“We believe the well-being of our cattle contributes to their overall health, and in turn, yours,” reads the front of the pamphlet for Chapman Farms, located in Bealeton. The sentence summarizes the values that guide Claudius Edwin “Claude” Chapman Jr. and Carla Jean Carmona-Chapman’s work. These are values that have been lived and taught through four generations of Chapman family farmers.
Working Farms & Food
Farmland and forests produce the necessities of life and provide essential natural services. In PEC’s nine county area, over 180,000 acres of farmland and 140,000 acres of forests are protected through private, voluntary land conservation.
Carver Food Enterprise Center – Community Value Added
Carver Kitchen is every aspiring food entrepreneur’s dream. Caterers, food trucks, sauce-makers, and bakers who have outgrown cottage food law now have an affordable way to scale up in an inspected facility.
Deep Roots Milling
The men behind Deep Roots Milling —Charlie Wade, Aaron Grigsby, and Ian Gamble — are as genuine as they are diverse. Each brings complementary skillsets to their partnership, yet they are equally dedicated to sourcing local grains, providing nutrient-dense products, and helping us all create high quality food (think buckwheat pancakes, tortillas, breads, cookies, granola, and more!). They are currently set up to process wheat, corn, rye, buckwheat, spelt, and rolled oats.
FARMacy Cafe & Food Truck is Mexican Fusion at its Finest
Mexican fusion is a perfect way to describe FARMacy Cafe and Food Truck. Fusion is simply a term used when a cuisine combines elements of different culinary traditions. Thanks to Jessica and Gabino Lino, we can enjoy the delicious combination of his Mexican roots and her holistic nutrition roots, both of which appear throughout their creative offerings.
Forrest Green Farm cultivates healthy food, healthy land and healthy people
Krista and Rob Rahm have owned and operated Forrest Green Farm since 1992. The 423-acre farm in Louisa County is a marvel to visit, with its spectacular views of the Blue Ridge and diverse offerings of farm-raised meat, poultry, dairy, herbs and produce, as well as other locally grown products. It also offers visitors the opportunity to see a model for regenerative farming practices that have restored soils while enhancing the land’s beauty.
Fireside Farm: From Harvest to Hearth
For Stacey Carlberg and Casey Gustowarow, good food is more than just a meal. It’s a gateway to building community, experimenting in the kitchen and creating healthy soil that nurtures fresh produce.
Farmed with Care at Long Stone
A quick browse on Long Stone’s website will tell you this farm is “owned and farmed with care” by Casey and Justin Wisch and their four young children. Although a simple phrase, the magnitude of that care is apparent after just a short conversation with these farmers who produce non-GMO pastured pork, beef, chicken and eggs on over 300 acres in Lovettsville.
Land Beer, Loudoun Grown
Bonny and John Branding, co-founders of Wheatland Spring Farm and Brewery, pride themselves on making beer that reflects the distinct agricultural region of Virginia’s Piedmont — a concept they call “land beer.”
More Than Vegetables at the Community Farm
When a PEC staff member recently posed the question “what does the farm mean to people beyond just donating to food pantries?” I remembered my first farming experience, when I discovered that farms are so much more than the food they grow.
2024 Highlights: By the Numbers
PEC’s dedicated staff work relentlessly to advance land conservation, sound land use planning, the protection of natural resources and better climate and energy policy.