We’re Keen on Keenbell Farm
Keenbell Farm has been around for decades, ebbing and flowing with the agricultural climate. The farm is located in Hanover, Virginia (just 15 minutes from Short Pump!) In 2006, CJ Isbell decided to revamp the farm that his grandparents had founded in the 50s. CJ, along with his father, and other family members, knew that they didn’t want to practice conventional farming, but they saw flaws with traditional organic farming too. After conferring with a group of organic farmers up north, who don’t over-till their land, CJ felt confident that he could adapt their growing practices to Virginia’s climate. Keenbell Farm doesn’t use synthetic fertilizers and spraying is a very last resort (but if they do spray, they market the product as conventionally grown and not organic). CJ has found that by boosting a soil’s natural biology through the use of cover crops, he can virtually eliminate the need for herbicides. CJ’s research didn’t stop there, he also heavily researched the benefits of grass-fed meats, something that no-one in his region was practicing at the time. Keenbell Farm re-started operations with no-till organic practices, grass-fed pasture raised meats, and an eye on science to continually evolve their practices.
Today, Keenbell is home to around 90 cattle, 60 pigs, 1500 broiler chickens, 850 laying hens, and for this first time this season – turkeys! Keenbell respects and values the members of their community, and listen to what they want. For Keenbell, quality and integrity are first and foremost. CJ said that when you think of “free range” that’s exactly what you’re getting from him. Plus, Keenbell’s animals are born and raised right on the farm. This way, he can honestly tell you how a cow has been treated and fed its whole life. CJ lets his cows graze on new pasture every day. To facilitate this, he has planted several types of grass varieties to have it available year round. As a result, Keenbell only has to rely on hay to supplement the herd’s diet less than 30 days each year. Most farmers in his area are feeding hay around 120 days each year. Not only is fresh grass better for the cows, but its better for the environment. Less hay means that the farm is using less petroleum since it takes fuel to use the tractor to harvest hay. Instead, at Keenbell, CJ says that they are “grass farmers who use the animals to manage the land.”
Not only does Keenbell take pride in their animals, but they’re also growing non-GMO grains. CJ said that 5 years ago, he couldn’t find non-gmo grains anywhere, so they started growing it themselves to feed their herds. The family didn’t stop there though, they started growing food grade grain too, because for Keenbell Farm, they take the responsibility of feeding people seriously. CJ knows that how and what they grow directly impacts how someone feeds their family. CJ is growing two heirloom wheats and popcorn! He’s even been working with Sub Rosa Bakery for testing purposes. Eventually Keenbell would love to be able to sell wheat directly to people so that they can mill their own flour at home.
Keenbell has started Farm Store Fridays. Every Friday, from 11am-7pm, locals can stop by the farm to pick up meat and eggs – they don’t even have to make an appointment. Plus Keenbell has been known to hold field days. On these days, the farm store is open, there are wagon rides, tours of the farm and more! Plus, if you come hungry, Keenbell sells local meals of pulled chicken and pork barbecue, homemade potato chips and corn slaw. You can come see for yourself what all the fuss is about, and until then, we’ve had Keenbell chicken and eggs on the menu for convenient doorstep delivery!
