Is the farm certified organic?
Though we use the methods of organic farming and sustainable agriculture, we have not been through a process of certification. Our farm is based upon the health of our soil and personal contact with our customers.
What is “sustainable agriculture”?
Sustainable agriculture is based upon the age old value of good stewardship of land and water for future generations. The land is revered as a renewable resource rather than viewed as a short term commodity. Fertility of the land is improved by the farmer working in harmony with nature and natural cycles rather than depleted and amended with monocropping, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Typically, sustainable farms are small, family farms whose chief input is labor, with a diverse crop/animal mix, serving local markets and employing local people. Sustainable farming techniques include minimal tillage, composting, crop rotation, use of cover crops and biological mulches for weed suppression and soil amendment, and use of row covers, careful timing and biological controls for pest control. Sustainable agriculture reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, contributes to the local economy and provides people with healthy food and a tangible connection to the land.
How do you decide what to grow?
We are always on the lookout for crops that are delicious, that do well in this area, that are versatile and useful from sprout to seed, and that are not commonly available on a mass scale, both annuals and perennials. In addition to those which have proven their worth over the years, we are constantly trying new varieties. We seek out smaller international, heirloom and specialty seed houses, we take a lot of suggestions from our chef customers and fellow growers, and every day we are in the kitchen, tasting!
Do you have a certified farm kitchen?
Yes. Our home kitchen was recently certified by VDACS. We use it to prepare baked goods, pestos, oven dried tomatoes and more for our market and co-op customers.
Where can I find your farm products once the farmers’ markets season is over?
Ellwood Thompson, Joe’s Market and Feast all carry a selection of our produce. We are also part of the online Farm-to-Family co-op, Fall Line Farms. There are several pick up sites across the Richmond area. Here is a full list of restaurants and other places to find our produce.
Can I bring the family out for a farm visit?
As an extremely busy farm, we do not currently have regular hours when we are open to the public. We do host educational groups as time allows, and we also host several family friendly events throughout the year.
Do you have an internship program?
We typically have an intern or two on the farm each season and are very interested in "growing farmers". Our workers and interns, many of whom are recent college graduates, have gone on to a variety of agriculture and food related pursuits, including starting their own small farms, CSA's, community gardens and non-profits. While we have no formal internship program, we have had success tailoring internships to match the needs of the farm with the interests of the interns. Application available upon request.
Where does the name “Manakintowne” come from?
We began farming when we lived at Monacan farm in Powhatan County, which is on the abandoned site of a large settlement of Monacan Indians. The name Manakintowne was given to this area by French Huguenot settlers around 1700. In time, the name Manakin migrated north across the James River to Goochland, when Manakin (Powhatan) was connected to Sabot (Goochland) by the Manakintowne Ferry. Manakin and Sabot shared a post office on the north side of the river. Today, the ferry is long gone. The Manakin-Sabot name remains in Goochland, and Monacan Farm, Manakin Episcopal Church, Manakintowne Ferry Road and the headquarters of the Huguenot Society of America lie adjacent to Huguenot Trail in Powhatan County, a Virginia Scenic Byway. We began farming in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Powhatan in 1989, taking the name Manakintowne with us.
