Organic Farming VA

Pioneers of Organic Farming in Virginia

Virginia is at the forefront of the return to organic farming.  Long before it became a hot topic of study, several Virginia farmers were developing better ways to produce food organically.  Some have been so successful that people come from all over the world to learn organic farming VA techniques.

Ayrshire Farm

Ayrshire Farm is one of those places that made organic farming VA famous.  Ayrshire specializes in organic farming with horses and in organic animal husbandry.  They work with older, genetically viable breeds of animals and with heirloom (non-hybridized) plant varieties to preserve them.  The farm is self-sufficient and sustainable.

Urban children can come to Ayrshire Farm to learn about farming and country living and participate in 4H projects.  Ayrshire Farm also has an international internship program to teach people how to farm organically, and especially how to farm with horses. 

Seven Springs Farm

Another example of a place that made organic farming VA famous is Seven Springs Farm.  Seven Springs is an organic farm and has a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) garden which feeds about 90 families.  Seven Springs teaches apprentices principles of organic farming, how to run a community supported garden and homesteading skills.

Polyface Farm

Polyface Farm is owned and operated by Joel Salatin.  He has spent decades developing a system or rotating animals over pastureland to maximize the health of the grass.  Healthy grass is the key to healthy animals.  He farms completely organically without any pesticides or fertilizers. 

Apprentices come to Polyface Farm to learn Salatin’s methods of organic animal husbandry, and to listen to Salatin’s views about sustainable agriculture.  He is an outspoken opponent of commercial farming and believes that sustainable farming is the answer to the world food crisis.

These are just three of the many organic farms in Virginia.  All three farms are working farms, and are developing improved methods of sustainable farming.  All three welcome interns, and are willing to teach their methods to other people. 

Virginia is becoming a center for sustainable organic farming.  The products and methods used in Virginia help people all over the world to grow healthy food while protecting the environment.

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