Gardening Gays Farm: Rural LGBTQ Success

In 2020 Kevin Graham and Dragan Kurbalija bought a 60-acre plot on US-301 in King George County, Virginia, and raised a sign reading “Gardening Gays Farm.” Within two years they added chickens, ducks, sheep, eggs, milk, cheese and orchard fruit, boosting sales from $8,000 to $40,000 and financing expansion with a county economic-development grant and donated orchard trees.

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Graham grew up in rural Florida, worked as a fitness instructor, then entered government service; Kurbalija, raised in Serbia, endured child labor on farms before managing multimillion-dollar restaurants. They met on Adam4Adam, married in Woodbridge, Virginia, in 2017, and left Washington, D.C. after COVID-19 highlighted food insecurity. They now run the farm together. U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman (Virginia’s 7th District) visits regularly. The county’s community-engagement director called the farm “a pinnacle member of our local agricultural sector.” Cindy Arriaga, a former customer, now works at the farm and is launching a nearby farm.

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The farm has about 60,000 Facebook followers, half of whom are local; 50 % of customers live nearby. Annual sales rose from $8,000 to $40,000. Its US-301 location makes it a visible landmark for I-95 bypass travelers.

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County officials cite the farm’s role in job creation, supply-chain resilience and preserving Virginia’s agricultural heritage. Representative Vindman highlighted the county’s educated population and said the farm supports local jobs, strengthens supply chains and carries forward agricultural traditions. The county board awarded a “Best of the Best” honor and a development grant.

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The farm was vandalized with medical waste, and a parent complained about owners wearing farm hoodies during a school visit, prompting a sheriff’s investigation that found no wrongdoing. King George Middle School’s board denied a student-initiated Gay-Straight Alliance, leaving queer students feeling invisible.

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The farm’s sign provides “soft-power” advocacy, showing LGBTQ people thriving in a rural setting. Local teachers have organized classroom visits; customers describe the experience as “stopping by a neighbor’s house.” The operation has inspired nearby entrepreneurs, including Arriaga’s own farm project.

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Officials stress inclusion and economic benefit, yet vandalism, the school-board’s GSA denial and individual complaints reveal ongoing resistance.

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• “a pinnacle member of our local agricultural sector.” — County Community Engagement Director

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• “The answer is now a hard no, full stop,” — Kevin Graham, co-owner

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• “I don't need to antagonize half the population.” — Dragan Kurbalija, co-owner

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• “They're supporting local jobs, strengthening supply chains, carrying forward Virginia's agricultural traditions,” — Rep. Eugene Vindman

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The farm plans to broaden its product line, deepen school-community ties and mentor emerging growers while navigating ongoing social tensions in King George County.

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