Liana Stachowicz and her partner James Smith are the founders of Sliding Rock Farm in Bassett, Virginia. With a deep commitment to agroecological land management, Stachowitz produces regeneratively grown market garden vegetables including tomatoes, squash, okra, cucumbers, various brassicas, and root crops. Most of their produce goes to the Henry County Food Pantry through a secure purchasing partnership, supporting local food access for families in their community. The duo are also working to establish perennial fruit and nut crops that can be integrated into a silvopasture system.
“I started farming because I love seeing the tangible impacts of your work on the farm day to day,” says Stachowicz. “After working several jobs in my early 20’s, I was unsatisfied with the unclear outcomes of my work. On the farm, I can see the changes in the land as we improve the soil health and I can watch the plants grow right in front of me. I also get to interact with the community who values our produce, and incorporate their feedback into what we grow for the next season.”
Stachowicz will use the Beginning Farmer Stipend to purchase tools that will help increase efficiency of the market garden operation. Since Stachowicz handles most of the farm herself, the funds will help optimize the planting, amending, weeding, harvesting, and packing workload to be manageable for one person. She looks forward to using new tools to improve soil health, reduce pest pressure, and grow higher quality produce.