Spring/Summer 2022 | Page 40

So there is a market there ,” says Ramesh . “ Now 75 percent of what I grow is mostly Asian and African , ethnic stuff … things you won ’ t find easily .”
With some 6,000 What ’ s App people on his phone , Ramesh and Liz have developed quite a following among local foodies . His Indian community are big fans and his exceptional customer care drives their ever growing and changing produce markets . Take the leafy vegetable purslane , for example . It ’ s grown in many parts of Asia and Europe as a staple leafy green , with the entire plant being edible , low in calories , and filled with beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids .
Sending pics to his fans , keeping them up to speed on what ’ s for sale encourages families to come and spend relaxing time picking fruits and veggies . The kid ’ s favorite activities when nudged to get their hands in the dirt ? Digging up potatoes , carrots and beets and gleefully pawing at the ground like there was buried treasure below ! Does that connection to living food and how it ’ s grown make kids more inclined to eat their vegetables ? Absolutely !
On the farm ’ s four acres remarkable things happen . There is no irrigation system . “ The way I water my crops ? I pray for rain ! And buckets of water when needed ,” laughs Ramesh . “ I try to grow as organic as I can . Two years ago a guy from the University of Virginia had heard about the farm operation and came to check it out . He was amazed at how we were growing and said ‘ Remesh , did you go to school for this ?’ I said , ‘ No I just do trial and error , watch Youtube videos , and am self taught . He said ‘ Are you kidding ? Do you spray ? and I told him I didn ’ t . Next month he brought 40 kids out to tour the farm .”
Ramesh and Liz ’ s passion for growing also touches the greater community . “ We are always willing to give back and help when and if we can . In the past three years we have donated 10,000 pounds of produce to food pantries in the DMV area , including the Dulles South Food Pantry , Loudoun Hunger Relief and other organizations that cook food to feed those in need .“
Ramesh laments the lack of connection young people have with their food source . “ Kids these days don ’ t know where their food comes from . They don ’ t know how to grow a tomato .” His business model is beyond welcoming , always encouraging entire families to come , pick some veggies , and shop while the kids play soccer or basketball at the edge of the field by a stream and just hang out .
Farm stand vegetables are available from Wednesday through Sunday in season , which starts around the Fourth of July . There is a CSA program with weekly shares from April through November ( nvwgrowers . com / nvw-csa ). Always adjusting to changing conditions Ramesh reflects , “ In an effort to reduce waste we offer home delivery and created an e-commerce site where customers can shop online and have veggies delivered to their home .”
Fresh healthy produce is just part of the NVWG story . In their three large greenhouses on the property their flowering farm operation is magical . You can peruse hundreds of seasonal bedding
40 wander I spring • summer 2022