A Farm, a Rainbow, and Two Men Who Loved the Soil

The sign on U. S. 301 in King George County is bright and clear: “Gardening Gays Farm. ” It looks like a normal farm sign, but the story behind it is unusual. Two men, Dragan and Kevin, grew up in different places. Dragan was raised on a farm in Croatia and promised himself he would never work on a field again. Kevin grew up helping his dad with lawn care in Florida and made the same promise when he was a teenager. They both loved being outdoors, but they decided to give it another try. In 2019, while living in Maryland, they started a small garden behind their townhouse. Friends liked the tomatoes and peppers they grew, so they began sharing them. A hashtag, #GardeningGays, appeared on their pictures. In 2020 a friend drew a logo and they printed T‑shirts for Dragan’s birthday. Nothing seemed like a big plan, just a hobby. When the pandemic hit, grocery stores were empty. They wanted to grow their own food and help others. The idea of a full farm grew inside them. They searched for land near Washington, D. C. , but prices were too high. After looking in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, they found a 27‑acre plot in Virginia. In August 2021 they moved there.The move was risky. Friends laughed that a gay couple would leave the city for rural life. Some friendships faded, but they felt it was a new chapter. They now own a working farm that sells fresh produce, eggs, and whole chickens. A small shop sells items from local vendors. Every Saturday in spring and fall they host food trucks and brunch. Four farm festivals a year attract many visitors. The daily routine is hard work. Chickens, sheep, ducks and guinea pigs need feeding and water every morning. Crops are planted after clearing the fields with a bush hog. The men admit they do not see many people in their age group doing this level of labor. They say the work teaches patience and slows down life. Living on the farm has changed their priorities. Things that once worried them now seem small compared to feeding animals and harvesting vegetables. They feel happier, more connected to people who visit the farm. Conversations about families and vacations happen naturally in a rural setting, unlike the fast pace of city life. The local community has been supportive. The farm was named best agricultural business, best family‑owned business and best overall business for two years in a row. The men say the community accepted them, even though it is conservative. They keep the rainbow sign year‑round because pride is a part of who they are, not just a month. They believe that finding something you love and doing it every day brings true joy. The farm is a place where they can grow food, grow people, and grow themselves.