Farm Production
Promise Land Pastures is working farm with a number of delicious and healthy products. The farm is over 124 acres with approximately 60 acres in open pastures. We have livestock and plant projects that produce meat, eggs, honey, grains, and vegetables. Every project has some special characteristic that provides a product that has a lot of intrinsic value. We also strive to make our production as sustainable and natural as possible. We use heirloom varieties and save seeds. We select purebred livestock and breed our own stock to improve our genetics and adaptation to our farm.
Working The Eggs
Our “Working the Eggs” initiative is the heart of our egg production system, blending innovation, sustainability, and generosity to serve Charles City, Virginia, and beyond. Through this program, we produce pasture-raised, non-GMO-fed eggs from our flock of Australorp chickens and donate nearly 18,000 eggs each year to support food-insecure families, elderly shut-ins, and disabled community members.
Our flock of Australorp chickens thrives lush pasture, enjoying a non-GMO diet and natural foraging opportunities. This results in nutrient-rich eggs with vibrant yolks, delivered fresh to our community.
To maintain a productive and sustainable flock, we’ve developed an innovative brooding system using Silkie hens, known for their exceptional mothering instincts. These hens naturally hatch fertilized Australorp eggs in custom-designed “broody chambers,” created in collaboration with student interns. This system ensures a steady supply of chicks without relying on commercial hatcheries, reducing costs and environmental impact.
Key features of our brooding system:
Continuous Brooding: A “trickle-effect” process allows Silkie hens to hatch eggs year-round, maintaining flock size and egg output.
Performance Tracking: We use colored wing bands (e.g., 2024/Red, 2025/Yellow) to monitor hatch years, brooding events, and metrics like hatch rates and chick survival.
Scalability: We are planning to share our broody chamber design with other family farms through workshops, online plans, and tutorials promoting sustainable egg production across the region.
Community Impact
From March to November, our egg donation program delivers 30 dozen eggs weekly to 70 households across seven routes, supported by volunteer drivers and Mechanicsville Christian Center. During peak spring months (March–May), donations double to 60 dozen per week, with an additional 30 dozen provided to the Charles City food pantry for weekly free shopping days. Local children add a touch of joy by painting egg cartons with colorful designs, making each delivery a heartfelt gift.
Since its inception, “Working the Eggs” has:
Donated nearly 18,000 eggs annually to those in need.
Engaged youth in carton painting and farm-based education.
Strengthened community bonds through partnerships with local organizations.
