(Photo courtesy of Black Boar Farm)
Black Boar Farm: Essex County, blackboarfarm.com or 202-387-5462
History: Owners Lois Lobo and Dennis Sadler met in an Argentine tango class, and the pair moved in another way when they set out to raise responsibly sourced, non-GMO pigs. What started as four hogs quickly grew as Lois and Dennis became more invested in their small farm and saw a market for naturally raised meat.
Production Methods: Lois and Dennis are the farm’s sole employees, and they raise their Berkshire- and Ossabaw Island-breed hogs humanely and naturally with a diet of non-GMO open-pollinated corn, minerals, wheat, barley, oats, hay and pesticide-free produce. They also grow non-GMO produce, raise chickens and tend a bee colony.
Specialties: The farm offers a range of products beyond the marbleized meat for which it’s known. Lois makes honey, honey candy, candles, wood polish and leather conditioner. From the farm’s produce, they create salsas, jams and relishes.
Where to find in RVA: Find Black Boar Farm’s products year-round at South of the James Market, and in the winter at The Farmers Market at St. Stephen’s. Lois also has an Etsy shop, LoisLobo, where her handcrafted goods can be purchased.
