The 2020 growing season is underway out here at Crescere Farm in beautiful Rochelle, Virginia. While the wider world must stay at home to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, farming remains, as it should, an essential business. Crescere sustainable farming operation amidst Covid-19 has remained an essential business. We are fortunate to have the space to work socially distanced and have adopted additional protocols to keep our staff and their families safe and healthy. Luckily these measures seem to be effective thus far with seedlings growing in the greenhouse and transplanting to fields coming soon.
Extra care has been taken to make sure our organic raised beds on our sister property, Edgewood Miller Farm, have been planted to capacity to supply vegetables for family, friends and local sale during this time when visiting the local market has become something to avoid. A wide array of organically grown squash, melons, pumpkins, and Indian corn are on the docket for Crescere Farm along with a multitude of flowers. In sustainable farming fashion, we plan for beneficial insects and plant gorgeous sunflowers to support the local bee population. We have several beehives on Crescere and harvest our own local honey.
Flowers such as marigolds and zinnias are the perfect companion crops for our hemp cultivation since they keep harmful insects away from the crop. In early May we will be starting our CBD and CBG hemp seeds in the greenhouse too! We are so excited to begin R&D with three new varieties of CBD this year, plus a strain of CBG which will be processed by our extraction partners at Benchmark Nutriceuticals.
Another dream for us, taking on the challenge of growing industrial hemp seed for fiber use, was almost dashed due to Covid-19 related supply chain issues. Thankfully due to the wonderful spirit of collaboration in the hemp industry, we just found a new source for certified seed. A new partnership arising out of the chaos – at Crescere we’re always keeping a sharp eye out for the silver lining.
As part of our sustainable land management plan, we are currently expanding our herd of gorgeous heifers and calves. Belted Galloways dot the meadows and our newest addition was born on March 19th. Both mother and baby are doing well!
Learning how food is grown as well as environmental impact is essential to the mission of Crescere Farm. We firmly believe in the power of education and hope to share our experience with you not only if you are a guest on our farm but also virtually! For now, please join us online and stay healthy everyone!!
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Landscape Photography by Bill Mauzy
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