CHESTER, Va.—A Virginia farming family has achieved a groundbreaking accomplishment in sustainable agriculture, earning recognition as pioneers in the regenerative farming movement.
Alan Thibault hosted agricultural leaders, policymakers, and food and wine industry representatives at his family’s Ashton Creek Vineyard in Chester on May 20 to celebrate estate wines, pasture-raised lamb, and a historic achievement in Virginia farming.
Ashton Creek Vineyard and its sister operation Riverside Vines in Dinwiddie County have become Virginia’s first vineyard facilities to earn Certified Regenified status—combining soil health, biodiversity, and animal care into a comprehensive farming approach.
“This distinction reflects a strong commitment to soil health, stewardship and a long-term agricultural sustainability that closely aligns with the mission and conservation priorities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service,” remarked Edwin Martinez, NRCS state conservationist for Virginia.
The NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program, which began in December 2025, is allocating $700 million to support voluntary regenerative agriculture conservation strategies. According to Martinez, the initiative “targets a whole-farm approach while promoting soil health, water management, natural vitality and productivity, and the prosperity of American agriculture and communities.”
Thibault, a first-generation farmer, shared his family’s transformation from “linear to circular farming” while facing growing agricultural obstacles. Starting with their initial grape plantings in 2006 and expanding with additional farmland purchases in Sutherland in 2018, the family battled rising input costs and deteriorating soil conditions.
“We really wanted to fix the root cause of the sickness instead of always addressing the symptoms,” he explained.
Faced with overwhelming mechanical weeding demands, the Thibaults brought Dormer sheep into their vineyards three years ago to manage vegetation and improve soil quality. With Ashton Creek’s regenerative certified lamb now featured prominently on their tasting room menu, the family has refined their expanding flock of approximately 100 sheep, introduced beneficial insects to combat vineyard pests, and expanded their cover crop varieties.
Beyond witnessing improved biodiversity in their fields, stronger young vines, and better nutrient content in their sheep, the Thibaults have successfully eliminated synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, reduced fungicide applications by 40%, minimized mowing and labor requirements, cut outside inputs by 65%, and boosted their soil’s organic matter by 400% and carbon sequestration by 350%.
“We’re really excited to build something that we feel can be sustainable for the next generation,” Thibault reflected. “And we’re not going to stop at this certification. We want to continue to improve that organic matter and capture more carbon, be that difference in the climate and community, and produce products that everyone can be proud of.”
AJ Greely, president of the Virginia Vineyards Association, referenced the devastating impacts of the April 21 freeze on vineyards throughout the state.
“Regenerative farming ultimately leads to stronger vineyards—ones that will move forward and flourish despite the challenges we face,” she added. “Now it’s time for the next generation to step up, and Alan is part of that next generation that’s going to lead us more sustainably.”
Serving as co-chair of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Chesterfield County Young Farmers Committee, Thibault helps guide emerging agricultural leaders from the community level. He recently hosted young farmers from throughout the state at Ashton Creek Vineyard for a VFBF Young Farmers Winter Expo networking dinner.
“A first-generation farmer who started one way but then figured out what was going to work for his operation, and being a pioneer in regenerative agriculture—something that’s still being looked at—is significant,” remarked VFBF President Scott Sink. “Our Farm Bureau leaders are always pioneering, and it’s just great to be able to support him in that journey.”
