Planting It Forward.

Chickahominy Falls is proud to support area food banks through our partnership with Shalom Farms.

What an exciting year Woodside Farms is having at Chickahominy Falls. Farm development and construction officially began in the spring when we prepped the fields, installed a state-of-the-art irrigation system, built the hoop house, started construction on The Barn, and planted the first crops.
Now that first planting is proving just how rich the soil is here in Hanover County because Woodside Farms is already producing hundreds of pounds of fresh vegetables, including squash, mushrooms, and potatoes, as well as fresh flowers and assorted herbs.
We’re thrilled to see our hard work paying off, however because the community is still under construction and the farm is not completely fenced in, Woodside Farms is not yet certified to distribute produce. Which brings us to our friends at Shalom Farms, and the amazing work they do to support of our neighbors in need throughout greater Richmond.
Much of the produce currently growing at Woodside Farms is being donated to Shalom Farms so that they can distribute it to area food banks, churches and other outlets that provide children and families access to fresh, affordable, healthy food.

“We’re proud to partner with Shalom Farms,” said Roger Glover, Principal of The Crescent Group, developer of Chickahominy Falls. “Supporting health and wellness is a core value of Chickahominy Falls, so to be able to put hundreds of pounds of produce to good use even before our community is fully up and running, is very gratifying. We’re grateful for the work Shalom Farms is doing and their ability to get our produce to the people who need it most through their Mobile Market and Healthy Food Distribution Network.”
There are so many ways Woodside Farms will positively impact lives, not only for the people who live at Chickahominy Falls, but for the larger community as well. 
Our partnership with Shalom Farms is wonderful example of neighbors supporting neighbors, and we look forward to working with them in support of their mission for years to come.
“We believe everyone should have good food—food that is good for our bodies, good for the environment, and good for our communities. However, thousands in Richmond lack access to healthy food. Through sustainable agriculture and hands-on experiences, Shalom Farms works with the communities to ensure access to healthy food, and the support to lead healthy lives.” –Shalom Farms

If you haven’t been out to Chickahominy Falls in a while, then you won’t believe how far things have come at Woodside Farms. The Barn is fully under roof and construction continues on the Demonstration Kitchen, event space, and indoor/outdoor entertaining areas. And of course, the Hoop House is fully operational and the fields are producing, laying the foundation for many bountiful years of fresh, healthy food to come.
If you are a registered VIP, keep your eye in your inbox for Pop Up Weekend Events at Chickahominy Falls, an invitation to a special Fall Festival on the farm, and great recipes like the one below.
We’d love for you to be part of greater Richmond’s first 55+ agri-community so if you haven’t registered yet, please click here.

 Homegrown Butternut Squash from Woodside Farms

Step 1: Move to Chickahominy Falls and enjoy access to fresh, healthy, and delicious veggies like this beautiful butternut squash.
Step 2: Half the squash and spoon out the seeds. Place on a cookie sheet and put walnuts in the seed pocket.
Step 3: Drizzle with Olive Oil or Algae Oil. Sprinkle your favorite Everyday Spice Blend.  We suggest: Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Onion, Mustard, Nut Meg, Coriander, Paprika, and Chili Pepper.
Step 4: Bake at 400 for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 5: Enjoy!