Learn about the farming methods practiced by various organic and sustainable farmers in Virginia by participating in the 2012 Farms Tour sponsored by Virginia Association for Biological Farming. The VABF Farms Tour is designed to be beneficial for farmers, aspiring farmers, interested landowners, educators and professionals, and anyone interested in working in organic or sustainable agriculture. Each tour will focus on a specific farm topic (or topics) as well as provide a farming system overview of that farm.
Admission to each tour is free for VABF members (Attendees can join VABF at any farm tour site.) and $20.00 for non-members. All proceeds go to VABF. Several of the tours have already been scheduled:
Tour 1 - Matttawoman Creek Farms, Eastville, VA
Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Topics – Winter vegetable production in unheated greenhouse and tunnel structures – Mechanical cultivation of vegetable crops on permanent raised beds. Mattawoman Creek Farms, located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, is a 44 acre vegetable, herb and fruit farm that is USDA certified organic. The farm is owned and operated by Rick and Janice Felker.
Tour 2 – All-Farm Organics, Louisa, VA
Sunday, June 10, 2012 from 2:30 – 5:00
Topics – Commercial-scale composting and Organic grain production
William Hale has 20 years experience growing organic grains and for the past several years has been growing USDA certified organic cover crop and popcorn seed. He also has a commercial composting operation on his farm.
Tour 3 - Dayspring Farm, Cologne, VA
Late July to Early August, 2012 (Exact date and time to be determined.)
Topic – Summer high tunnel production
Charlie and Miriam Maloney own and operate Dayspring Farm in King and Queen County. The farm operates based on the principles of good ecological sustainable agriculture. Dayspring Farm has a CSA that is beginning its 27th year. The farm and its owners are a frequent resource for farm education.
Tour 4 - Blenheim Organic Gardens, Washington’s Birthplace, VA
Sunday, October 7, 2012 from 1:30 – 4:00
Topic – Fall season vegetable production
Blenheim Organic Gardens is a 20 acre certified organic farm on Virginia’s Northern Neck in Westmoreland County.
