Back to farm profile
Farm Happenings at Broadfork Farm
Farm Happenings for September 2, 2020
We're looking at Sept 1 and still feeling discombobulated from the lack of so many normal markers of summer. Even though as farmers we definitely don't call Sept 1 the end of summer (so much delicious summer harvest happens in September! so much summer heat still ahead of us!), we still feel odd th1 read more »
Farm Happenings for August 29, 2020
**Hurricane Laura: If Saturday is a washout with dangerous flooding potential, anyone can pick up their share at the farm on Sunday or Monday if you notify us of your plan. We'll update Friday p.m. if conditions look ominous.**
We're staring down at the end of August and still feeling discombobulat1 read more »
Farm Happenings for August 26, 2020
Happy Monday! A lot of folks were on a vacation week from their Farm Shares last week, so we'll repeat some updates here:
As part of our self-imposed obligation to advocate on a federal level for Organic farming, we were delighted to host our Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) for1 read more »
Farm Happenings for August 22, 2020
It's been such a week we're not even sure where to start. The rain is an obvious candidate but it's bad news in that department, so let's start with good news. The clouds parted for a while last Thursday to allow our Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) to visit and tour our farm for two hours!1 read more »
Farm Happenings for August 19, 2020
It's been such a week we're not even sure where to start. The rain is an obvious candidate but it's bad news in that department, so let's start with good news. The clouds parted for a while last Thursday to allow our Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) to visit and tour our farm for two hours!1 read more »
Farm Happenings for August 15, 2020
Ten days ago we were preparing for potential flooding and damage from Isaias, but the storm was relatively gentle on us. Isaias brought 4 more inches of rain on our farm, filling the pond we use to irrigate (a kind neighbor allows us to use it when it is abundant enough!) and not destroying an1 read more »
Farm Happenings for August 12, 2020
A week ago we were preparing for potential flooding and damage from Isaias, but the storm was relatively gentle on us. Isaias brought 4 more inches of rain on our farm, filling the pond we use to irrigate (a kind neighbor allows us to use it when it is abundant enough!) and not destroying any plant1 read more »
Farm Happenings for August 8, 2020
What a difference a week makes! A week ago exactly we were in a drought and begging for rain. Then it rained a half-inch four days in a row followed by Isaias which was gentle on us. The storm brought 4 more inches of rain on our farm, filling the pond we use to irrigate (a kind neighbor allo1 read more »
Farm Happenings for August 5, 2020
What a difference a week makes! A week ago we were begging for rain. Now it has rained significantly each of the past four days and we are preparing for up to 6 inches of destructive rain tomorrow. We are harvesting all of your vegetables today as tomorrow will be a day we need to hunker down and w1 read more »
About the farm
Owned and operated by Janet Aardema and Dan Gagnon, Broadfork is a small family farm in Chesterfield, VA providing the metro-Richmond area with Certified Naturally Grown vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
We use traditional European methods of biointensive, raised bed production while maximizing soil and plant health for nutrition and sustainability. No synthetic/chemical fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide is ever used in any part of the process of growing your food. Everything we sell is grown by us, and we farm full-time, supporting ourselves and our four children through our farm business.
Growing practices at Broadfork utilize only ecological methods: compost, cover crops, organic fertilizer, and minerals are used to feed the soil that feeds our plants. Raised beds are used to prevent soil-compaction, allowing for happier plant roots. We use organic potting soil and fertilizer, as well as amendments like fish emulsion and sea minerals. No chemical fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides are ever used on your food and we are Certified Naturally Grown (which follows the same national standards used for Organic Certification). We are also proud members of the Virginia Association for Biological Farming and Slow Food RVA. Janet and Dan both hold Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology from Davidson and Lafayette Colleges, respectively. Janet holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We both thrive on putting our biology backgrounds to use in a farm setting and share a passion for farm education.
Go to farm profile
We use traditional European methods of biointensive, raised bed production while maximizing soil and plant health for nutrition and sustainability. No synthetic/chemical fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, or fungicide is ever used in any part of the process of growing your food. Everything we sell is grown by us, and we farm full-time, supporting ourselves and our four children through our farm business.
Growing practices at Broadfork utilize only ecological methods: compost, cover crops, organic fertilizer, and minerals are used to feed the soil that feeds our plants. Raised beds are used to prevent soil-compaction, allowing for happier plant roots. We use organic potting soil and fertilizer, as well as amendments like fish emulsion and sea minerals. No chemical fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides are ever used on your food and we are Certified Naturally Grown (which follows the same national standards used for Organic Certification). We are also proud members of the Virginia Association for Biological Farming and Slow Food RVA. Janet and Dan both hold Bachelor’s Degrees in Biology from Davidson and Lafayette Colleges, respectively. Janet holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. We both thrive on putting our biology backgrounds to use in a farm setting and share a passion for farm education.