Uptop was formed during the 1980s as an intentional community of like-minded artists, scientists, educators, and nature-loving individuals. Today, it provides a retreat in the mountains of West Virginia for more than 20 families and friends.

““Those must be the hippies who bought the old Washington Lantz farm down Salt Lick,” she said. “It’s just a couple of miles past your place. They have Tennesse plates. People are talking about them. That long hair. Hey,” she looked at me “maybe you can make friends.””
— Nancy L. Abrams "The Climb from Salt Lick" a Memoir of Appalachia

What We've accomplished - 2019

  • New Web site under development

  • New stairs connecting house and Big Kitchen- many contributors, many helpers put it together during July Shareholders meeting with artisanal design by Tim O’Hagan

  • New smoker and grill- donated by Nancy and Stan

  • New lawn mower- funded by Adler/Marder, Davis, Abrams/Einzig, O’Hagan

  • New Stihl weed eater with blade for taking down brush - funded by Davis, training required

  • Barn complex improvements - Mike Erickson lead - new fire pit, cleared areas around all equipment, walkways around all buildings

  • Development of celestial dial - highest point in upper meadow - Mike Patton and Mike Erickson led efforts

  • Lower spring box cover - funded and developed by Frank Yensan and recently completed

  • New plantings, new arbor, led by Laura and Dave, multiple plantings around arbor, 50 grapes along trellis, 100 narcissus planted along old farm road beds funded by Patty Fabian, next years wine grapes- 25 Marquet and 25 Frontenac Gris are on order (funded by Frank Yensan) along with 8 Elderberries Two new Mike Patton sculptures, reaching for the sky

  • Two new American chestnut saplings planted by Dave and funded by Michael P.

  • New shelving in house for all to use when Uptop

  • Over 60 bottles of Uptop Apple wine made by Dave D. And enjoyed by many with 60 more in development for 2020 consumption

  • Priming of Blue Whale sculpture Uptop by Mike Erickson

  • Multiple areas of main bowl cleared for agricultural and gardening purposes, field of buckwheat and clover planted, many contributing to efforts