Pine Fork Farm

Pine Fork Farm, located in Quinton, VA, was started by Teal Brooks in the spring of 2012. Teal, passionate about gardening and food from an early age, gained hands-on farming experience since 2005, working on various farms in Virginia and Washington state. She holds a degree in Sustainable Agriculture from The Evergreen State College. Gus Brucker, a part-time farmer and resident mycologist, is responsible for all fungal life on the farm and holds a BS from Longwood University in Farmville, VA. The farm has been known for its chemical-free produce, available at farmers markets in Richmond, VA, and through its CSA program.

Pine Fork Farm employs a range of sustainable farming practices. They grow produce without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, instead using compost, cover cropping, and natural fertilizers to enrich the soil. Pests and weeds are managed through mulches, row cover, and hand weeding. The farm plants no GMO crops, and their chickens are fed GMO-free feed. Although not Certified Organic, all soil amendments and pest management practices are USDA-approved for organic production. The farm also plants flowers and herbs to attract beneficial insects and support pollinators like honey bees.

Pine Fork Farm's produce is available at the South of the James and Carytown farmers markets in Richmond, VA, and through their CSA program. They have a history of attending the Virginia Association for Biological Farming conference, which helps them stay connected with other sustainable farmers and gain new insights for their farming practices. Despite the challenges of weather and labor-intensive methods, the farm remains dedicated to producing healthy, delicious food in an environmentally responsible manner.