HITT Contracting, a nationally recognized general contractor headquartered in Northern Virginia, has solidified its commitment to community enrichment and hunger relief through a powerful new partnership with the JK Community Farm, a 150-acre nonprofit farm located in Loudoun County, Virginia. The farm grows and donates fresh, organic food to food banks and hunger relief organizations across the greater Washington, D.C. region.
As part of its growing commitment to social responsibility, HITT Contracting has become a significant sponsor of the farm’s efforts, pledging nearly $40,000 in grant support and committing volunteer manpower to enhance the farm’s reach and educational impact. The company will serve as an Acreage Sponsor, taking financial responsibility for one full acre of farmland. Additionally, HITT is donating the design and construction of the HITT Play Zone, a specialized nature playscape that will be part of the farm’s new Outdoor Food Learning Center—an innovative educational hub aimed at fostering food literacy and environmental awareness among children.
Addressing Food Insecurity Through Hands-On Support
Founded with a mission to combat food insecurity in the region, the JK Community Farm donates everything it grows to local food banks, ensuring that families in need have access to nutrient-rich produce and proteins. In 2023 alone, the farm produced and distributed over 247,000 pounds of healthy food, thanks to the support of more than 6,700 volunteers, including employees from HITT Contracting.
With food insecurity affecting tens of thousands of families in the region, and funding cuts making it increasingly difficult for nonprofits to meet rising demand, partnerships like the one between HITT and JK Community Farm are more essential than ever.
“We work to alleviate hunger by improving access to healthy food,” said Samantha Kuhn, Executive Director of JK Community Farm. “But we’re also focused on cultivating the next generation’s understanding of where food comes from, how it’s grown, and why nutrition and environmental stewardship matter. HITT is partnering with us to support both of these goals. As government funding for food programs is shrinking, the role of corporate support becomes critical. We are incredibly grateful to HITT for investing in our mission and the families we serve.”
HITT’s Acre: Supporting Growth from the Ground Up
As an Acreage Sponsor, HITT has committed to funding all operational and agricultural expenses associated with one acre of farm production. This includes seeds, tools, soil amendments, labor, and equipment needed to cultivate crops throughout the growing season. Sponsoring an acre not only sustains food production but also increases the farm’s capacity to serve more food-insecure families across the region.
By investing in a full acre, HITT is enabling the farm to maximize its output on that land—providing thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables and herbs to regional food banks and food pantries. The company’s support also includes hands-on volunteer participation, with team members working alongside farm staff to plant, tend, and harvest the crops. This boots-on-the-ground engagement gives employees a direct connection to the community service they’re supporting.
“Community engagement is at the heart of who we are at HITT,” said Ashley Campbell, Senior Vice President at HITT Contracting. “Supporting JK Community Farm allows us to live our core value, Be the Good. This isn’t just about writing a check—it’s about showing up, getting our hands dirty, and expanding access to healthy food and meaningful education for local families. We believe that building stronger communities starts with investing in people.”
Building a Playful Future: The HITT Play Zone
Beyond its agricultural sponsorship, HITT Contracting is making a major investment in the next generation of food advocates by building the HITT Play Zone, a key feature of the farm’s forthcoming Outdoor Food Learning Center. This interactive and immersive learning environment is designed to host field trips, youth volunteers, and educational workshops throughout the growing season.
The Learning Center aims to foster curiosity and deepen students’ understanding of food systems through multi-sensory exploration. Children will dig into soil beds, smell aromatic herbs, touch diverse textures, and observe the intricate relationships between pollinators, plants, and people. The facility, which is also supported by a grant from the Joseph E. Roberts Charitable Trust, will serve as a platform for experiential learning, offering a space where classroom concepts come to life in a natural setting.
The HITT Play Zone, which is slated to open in late July, will include thoughtfully designed elements to stimulate children’s senses and imagination. Features include:
- Climbing boulders with Tonka trucks for tactile and motor skill development
- Sensory herb stations, where children can interact with fragrant plants like mint, basil, and lavender
- Nature art areas, encouraging creative expression using natural materials
- Mud kitchens, where kids can engage in imaginative play while learning about soil and water
- Birdhouses, fostering observation and discussion of wildlife and biodiversity
- Shaded seating areas, creating quiet spaces for reflection and small-group learning
Every component of the playscape is strategically designed to support the farm’s food education mission and to instill a sense of wonder, care, and responsibility for the environment.
Empowering Education and Equity
The educational arm of JK Community Farm plays a vital role in addressing not just food insecurity, but also food literacy gaps in the community. The farm welcomes more than 3,000 students each year through its field trip and youth volunteer programs. These immersive experiences are aligned with school curriculums and are structured to meet state educational standards, ensuring that students receive academically enriching content alongside their farm adventures.
Importantly, the farm emphasizes equitable access to education by engaging students from diverse racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds. With the addition of the Outdoor Food Learning Center and the HITT Play Zone, the farm will be able to offer a more dynamic and inclusive learning experience, reaching children who may not otherwise have access to nature-based education.
A Model for Corporate Community Impact
HITT Contracting’s partnership with JK Community Farm exemplifies how private sector organizations can make a measurable impact by aligning their resources, expertise, and values with local nonprofit efforts. It’s a model of corporate social responsibility in action—one that balances financial investment with meaningful, hands-on engagement to benefit communities in need.
As both the farm and HITT look toward the future, this collaboration signals a powerful step forward in the shared mission to fight hunger, foster education, and build stronger, healthier communities.
