The JK Community Farm, a 150-acre farm in Purcellville, Virginia, achieved another remarkable year in its mission to combat food insecurity in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia) region. In 2024, the farm donated over 247,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce and protein to local food banks, marking another milestone in its fight against hunger.
“We are grateful to our volunteer workforce and donors who have helped us meet the growing needs of our community. We continue to grow and evolve as part of our commitment to being a great partner in ending hunger as well as an educational resource about chemical-free farming,” said Samantha Kuhn, Executive Director of the JK Community Farm.
The farm’s success is rooted in the efforts of its extensive volunteer network. In 2024, over 6,700 volunteers dedicated more than 20,000 hours of service to the farm. Volunteers participated in activities such as planting, weeding, and harvesting, overcoming challenges like a hot, dry summer and significant deer pressure. These efforts were instrumental in ensuring that fresh, healthy meals reached families in need. The farm also welcomed over 75 companies from across the United States and even as far as Ireland for corporate team-building events, further strengthening its community engagement.
Among the farm’s many accomplishments this year, it harvested and donated over 67 varieties of produce. This included staples such as broccoli, kale, peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, watermelon, summer squash, butternut squash, kohlrabi, lettuce, and potatoes. Notably, the farm achieved a record harvest in June, donating nearly 23,000 pounds of produce in a single month.
In addition to its regular operations, the JK Community Farm introduced several new initiatives in 2024. It planted its first orchard of 100 fruit trees, including apples, pears, persimmons, and cherries. The farm also added 22 new perennial raised beds and trialed a new regenerative herb plot. These additions reflect the farm’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation in agriculture.
Education is a cornerstone of the JK Community Farm’s mission. This year, the farm expanded its food education efforts by developing a hands-on program designed to teach children and their families about the connection between soil, plants, people, and health. This curriculum complements the farm’s field trip program, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since become a popular educational resource for schools in the region. By fostering an understanding of food justice and healthy eating, the farm aims to address the root causes of food insecurity and chronic disease.
Since its founding in 2018, the JK Community Farm has steadily increased its capacity to grow and donate food. Each year, the farm has added new plots, raised beds, and high tunnels to enhance production. In 2023, the farm reached a major milestone by surpassing one million pounds of donated food. This achievement underscores the farm’s dedication to its mission and the collective impact of its staff, volunteers, and supporters.
The farm’s operations rely on a small but dedicated team of three staff members, supported by a vast network of volunteers and partnerships with local companies and nonprofits. Major donors, including JK Moving Services, Truist, Charlson Bredehoft Cohen & Brown, the Joseph E. Roberts Charitable Trust, Joyce Van Lines, and Virginia Easement Exchange, provide essential funding and resources. One of the farm’s signature events, the annual Plant-A-Thon, raises critical funds while engaging volunteers in planting nearly 30,000 seedlings. These seedlings go on to produce approximately 100,000 nutrient-dense meals for the community.
The JK Community Farm is the nation’s largest chemical-free community farm, with 100% of its yield donated to those in need. Its food is distributed through nonprofit partners such as Loudoun Hunger Relief, Food for Others, and the Arlington Food Assistance Center. By growing and donating chemical-free, nutrient-rich produce and protein, the farm is making a lasting impact on families struggling with hunger in the Washington, DC region.
As the farm looks to the future, it remains committed to its mission of alleviating hunger and promoting healthy eating through sustainable farming practices and education. The JK Community Farm’s achievements in 2024 are a testament to the power of community collaboration and a shared commitment to ending food insecurity.
