What we’re about
The Sierra Club Falls of the James Group (FOJG) is an environmental and outdoor group operating in and around Richmond, VA. FOJG has regular meetings featuring presentations and discussion of environmental issues, and has frequent outings in the Richmond area.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- FOJG Tour of Shalom Farm's Northside FarmNeeds location
Shalom Farms is a nonprofit working together to build healthy communities by growing and sharing healthy food to communities where healthy food is limited.
In 2016, Shalom Farms relocated their primary growing site from Goochland to a larger, more accessible 12-acre farm in Powhatan, only 20 minutes west of Richmond.In 2017, Shalom Farms broke ground on their 5-acre Northside Farm, conveniently located in the heart of metro Richmond on Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Westwood Tract. The farm is just minutes from the communities they serve and is the largest “urban farm” in the region. With 2 acres in production, this secondary farm site harvests 100,000 servings of produce a year. This expansion has also allowed them to evolve from distributing just a few thousand pounds of produce a year to local food banks, to a comprehensive range of food access programs and strategies that serve over 10,000 community members annually. This site was added to increase the accessibility of education and volunteer opportunities, and as a central location for distribution and on-farm partnerships.
Tours are offered on a sliding scale of $0-10 per person and payment can be submitted online here or by cash or check.
You will need to sign the Sierra Club electronic waiver here Shalom Farms is a nonprofit working together to build healthy communities by growing and sharing healthy food to communities where healthy food is limited.
“Shalom Farms is the evolution of the work of the United Methodist Urban Ministries of Richmond (UMUMR) which has a long history of social service work in Richmond. In 2009 UMUMR started a pilot project growing food on just half an acre at Westview on the James in Goochland. As the impact of the project quickly became clear, the organization decided to focus exclusively on food access work and eventually changed its name to Shalom Farms.
In 2016, Shalom Farms relocated their primary growing site from Goochland to a larger, more accessible 12-acre farm in Powhatan, only 20 minutes west of Richmond.
In 2017, Shalom Farms broke ground on their 5-acre Northside Farm, conveniently located in the heart of metro Richmond on Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Westwood Tract. The address is 1311 Westwood Ave, Richmond, VA 23227. The farm is just minutes from the communities they serve and is the largest “urban farm” in the region. With 2 acres in production, this secondary farm site harvests 100,000 servings of produce a year. This expansion has also allowed them to evolve from distributing just a few thousand pounds of produce a year to local food banks, to a comprehensive range of food access programs and strategies that serve over 10,000 community members annually. This site was added to increase the accessibility of education and volunteer opportunities, and as a central location for distribution and on-farm partnerships.
Tours are offered on a sliding scale of $0-10 per person and payment can be submitted online here or by cash or check.
Sign the Sierra Club waiver Tour of Shalom Farm's Northside Farm (sierraclub.org) here or on site as well as the Shalom Farm waiver.
Level: Easy
Cost: Tours are offered on a sliding scale of $0-10 per person and payment can be submitted online or by cash or check.
Signup Instructions: Please register and sign both our Sierra Club and Shalom Farm waivers
Bring: Please bring water bottles, sun protection, close-toed shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
Additional Directions: Once you park in the lot, you can walk straight through the center of the farm and a staff person will greet you by the packing barn.
Cancellation Policy: Heavy rain cancels s well as the Shalom Farm waiver.
Level: Easy
Cost: Tours are offered on a sliding scale of $0-10 per person and payment can be submitted online or by cash or check.
Bring: Please bring water bottles, sun protection, close-toed shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
Additional Directions: Once you park in the lot, you can walk straight through the center of the farm and a staff person will greet you by the packing barn.
Cancellation Policy: Heavy rain cancels
Outing Leader: Shavon Peacock [email protected], 804-855-8458 - FOJG Hike: Riverside Drive Along the James RiverNeeds location
We will meet at the Pony Pasture Rapids Parking lot and then walk along Riverside Drive, through the Huguenot Woods and to the Huguenot Flatwater parking lot. We will proceed along Riverside Drive until it ends. We will then retrace our steps back to the Pony Pasture. We will have great views of the James River and see the remains of the Westham Bridge, go over Rattlesnake Creek (no rattlesnakes!), pass a few islands, the Z-Dam, and if lucky, we will see some eagles. We will hike about 4 miles for 3 hours. There is a limit of 10 participants. Shavon Peacock is the Outing Leader. Contact her at [email protected] or 804-855-8458 for more information.
Level: Easy
Cost: Free
Signup Instructions: Register and complete the waiver electronically here FOJG Hike: Riverside Drive Along the James River (sierraclub.org) or on site.
Bring: Hat, sturdy shoes, binoculars, sunscreen, water, and snacks.
Signup Restrictions: All participants must sign a Sierra Club waiver, either online or at the trailhead. Youths under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Dogs on a leash are allowed but their waste must be picked up.
Cancellation Policy: Any rain cancels
