere when I got back to the States,” Dolan said. “Five or six years ago, I told Richard about them and he knew exactly what I was looking for, and he had them. Now, I’m hooked on his Magnus pears.”

Dolan feels that Settle brings produce to the market that other vendors do not offer. “I can’t find Damson plums at any other vendor’s booth,” Dolan said.

Judy Johnson, another regular of Settle’s, is a fan of his peaches. “They’re the best peaches in the world,” said Johnson.

Settle always makes sure that his younger customers are treated with respect, and always tries to give children a good deal. “Young kids are future customers, and you’ve got to take care of them,” Settle said.

Customers certainly don’t miss Settle’s desire to take care of his customers. “The Settles are very friendly, and they want to make everybody happy,” Dolan said.

Sunset View Farm is a small farm with a lot of heart, and they can be reached for special orders at richardhsettle@yahoo.com.