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.”
At first glance it looks like any other farm sign, but the story behind it is anything but ordinary.

Two Men, One Promise

Dragan grew up on a Croatian farm and vowed never to work the fields again.
Kevin was raised helping his dad with lawn care in Florida and made the same promise as a teenager.

Both loved being outdoors, yet both also wanted to give it another try.

From Backyard to Brand

2019 – While living in Maryland, they planted a small garden behind their townhouse.
Friends raved about the tomatoes and peppers; hashtags like #GardeningGays trended on their photos.
2020 – A friend sketched a logo, and they printed T‑shirts for Dragan’s birthday.
It was a hobby, not a grand plan.

Pandemic Push

When grocery stores emptied during COVID‑19, they saw an opportunity: grow food for themselves and others. The idea of a full farm took root.

They scoured land near Washington, D.C., but prices were prohibitive.
After exploring Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, they found a 27‑acre plot in Virginia.
August 2021 – They moved there.

New Life, Old Roots

Friends laughed at the idea of a gay couple leaving city life for rural farming. Some friendships faded, but they embraced this new chapter.

They now own a working farm that sells:
Fresh produce
Eggs
Whole chickens
A small shop stocks items from local vendors.
Every Saturday in spring and fall, food trucks and brunches arrive.
Four farm festivals a year draw many visitors.

Daily Grind

The routine is demanding:

Chickens, sheep, ducks and guinea pigs are fed and watered each morning.
Crops are planted after clearing fields with a bush hog.
The men note that few people in their age group engage in such labor-intensive work.

They say this hard work teaches patience and slows life down.

Changed Priorities

What once worried them now feels small compared to feeding animals and harvesting crops.
They feel happier, more connected to visitors.
Conversations about families and vacations flow naturally in a rural setting—unlike the city’s fast pace.

Community Support

The farm has earned:

Best agricultural business
Best family‑owned business
Best overall business

for two consecutive years. The local community accepted them, even in a conservative area. They keep the rainbow sign year‑round because pride is part of their identity, not just a month.

A Life of Growth

They believe that doing what you love every day brings true joy. The farm is a place where they grow food, people, and themselves.