After serving in the Navy, Joe Isbell managed the Richmond City Farm until its closure in 1950. In 1951, Joe and Kathleen Isbell purchased the 175 acres where our farm stands today. At that time, the property was home to just an old two-story wooden house—so weathered that daylight could be seen between the boards—and a dilapidated corn crib.
In 1956, Joe designed and constructed the new farmhouse that we still use today, a testament to his vision and dedication. This legacy of hard work and commitment to the land continues to inspire our farming practices and community values.
In the early days, much of the land was covered in woods, limiting the available pasture and crop land. To address this, Joe and Keen constructed hen houses for laying hens, eventually achieving a production of over 100,000 dozen eggs each year.
Eddie fondly recalls spending countless hours as a child napping in a milk crate while Joe and Keen washed eggs. Joe also ran an egg route in Richmond, delivering fresh eggs three times a week, in addition to supplying Virginia Dairy. This dedication to quality and service laid the foundation for the farm's success.
In the 1970s, Keenbell Farm expanded to include a pig operation, reaching a feeder pig capacity of 500 head, all while maintaining a beef cattle operation. However, when the hog market declined in the 1980s, the focus shifted back to cattle, hay, and a variety of crops, including corn, wheat, barley, and soybeans.
Throughout the years, the farm has adapted to changing conditions, allowing it to thrive while many others struggled and closed their doors in the 1980s. Joe was able to retire in 1998, though he continued working on the farm until his passing in 2016, embodying the spirit and dedication that has defined our family legacy.
Over the years, we have maintained a small hay operation on a few acres while leasing the majority of our land to a fellow farmer. In 2005, we began renovations to rejuvenate the farm, which had taken a toll from years of conventional farming practices. We gradually reclaimed land that had been leased out and converted it back to pasture for our natural meat operation, while also starting to grow specialty non-GMO grains, particularly food-grade heritage varieties.
Today, we personally manage 350 acres, divided between our livestock and specialty grains. Our standards align with certified natural and organic practices, and we continually strive to be at the forefront of conservation methods, earning several awards for our efforts.
This journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our family and friends. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Joe and Kathleen, whose blessings and legacy laid the foundation for our farm’s revival.