Celebrating local flavors, producers, and soil health champions over a shared meal

Over 130 guests joined the 2025 Virginia Farm to Table Feast & Harvest Celebration at On Sunny Slope Farm in Rockingham, Virginia on Saturday October 25. The crisp evening started with Harry Jarrett’s tour of the farm and stories about the family’s history and innovative agricultural practices. Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents Mike Parrish, Beth Sastre, and Thomas Bolles tested guests’ soil samples and shared educational resources, including the trailer that Mike designed. Inside the tent decorated with string lights and Harmony Harvest centerpieces, Bob Chew played guitar and sang groovy ‘60s tunes. Lucien’s Catering provided hors d’oeuvres with ingredients grown by local producers, and Arterra Wines offered a variety of flavors special to the region. Partners and exhibitors who helped make the event possible shared information and swag with guests, and art exhibits by Ennis Carter of Social Impact Studios, Phyllis Ressler and Pat Augsburger, and Daniel James of Herd Ventures were displayed for guests to peruse.

After opening remarks and honoring the incredible work of Dr. Eric Bendfelt of Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative to connect people with their farmers and food, guests enjoyed a delicious meal provided by producers and farmers around the commonwealth. During the program, the Carl Luebben Soil Health and Water Quality Award was presented to Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and received on her behalf by her longtime colleagues and friends Renard and Chinette Turner of Vanguard Ranch Natural Gourmet.

Several champions behind the 4 The Soil initiative then debuted the 4 The Soil hand puppets with a short sketch that delighted young audience members. Afterward, one of the puppeteers and soil health champions behind the podcast 4 The Soil: A Conversation, Jeff Ishee of On the Farm Radio led a conversation with three local food leaders about their experiences. Nita Mensia of Winfield Farms, Maureen McNamara Best of LEAP, and Lee O’Neill of Radical Roots Farm, all shared their insights and hopes for the future of food, farming, and community. 

Thank you to the exhibitors and partners who made this event possible!