Organic Farmer Finds Roots In Family
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While picking beets for a local restaurant with her youngest daughter, Brenna, may look like an early afternoon chore, it is an everyday passion for Sheri. Trails End Farm has been family owned and operated by the Cantrells for 12 years and provides work, sustenance and a home to the family.
As Sheri walks along the farm, she is able to name every herb, produce and plant that grows on the grounds. Herbs like marjoram, mint and basil are stored in the greenhouse along the side of the house. Peppers and turnips grow around the trail that leads to the main house.
Sheri’s enthusiasm for the outdoors started at a young age. As a child her family moved around often, but the one thing that remained constant was a family garden in the backyard. That idea of a growing your own food has expanded into Trail’s End Farm.
“I’ve always wanted to live off the land and be sustainable,” said Sheri.Sheri, her husband and children wake up early to pick produce (even in the rain) while the weather is still cool, and clean and prepares it for distribution around the Richmond community.
Sheri started selling her produce at the Ashland farmers market with her kids in tow and has since expanded to supplying local restaurants, food stores and co-ops. She has worked to build a relationship with the markets and customers.
Homegrown food is not just a source of income for Sheri, it is also a way of eating and producing foods without chemicals, ensuring that they are safe. She considers herself an organic farmer; there is not a single pesticide or chemical in sight of the fresh produce.
Sheri encourages individuals to try growing food for themselves. “Just dig up a patch of grass and dig up some compost and plant what you like.”
Working on the farm goes hand in hand with Sheri’s other job, being a mom to five children. With this in mind, Sheri helped start the kids’ market at the Ashland farmers market, which allows kids, including Sheri’s own, to sell their products, like lemonade, crafts and T-shirts. When it comes to her own “awesome” kids (Sierra, Kristen, Rachel, Brenna, Jared), Sheri lights up. All five of the Cantrell children help out on the farm, each one with a job that they enjoy doing.
Sheri Cantrell is in a unique position as one of the few female famers in the area. For Sheri there is no other place she would rather be than outdoors working off the land.
“I’d much rather [work on the farm] and have the flexibility.... I can be with my kids.”
When asked how people react when she tells them she is an organic farmer, she explains that many people are interested but don’t realize the hard work that goes into it.
“You have to like being outdoors. You have to like sweating, and get your hands dirty.”
Sheri has helped other local women start their own raise-beds and even had a few volunteer at the farm. She also believes it is important to be local: “buy in season, buy local, help support your local farmer.”
Sheri is more than self-sufficient: not only is she able to grow food, she also makes soap and lip
balm, and has even dabbled in homemade cleaning products. Herbs like mint just need a quick rub to help with her family’s allergies or a little bit of fresh picked aloe is useful for cuts and can be used in smoothies.
When Sheri is not on the farm, she is spending time with her family, often hiking or floating along South Anna River. She also keeps up with organic farming by reading trade magazines to find what will be sprouting up next on the farm. Trail’s End Farm lives up to its name, because at the end of the trail is where the Cantrells call home.
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Jessica Coates is a Journalism student at Virginia Commonwealth University. She enjoys writing about the community and the diverse people living around us. Jessica can be contacted at
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