Botanical Bites and Provisions: Veteran Farmers At Work
After spending 24 and 10 years, respectively, serving in the Army, Tom and Anita Roberson began their careers outside of the military. Tom worked as a physician’s assistant and Anita worked for the federal Office of Personnel Management, but their true passion was to become farmers. Their son Julian put together a business plan, while Tom and Anita took farming classes through Virginia State University.
The family knew starting their farm wouldn’t be easy. For them, farming became an all-or-nothing proposition. They credit their military experiences for giving them the determination to put in the long, grueling hours necessary to make their farm a success. Within a few months, the Robersons began agricultural operations on land they had purchased in Spotsylvania, Virginia. They sell tomatoes, watermelons, squash, blueberries and other produce from May through September, in addition to flowers such as snapdragons and sunflowers.
The Robersons received assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to install a high-tunnel system to extend their growing season to several months out of the year. The NRCS also worked with the Robersons to install a variety of irrigation practices to conserve and better utilize their water resources. As a result, the farm is now 97 percent water efficient. The Robersons are currently working on ways to attract pollinators to their farm, as well.
The Roberson’s efforts and achievements were rewarded by Virginia State University, which named their’ farm, the “Botanical Bites Provisions,” VSU’s 2015 Small Farm of the Year.
NRCS salutes the Robersons for their service to our country and recognizes their contributions to the community and agriculture, and for their help in conserving natural resources.
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