FACSAP growers operate under the guidelines established by the Certified Naturally Grown™ organization. This program follows the standards set by the USDA National Organic Program. Certified Naturally Grown™ farmers must demonstrate a desire to work within the natural biological cycles that are necessary for a truly sustainable farming system-- a system that works in harmony with microorganisms, soil flora and fauna, and plants and animals--leaving the soil even more vibrant and alive for the next generation of farmers and to produce food without the addition of synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, or genetically modified organisms.

Find out more about Certified Naturally Grown™ at their website: www.naturallygrown.org

Summerbeam, in King George County, is one of the founding FACSAP farms. The garden continues to evolve and grow, with the support of the Elizabeth and Mark Eitt, and under the management of Heidi Lewis. A variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers are cultivated bio-intensively on approximately one acre of land. A variety of natural handmade soaps are also produced during the growing season.

Rock Run Creek Farm is family owned and operated by Carol and Francis Ngoh. The farm started out as a means of providing food for the Ngoh family, which includes four growing boys. The Ngohs are firm believers in sustainable agriculture and grow according to organic standards, which include composting and use of manure from their livestock. Although their main product is the Shiitake mushroom, the Ngohs also provide a variety of vegetables which include: leeks, squash, peppers, cucumbers, garlic, tomatoes, lettuce greens, and herbs. They look forward to the new season and hope that Mother Nature provides the much needed rain.

Canning Farm is a family farm in Dogue, 25 miles east of Fredericksburg, in King George County. Grain, cattle, and timber are grown here, with several acres devoted to the cultivation of vegetables for the CSA. Farmers, Miles Hastings (whose family has been farming at Canning for generations) and Tommy Guynn, feed the soil with cover crops and compost from their own animals. They depend on crop rotation, cultivation, and mulches for weed control. Insects are kept in check by natural predators, physical barriers, and judicious use of botanical insecticides. In addition to vegetables, Canning Farm will continue to produce natural beef which will be available for sale to our CSA members on a regular basis. This year, natural pork and chicken will also be available.

Green Thumb Growers is an organically managed urban garden in downtown Fredericksburg. Tom Miller brings three years of CSA growing experience. We hope that the climate on the ‘Island’ brings a bounty in the niche market for bok choi, kohlrabi, potatoes, bulb fennel, carrots, and winter squash.

Virginia Green Grocer, located in Warrenton, VA, is a certified organic farm which produces highly diverse fruits, vegetables, and herbs year-round. Many are rare and/or heirloom varieties, selected first and foremost for superior flavor and quality. Vigor, historical relevance, disease resistance and productivity also influence our selection process.

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 both the small family farm and industrial operations. Farm vehicles and personal cars are bio-diesel-capable, as is the greenhouse. We use a drip irrigation system, which incorporates a complex water recycling system including rainwater collection (among other “clean” collection sources), double filtration and ozonation. The farm is hoping to add eggs from organic, free-range chickens to the production list by late this year. An organic, grass-fed dairy is also on the horizon.