About

The Adaptive Life Farm

Farming is therapy, not just for the body but also for the world. Sustainable farming isn’t enough. Adaptive Life Farm seeks innovated ways to regenerate forests and create a food chain that can repair the world. We don’t just grow native trees–we look for trees that will adapt to climate change and feed humans, animals and insects. We don’t just plant trees–we create ecosystems through forest management that cleans the air and water. We want to set the standard for all landowners to see what being a farmer and forest owner looks like.

We are located in Madison County, Virginia, between Charlottesville and Culpeper. We are proud to support the efforts of Old Rag Master Naturalists and the Virginia Tree Stewards.

Bios

Kathryn Hughes is a writer, communications professional and teacher. She is also a wife, mother and farmer. In 2015, she traded in her power pumps for muck boots and moved from an apartment in the city to a micro farm in the country. She went from pitching healthcare reform talking points to pitching hay bales and discussing breeding schedules. It’s been a bit of a change.

Neil Hughes is an artist, adaptive athlete and farmer. After two years training with the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah, Neil moved to Virginia in 2018 to continue his rehab on the farm. He first became interested in farming as a form of recreational therapy for his spinal cord injuries in 2008. He holds a Masters of Fine Arts from the Institute of American Indian Arts and when not farming works with Diversability Leadership Collective. The body is designed to move, and Neil is always moving.