Hilldrup Visits Rappahannock Education Farm – Growing Produce and Hope
Inspired to fill a gap in the need for fresh produce by local food banks, the Rappahannock Education Farm is providing food solutions in a unique, community-focused way.
Hilldrup is dedicated to supporting organizations that are giving a “hand up” to those in need, specifically those combatting hunger. Knowing that there are families and individuals who are food insecure in the communities where we live and work has inspired Hilldrup to support those who are leading the charge to fight hunger. Neighbors like Rappahannock Education Farm have seen the need too – a 200,000 pound need, in fact – and with grants from partners like Hilldrup, we’re honored to be working together to support the community’s needs.
Rappahannock Education Farm, led by its visionary and Chair of the Rappahannock Education Farm Board, Rich Larochelle, is a community-owned farm with a mission to provide fresh produce – a highly requested need by local food banks. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization and inspired by the work done similarly by the Fauquier Education Farm established in 2010, the farm provides significant volumes of food that are donated to the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank.
But their incredible work doesn’t stop there. The Farm has plans to provide agriculture education through workshops on best practices in sustainable gardening and farming, and be inclusive to the entire community, welcoming volunteers who will support the farm’s operations and governance alike.
Hilldrup was excited to visit Rappahannock Education Farm with a special tour led by Rich himself. The community farm spans just over 11 acres in southern Stafford County in Virginia; it relies on their outstanding, dedicated volunteers to keep things moving and depends on the generosity of donations and grants for funding.
Rich was inspired to establish a community farm upon hearing that there was a 200,000 pound gap between fresh produce requested and what the local food banks could provide. The farm’s immediate goal? To donate 100,000 pounds of food each year to the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank between 2026 and 2027. What’s more, the farm uses no pesticides or chemicals – committing to not just growing a significant volume of food, but doing so naturally and safely.
We’re thrilled and thankful that Rich and his team are leading this charge and were pleased to provide $7,000 from the Hilldrup Move-Up Fund, managed by our partners at the Community Foundation, to support their mission and vision. Through the Hilldrup Move Up Fund, we want to help people “move up” into a more favorable situation so that they can begin other changes positive changes in their lives. Our goal is for grants from our company’s fund can provide a stepping stone to an even better future for people in need and their families. We appreciate all that Rich and his team are doing, and we look forward to sharing more about their incredible work!
To learn more about Rappahannock Education Farm and learn how you can get involved, please visit their website: https://rappahannockfarm.org/.
Rappahannock Education Farm, located in Stafford County, Virginia, grows produce without the use of pesticides or chemicals, to bring fresh produce to those who are facing food insecurity in the local community.
A community-owned farm, Rappahannock Education Farm relies on volunteers, donations and grants to support and fund their inspiring work of bringing fresh, healthy food to local food banks serving the Stafford, Fredericksburg and surrounding areas.
Jordan McDaniel Hinkebein, Sr. Director, Internal Communications and Special Projects, joins Rich Larochelle, visionary and Chair of the Rappahannock Education Farm Board on-site at the farm for a tour and to learn more about their program. We were honored to support the Farm’s mission and vision with a $7,000 donation from the Hilldrup Move-Up Fund.
