In 1979 Eric Cox and his wife Gina Richard purchased 116 acres in western Fairfax County. Having founded Cox farms with his brother seven years previously, the new property was considered by some to be too remote to be successful.

More than 30 years later, Fairfax County has grown around them, and Cox Farms have been a go-to place for outdoor recreation and locally grown produce.

“There’s always a reason to come by Cox Farm, for anything you need during the year,” said Amy Burke of Manassas, who visited the farm’s Corner Market recently. “We get our Christmas trees here in the winter, I get flowers for my mother and sisters in the Spring, we buy produce here in the summer and try to come to the Fall Festival every year.”

Burke is one of thousands of people who have come to the farm since 1983, when Eric Cox’s decision to give a hayride to a local group led to the creation of the Fall Festival.

Cox and Richard were honored by Supervisor Michael Frey (R-Sully) on Tuesday, June 4, as Lord and Lady Fairfax from the district. The annual recognition is given to a man and woman each year by each supervisor for their community efforts.

“In addition to growing and selling their own produce, Cox Farms supports numerous community initiatives,” Frey said. “They lend tremendous support to Westfield and Chantilly High School. Each year they help Westfield’s Mulch Day fundraiser by providing trucks and drivers to haul the mulch. In addition, they purchase program advertisements an allow theater boosters from both schools to use the farm property to promote upcoming theater shows.”

Cox and Richard currently run the farm with their three children Lily, Aaron and Lucas.