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Photo courtesy of Casselmonte Farms
Casselmonte Farm (804) 598-2457 or casselmontefarm.com
Location: Powhatan County
History: In 2006, Bill and India Cox purchased 122 acres of an original 900-acre plot that the Jeter family had owned since 1848. In 2009, they began their market garden; today, they have six acres under organic cultivation. "In 2008, our farm soil was categorized as ‘sandy loam eroded.' Emphasis on ‘eroded,' " says Bill. "We believed the best way to bring life back into the soil was through organic methods." In 2012, all of their products were certified USDA organic.
Specialty: Heirloom tomatoes, ginger, forest-grown shiitake mushrooms, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, Crenshaw melons and asparagus
Production Methods: The farm is dedicated to organic practices including crop rotation, cover crops and organic compost to improve the soil and reduce plant diseases. The Coxes also create habitats for beneficial insects and wildlife.
Future Plans: As they eye the future, the couple is focused on expanding the scale of the farm. They will continue to explore and evaluate, whether it's adding to a particular crop (i.e., increasing asparagus acreage) or trying something they haven't grown before.
Where to Get It in RVA: Center for Rural Culture's Local Roots Food Co-op, Fall Line Farms, Powhatan Farmers Market, South of the James Market
