Organic practices aren't a marketing line for us — they're how we run the farm every day. Here's what that actually means.
We don't use synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers on any crop at Pungo Farm. When a planting would otherwise be lost, we use only OMRI-listed materials — the same inputs approved for certified organic farms. Every decision we make about crop inputs starts from that commitment.
We're not USDA certified organic — that certification process involves significant cost and paperwork that's genuinely prohibitive for small operations like ours. But we follow organic practices rigorously — and we're transparent about exactly what goes on our fields. If you want to see our fields and ask us about our inputs, we welcome that. Come visit.
We've invested in high tunnel infrastructure — passive solar greenhouse structures that extend our growing season on both ends and protect crops from Hampton Roads' weather extremes. Our high tunnels allow us to grow spinach, lettuce, and cold-hardy greens through the winter months and start summer crops earlier in the spring.
This is how we deliver a full 20-week Winter CSA in Virginia Beach — not by sourcing from outside, but by growing through the cold with the right structures and variety selection.
Rather than planting everything at once and harvesting in one big wave, we plant in successions — staggered plantings of the same crop every few weeks. This means there's always something at peak quality and we avoid the feast-or-famine cycles that make some CSA boxes feel repetitive.
Instead of herbicides, we manage weeds mechanically — using landscape fabric on our beds and the stale seedbed technique to reduce weed pressure before planting. It's more labor-intensive than spraying. We think the tradeoff is worth it.
We use a Jang JP-1 seeder for direct-seeded crops like carrots, radishes, and salad greens. Precision seeding means better germination rates, more uniform crop development, and less waste — which translates to more consistent boxes for members.
We're open to member visits. There's nothing quite like seeing where your food actually grows. Reach out and we'll find a time that works.
Get in Touch →