 ABOUT US |
The Virginia Green Grocer is a certified organic farmer who produces a wide variety of vegetables and herbs year-round. The species are selected for flavor, scent, color, and productivity in the Virginia piedmont climate. Fusing traditional organic methods with modern "green" technology enables us to have the best of both worlds by enhancing bio-sustainable agricultural practices and providing a model applicable to the small family. By producing locally here in northern Virginia, we cut out the energy and time expense of transportation from places like California or Mexico. That means that with the exception of a few items like potatoes and carrots which store well, we harvest, pack and deliver vegetables to your door within 48 hours. Farm vehicles and personal cars operate on bio-diesel produced from organic Virginia soybeans. Our greenhouse is heated with scrap wood. We use drip irrigation, which incorporates a complex water recycling system including rainwater collection (among other "clean" collection sources), filtration and ozonation. Our 6500 square foot greenhouse plays host to an abundance of wintertime activities, ensuring continuous productivity throughout the year.Virginia Organic Cooperative The Virginia Organic Cooperative was developed to provide a much needed, local resource for fellow farmers, gardeners and enthusiasts. Our first year on the farm, 2005 was spent transforming acres of barren rocky Virginia red clay into fluffy, nutrient-rich, healthy and well-balanced soil. Our rock pile stands as a monument to the back-breaking work it takes to farm vegetables in the Piedmont. In 2007, we applied for and received our organic certification from Oregon Tilth. We participated in 2 local organic CSA's. We made many new friends, all of whom contributed, in their own way, to our success. In 2008, we began our very own CSA, the Virginia Organic Cooperative in May and ran a 20 week course through October. We also sold many shares of the winter CSA which runs November through December. A small herd of grass-fed Jerseys is growing, and will be followed by a sizeable flock of pastured, free-range chickens. Get everything you eat from Fauquier! Dairy, eggs and even meat products will be available soon. And most importantly they will be the healthiest products you can buy. To all our friends, far and near, we thank you for your well wishes and endless support. As always, our door is open and we invite you to come by, share a story or two and stay awhile. In addition to being local and organic, our goal with our dairy and egg production is to maximize the vitamins and minerals and omega-3 fatty acids in our foods. Chickens and cows need green grass and sunshine to achieve the highest nutrition in their eggs and milk. We minimize the grains we feed to our animals, which means they eat more grass and hay. Grass and hay are less energy dense than grain thus their bulk conveys many more minerals. Jerseys produce more than 5 times more mineral solids in their milk than the more common Holstein. Our chickens stop eating their grain supplements in the summer when the bugs and grass provide them everything they need. Our eggs are a different color than even the most expensive cage free eggs you can buy in the market due to the difference in diet.
Certifications
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Certified Organic by 
USDA Organic