River Oak Farm

Located in historic Lowesville, VA, along the banks of the Piney River, the farm encompasses 75 acres of Appalachian terrain, including rich river bottomland, high meadows, and cove forests. The property dates back to 1846 and was once heavy in corn and tobacco. The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway, one of the shortest steam-powered rail lines in the country, once rolled through the property. The pastures and barns lay fallow for decades before being revitalized by Adam Aucoin and Cassy Kelly in 2013.

The farm employs intensive, rotational grazing methods to maximize soil health and provide animals with fresh ground daily. The cow herd is 100% grass-fed from birth, while broilers, turkeys, and free-ranging egg layers have 24-hour access to pasture, supplemented with non-GMO, locally milled grain. The farming style is labor-intensive, allowing for intimate observation of animal health and well-being. The farm's philosophy is to work with and for the land, disrupting natural rhythms as little as possible.

Products are available for purchase at the Nelson County Farmer's Market, wholesale, restaurant, and retail accounts, as well as directly on the farm. Visitors are welcome to tour the farm, meet the animals, and enjoy the views. Adam Aucoin has a background in Environmental Science with a concentration in Agriculture, and Cassy Kelly has a B.A. in Political Science and works as RelayFoods’ Senior Category Manager.