hANGING rOCK hAY & gRAIN

Farmer Chris Van Vlack grew up in Fairfax, and after graduating from American University, worked at Frying Pan Park in Herndon both working on the farm and also teaching school and scout groups. After getting a job with Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District and moving to Lovettsville, he started his own farming operation, Hanging Rock Hay & Grain in 2007 with a 1950 Farmall M and some borrowed hay equipment.

Hanging Rock Hay & Grain is a custom farming operation, with around 6 different leased parcels totaling around 35-40 acres at any given time. Chris puts the conservation practices promoted by LSWCD into action with no till and minimal till planting, utilizing organic fertilizers like poultry manure, maintaining vegetated buffers to streams, and keeping herbicides and other sprays to an absolute minimum. Chris is an active member of Loudoun Farm Bureau, having served as president, along with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Regional Ag Work Group and FARM Committee, Loudoun's Rural Economic Development Council, the Center for Rural Virginia, National Farmers Union, Save Rural Loudoun, Hillsboro Ruritan Club, and of course Common Grain Alliance!

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