This is Our Story
FarmHand was started by farmers for farmers. Our co-founders, Dominic and Riley Silva, are pictured here with the wreckage from the 2024 tornado. What seemed like the end would grow into a beautiful beginning.
2024
March - Dominic and Riley Silva take over the management of Red Barn Farm located on our current property. This farm business was privately owned by philanthropist and businessman, Matt O’Reilly.
May - During Memorial Day weekend tornado producing storms ripped through northwest Arkansas. These storms leveled Red Barn Farm’s high tunnels, damaged the greenhouse, destroyed hundreds of feet of fence, tore through and dropped many trees, and ruined 90% of the farm’s crop.
September - Red Barn Farm’s owner decides to retire the business. Dominic and Riley begin to think of how they could keep the farm from going fallow. Matt O’Reilly encourages them to take over the lease on the farm property. They submit a proposal and wait. The dreaming and planning begins.
2025
February - FarmHand is given permission to lease the property and achieves its non-profit status!
March - Our first farmers join us - Blooming Hope Mushrooms. Lucy and Rodrigo grow oyster mushrooms in the farmhouse and teach others how to grow their own in workshops.
August - Farmers Ciera and Philip Nelson of Orthodox Homesteading join the FarmHand incubator and begin growing delicious specialty Japanese fruits and vegetables.
September - East of Eden Farm begins operations! Bradley and Julia Gavrielides break ground growing Asian vegetables for their kimchi food company.
November - FarmHand launches its Food Access programming and works to help connect local farmers to hungry neighbors. They start on Veteran’s Day by feeding 200 meals alongside The Hive @ 21c Bentonville.