For those of us who have been around the sun a few times, Frank Sinatra’s 1953 hit lyrics, “Fairy tales can come true it can happen to you if your young at heart” is pitch-perfect. But it helps dreams crystallize if you’re also smart and carry a strong work ethic in your hip pocket.

Fortunately for folks living in Fauquier County Kevin and Melody Powers embodied the spirit of the song even though they are still in their mid-thirties.

“Our farm and brewery are high labor-intensive. But we didn’t anticipate how satisfying and fun it would be,” said Kevin Powers co-owner of both businesses along with his wife Melody, or Mel as she’s known down on the farm.

“We have a lot of small businesses as well as our customers who have reached out to us. That was unexpected and it’s been energizing for us both.”

Indeed, friends, customers, and business associates are collateral benefits to the couple’s success. “We were totally blind to that part of the business,” explains Powers.

Backstory
So how did the fun and success coalesce?

Kevin Powers grew up in Ohio and Mel was raised on a farm in Pa. After love struck and rings exchanged the couple settled in D.C. There was a community garden spot near them where they raised vegetables while homebrewing in their small apartment.

“We found we really enjoyed the agricultural part and the brewing part. I worked as an accountant and Mel was getting her master’s degree in psychology while working at American University,” said Powers.
It sounds like two professional careers headed for a routine life in the job harness.

But the pull of farming and brewing was too strong. After a few years, they purchased a 10-acre site in New Baltimore and began raising 1,000 hop bines, vegetables, and fruits on 2 acres they cultivated (grapes are grown on vines, hops on bines).

Originally, they began selling produce at the Manassas Farmers Market but Mel Powers soon began building a community-supported agriculture program. CSAs are a system in which a farm operation is supported by shareholders within the community who share both the benefits and risks of food production.

It dawned on the twosome a full-time living could be made by both farming and brewing. Then the real work began.

Veggies & more
In 2012 the tightly focused couple purchased a 21-acre farm in Midland; nine acres were clear and the remainder wooded. Since there was no home on the property the Powers elected to rent a place in Casanova about a half of mile from the farm. Tough commute.

A blank slate of rich farmland now awaited the two “farm artists” and cleaning dirt from their fingernails became a daily habit. “We are now growing a little bit of everything. There are about 40 products that are included in our CSA program,” explained Powers.

The CSA member agreement lists the following items and showcases the level of work required to successfully till the land:

kale, lettuce, radishes, mustard greens, garlic scallions, carrots, scallions, beets, cilantro, pea shoots, dill, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, summer squash, onions, beans, peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, garlic, ground cherries, tomatillos, new potatoes, watermelons, melons, cucumbers, basil, sweet peppers, beans, potatoes, eggplant, okra, hot peppers, summer squash, pie pumpkins, winter squash, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, parsley, peppers, sunflower shoots, and radishes.

Whew.

The produce is available by month running for 15 weeks from June through mid-September. Costs range widely depending on the type and share purchased.

For example, a vegetable half share costs $224 and $450 for a full share. Check out all the options here: http://powersfarmbrewery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Powers-Farm-CSA-order-form-2019.pdf

As described in their CSA agreement the produce is grown without the use of conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation. Because of the small size of the farm, they’ve elected not to become certified organic.

But they do hold themselves to organic practices and keep soil health, environment and nutrient quality in the forefront of their farming practices.

Brewery
In 2017 the brewery was opened on the farm. “We had planned from the beginning to create a brewery but it took more time to get it going given the work required on the farm,” said Powers. “We make a new recipe almost every week.”

Powers tries to integrate farm produce into brewery products whenever possible. Guests may encounter a lemongrass pilsner, a strawberry-infused beer, pumpkin and squash ales in the fall and more. Farm grown hops obviously find their way into the suds.

The taproom is opened Thursday and Friday 3 p.m.to 8 p.m., Saturday noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Typically nine brews are available.

On October 19th the third annual Powersfest will be held at the farm. Live music, vendors, food trucks and a special Octoberfest brew will make for a fun day; even the family pooch is invited.

In summing up the life this power couple have created, Powers says, “It’s nice when people come in and appreciate our work because we really appreciate their support.”

For the full bountiful story on Powers Farm & Brewery open their digital garden gate at https://powersfarmbrewery.com/

Published in the August 28, 2019 edition of the Fauquier Times.