We have been making our living farming in Sperryville since 2000. Our farm uses ecological methods, building the soil using only organic inputs and no pesticides.
We currently have spinach for sale at our self-serve stand in the green barn. The barn is in the midst of a renovation, with two new walk-in coolers being installed later this Spring, but the glass cooler is still accessible!
Interested in an on-farm CSA share of weekly fresh vegetables from the farm, June 1 to October 6? Check out our CSA page for more information. You can now sign up online!
We will be hosting the 23rd annual Rappahannock Plant Sale on May 6th, from 9-2, this year. Our online store for weekly plant orders will be open in mid-April as plants become available, and we will return to our markets mid-April.
WE ARE HIRING FOR 2023!
We are looking for positive people with some outdoor work experience for our seasonal farm internships, from April 3rd to November 20th. Interns learn about our successful seasonal farming operation, now in our 24th year, by participating in all aspects of producing and marketing our plants & vegetables for farmer’s markets and CSA shares. The season starts with mostly greenhouse work and caring for perennial areas, and quickly moves to planting, harvesting, and marketing. Our soil-building growing methods are ecologically based, and we use only organic inputs and no pesticides in our fields. Pay starts at $2,000/month plus free housing on the farm, plus fresh vegetables in season. For more information and an application contact us at waterpennyfarm@gmail.com.
Rachel and Eric at market in Takoma Park
We grow everything we sell. Ecologically grown, and pesticide free.
A typical spread of our freshly harvested produce for sale in our open-air green barn, 1/4 mile up Waterpenny Lane.
Our farm stand is closed for January; we anticipate opening mid-February.
To shop in season for our freshly harvested produce on the farm, come up Waterpenny Lane to the green barn. Pull into the covered area, and find the bulletin board listing items for sale. The glass cooler is stocked with greens and more perishable items, and others will be on tables in the barn; prices are posted. We harvest for market and local customers and make fresh, seasonal flower bunches on Fridays. The change box and a locked box for payment are secured to the counter. We take cash, checks, or VENMO for payment. We operate on an honor system. All are welcome; you don’t need to be a CSA shareholder to shop.
Follow us on Instagram and facebook for the latest photos from the farm.
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We are proud that our CSA provides vegetables to our low income neighbors through a share program in partnership with the Rappahannock Food Pantry!
Or wonderful shareholders and customers are donors to the program, which directly funds reduced price farm shares for our community in need. We also regularly donate our extras to the Pantry.
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Farming works in Rappahannock County!
We have found success by growing using ecological methods to produce the best quality, most nutritious produce possible, and dircct marketing to customers at DC area Farmer’s Markets and on the farm. Read an informative article from the Rappahannock News about our farm’s history here. It was written in September 2020 by local writer Daphne Hutchinson marking our 20th year making our living farming in Sperryville.
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Homegrown videos:
Here is a video Farm Tour in Dominoes our sons made, with Eric playing the banjo!
Here is another video of a song commemorating our 20 year anniversary, telling the story of our farm. “Twenty Years, Still Here”
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Watepenny Soils Film Feature
December, 2016
Here is a link to the short film “Starting with the Soil at Waterpenny Farm” It features Rachel talking about our approach to farming and caring for the soil. It also tells some of our farm’s history and our business philosophy. It was made made at Waterpenny Farm in June 2016 by Elinor Goodrich and Aaron Port, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Virginia Cooperative Extension
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We’ve gone Solar!
April 24, 2013
In Spring 2012, we had a bank of 24 solar panels installed on our pole barn. 12 of these panels produce enough electricity for all or our farm use, so now our coolers, greenhouse and barn lighting are all solar powered! This portion was partially funded through a USDA grant. The other half are a personal investment, and produce roughly 1/3 of our home use electricity. We’re excited about this new step in sustainability. In just a year, we’ve saved over 12 tons of Carbon Dioxide from going into our environment, and saved money on our power bills as well. The investment should pay for itself in 10 years.
