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

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — JK Community Farm, a 150-acre nonprofit farm in western Loudoun County started in 2018 to help address hunger in the D.C. area, expects to donate 135,000 pounds of food in 2020. The farm also plans to expand its food donations from Northern Virignia into the District of Columbia through a new partnership.

The 135,000 pounds of food will be able to provide 108,000 meals to people in the region in 2020. The farm, located just off Route 719 between Round Hill and Airmont, donated 114,141 pounds of food to groups in 2019, the equivalent of more than 91,312 meals. The food was distributed by the farm's nonprofit partners: Loudoun Hunger Relief, Fairfax-based Food for Others and Arlington Food Assistance Center.

For its move into D.C. in 2020, JK Community Farm will be partnering with Community Foodworks to distribute food in the city, the farm announced Monday.

The farm began when JK Moving Services CEO Chuck Kuhn wanted to expand his family and company's philanthropic investments in a way that matched his company's values and had a lasting impact. After purchasing the 150 acres in western Loudoun, Kuhn put it into a conservation easement. The property had been an old dairy farm.

"Using my land to grow and share food is a way we can contribute and address hunger issues by providing healthy foods throughout the year," Kuhn said in 2018 when he started the farm.

The JK Community Farm grows produce without chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, and features many examples of sustainable agriculture, including a compost system, rainwater harvesting, and drip irrigation, the farm's website says.

On Monday, JK Community Farm also announced the addition of three new board members: David Joubran, co-founder and CEO of Acumen Solutions; Brad Nicklin, audit partner at accounting and consulting firm Baker Tilly; and Denis MacFarlane, founder and CEO of consulting firm Infinitive.

The new board members will serve with existing board members: JK Community Farm Chair Chuck Kuhn, JK Moving CEO; Farm Board Secretary Tina Buckley, JK Moving executive assistant; Board Treasurer Harry Ross of accounting firm Ross and Associates; and Farm Executive Director Samantha Kuhn.

"We are excited to have amazing representation from the business community on the JK Community Farm board. Having a strong board is critical to meeting the needs of our community and achieving our mission to combat hunger," Samantha Kuhn said in a statement.

Since its founding two years ago, the JK Community Farm has grown sweet potatoes, lettuce, kale, turnips, sweet corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and other vegetables.

The farm's protein program is grass-fed Angus beef and natural Hampshire Berkshire cross pork. as well as free-range organic eggs. This year, the farm expects to donate 60,000 pounds of beef. The protein program runs across the road from the produce part of the farm.

The farm relies on volunteers for a lot of the work that goes on. They get to learn a wide range of skills such as, planting, harvesting, weeding, composting and basic construction. The farm also welcomes donations and sponsorships.