Nonprofit Loudoun Farm Seeks Volunteers Under Phase 3 Expansion

PURCELLVILLE, VA — JK Community Farm in western Loudoun County is looking for volunteers this summer who can help the farm meet its 2020 goal of donating 135,000 pounds of produce and protein to food banks and nonprofit groups to help alleviate hunger in Northern Virginia.

Under phase three of Virginia’s coronavirus reopening plan, the farm, located near Purcellville, can now allow groups of 40 volunteers at a time help with harvesting crops. In addition to volunteer support, the farm also relies on donations to support its operations.

JK Community Farm is a 150-acre nonprofit farm in Loudoun County started in 2018 with the support of JK Moving Services to help address hunger in the D.C. area. Local residents can sign up on the farm's website to become volunteers.

Despite the coronavirus crisis and the use of smaller volunteer groups, JK Community Farm said it is still on target to reach its 2020 harvest goals. This year’s harvest goal of 135,000 pounds will provide the equivalent of 108,000 meals to those in need, it said.

“We are committed to creating a safe environment for our volunteers while also meeting the large and surging need for food in our community," Samantha Kuhn, executive director, JK Community Farm, said Wednesday in a statement. "That’s why we are conservatively increasing the number of volunteers for each shift and continuing to have more shifts so we can still meet our harvest goals."

In March, the farm reduced its volunteer force to 10 people per shift to comply with social distancing guidelines. The farm has still been able to donate 35,275 pounds of produce and protein so far this season. The produce includes lettuce, arugula, kale, broccoli, radishes, onions, swiss chard and spinach and will soon include cabbage, squash and zucchini.

JK Community Farm distributes its food through nonprofit partners Loudoun Hunger Relief, Food for Others and Arlington Food Assistance Center. The farm is also starting an herb program, focusing on food and nutrition education programs, and transforming its barn into an education center, food prep area and teaching kitchen.

The farm is located just off Route 719 between Round Hill and Airmont. Its address is 35516 Paxson Road.

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• JK Community Farm Sets Goal Of 108,000 Meals To Reduce Hunger