All About My CSA: Graceland Farm

Tomato field Originally uploaded by csafarmer

Graceland Farm is a 16-acre farm full of life: chickens, goats, donkeys, ducks, geese, dogs and cats.

1. The CSA features organic and sustainable farming methods.
2. The farm does not use synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or GMO's
3. They fertilize with composted animal manure and other OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) approved fertilizers.
4. They do not use “herbicides” and instead use mulch, mowing, hoeing, and hand-weeding to control weeds.
5. Drip irrigation is used to conserve water.
6. Much of the farm is “naturalized” to provide wildlife and beneficial insect habitats.

The farm delivers to the following locations in Northern Virginia:

Dale City, Manassas, Nokesville, Montclair, Vienna, Fairfax, Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria, Herndon, Chantilly and South Riding.

For $440 members receive 17 weeks worth of produce beginning on Mother's Day. This year a spring farm share was an option: 5 weeks of produce beginning on April 20th for $100. This year I signed up for both the spring and summer, and just like last year, I will be receiving a dozen eggs along with my farm share.

I chose to join Graceland Farm's CSA because the farm is located fairly close to my home in Manassas, I liked that it was a small operation, and I kind of knew the farmer. I first met farmer John Wright when I worked in the kitchen of the Manor House Restaurant at Poplar Springs Inn and Spa in Casanova, Virginia. Each week during that summer John would hand deliver a beautiful display of heirloom tomatoes to me, and he'd answer all my questions about their specific names and how they tasted.

When I joined the CSA last year, I wasn't sure if John would remember me. Sure enough, at his farm's spring open house, he took one look at me and asked how he knew me. He said he didn't recognize me without my chef whites.

Graceland Farm, 5308 Germantown Road, Midland, VA 22728

www.gracelandmidland.com