A Historic Manassas Farmers Market Vendor Spotlight
Nestled on nearly 60 acres of pasture, woods, streams, and ponds in Culpeper, Virginia, Hock Newberry Farm is not your average farm, and Erica, the driving force behind this Historic Manassas Farmers Market vendor, is not your average farmer. From her childhood on a desert ostrich farm to a decade of service in the U.S. Coast Guard, Erica's path to agriculture has been anything but conventional. What’s taking shape here is a thoughtful return to something ancient: working with nature instead of against it.
Health Starts with the Land
At Hock Newberry, the health of the soil, animals, and community are all connected. Erica and her husband Brian practice rotational, multi-species grazing using a combination of permanent and temporary fencing to move their livestock through pastures and orchard spaces. Cows graze and fertilize, chickens follow to scratch through manure and eat larvae, and pigs root and aerate the soil, all working together to build fertility and balance.
“We use our animals to better the land through targeted disturbance, high-intensity and planned successive grazing, and manure distribution,” Erica explains. “Even our wild areas are managed intentionally to support pollinators, birds, native plants, and dung beetles, which all play a role in the larger ecosystem.”
The farm’s regenerative practices aren’t limited to grazing. They also avoid herbicides as much as possible, rely on compost and natural inputs, and work to strengthen the land’s ability to heal and produce on its own terms.
Conservation in Action
Hock Newberry Farm recently completed a major conservation project, thanks to a grant from the Culpeper County Soil and Water Conservation District. The goal: protect waterways that feed into the Chesapeake Bay. After an on-farm survey, the project resulted in 8,773 feet of stream exclusion fencing, four stream crossings, seven in-ground, frost-free water troughs, and four frost-free hydrants.
“The grant process was smooth, and the local team was incredibly helpful,” Erica shares. “It took about a year from survey to completion, with a few weather delays, but the result is improved water access for our animals and real protection for our streams.” Erica encourages other farmers, large or small, to explore what their local districts offer in the way of grants, from erosion control to riparian buffer planting and grazing infrastructure.
Why Soy-Free?
One thing Erica hopes market shoppers understand is the farm’s commitment to producing soy-free meat, dairy, and eggs, a rare offering in today’s market. “I’m personally sensitive to soy, and we’ve learned that raising animals on soy-free feed is more natural and results in a healthier, better-tasting product,” she says.
Most conventional livestock feed is packed with soy, which can cause sensitivities even in people who don’t realize they’re reacting to it secondhand. Hock Newberry’s animals eat alternative, thoughtfully sourced feeds, resulting in products that cook faster, taste richer, and are gentler on sensitive systems. And if you’ve been a frequenter of Hock Newberry, you know just how delicious quality food can taste.
Looking Ahead
While the farm’s current offerings include soy-free chicken, turkey, eggs, heritage pork, goat’s milk (not for human consumption) share program, Erica’s vision reaches far beyond food. The hope for next year is to introduce beef into her offerings, expanding once more into providing her community with exceptional, quality driven food products.
“We’re building something deeper,” she says. “We want to offer cooking and homesteading classes, and programs to help people reconnect with their roots. This summer, we hope to build outdoor spaces for yoga, meditation, and breathwork workshops, ways for people to manage stress and rediscover balance through the land.”
When you visit the Hock Newberry Farm booth at the Historic Manassas Farmers Market, you’ll likely be greeted by Erica or Brian. Be sure to stop by, congratulate them on their recent conservation grant, and ask about the exciting workshops they’re planning.
At Hock Newberry, everything is grown and raised in a system designed not just to sustain the land, but to improve it. That care and intention result in food that nourishes more than just our bodies; it helps restore ecosystems, honors animal welfare, and supports long-term community health.
To follow along with life on the farm — from regenerative practices in action to behind-the-scenes snapshots of baby goats and their friendly farm dog Mojo — check out @hocknewberryfarm on Instagram.
By Brooke Wiseman, MS, RDN, LDN, a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems. Follow on IG @onechancenutrition
