Runnymeade Community Farm in Varina to support local farmers, fight food insecurity

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Varina will soon get a community farm that offers support to local farmers and helps address food insecurity in the county.

Henrico County announced on Monday, Nov. 17, that it's partnering with the nonprofit Happily Natural Day to create a community farm in southeastern Henrico. The farm will sit on the county's 1,052-acre Runnymeade property on Willis Church Road, the release said.

The community farm will first encompass 10 acres during the pilot phase. Depending on community interest, officials said the farm can expand to 20 acres and more.

Farmers will have the opportunity to apply to use plots beginning in late fall. Henrico farmers will be given priority.

“In many ways, the growth and prosperity that Henrico County enjoys today can be traced to the farms and fields of Varina that have sustained our community for centuries,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson. “We are proud to honor and continue this outstanding legacy. Our community farm will be a place where Varina’s small farmers and others can nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. By working with the land, they will be able to grow wealth for themselves and their families – just as generations of local farmers have done before them.”

Per the release, Henrico supervisors have entered into an initial two-year agreement that pays Happily Natural Day $50,000 annually to run the land access program and provide support to farmers. The county is preparing the Runnymeade site and access to water and other infrastructure, the release said.

Happily Natural Day focuses on social change and holistic health and wellness, according to its website. The nonprofit's mission includes promoting urban agriculture through the operation of community gardens.

Per the release, the farm's annual yield could total as much as 500,000 pounds of produce — including fruits, vegetables, grains and flowers — once it's operating at capacity year-round. A portion of the produce will go to the Henrico Community Food Bank to help address food insecurity.

For more information or to apply to the program, visit Runnymeade Community Farm.