The soundtrack of the Sunshine Honey Farm starts the moment you step on the property. Chickens clucking, turkeys gobbling, cows mooing, bees buzzing, and somewhere in the distance, there’s a dairy cow named Jolene (yes, like the song) setting the tone for the experience ahead.
Sunshine Honey Farm is a family-owned, 10-acre farm off of Lonesome Road in Nokesville, specializing in locally raised meats, fresh eggs, seasonal produce, and baked goods. But what they’re offering is something you can’t just package up on a shelf: the opportunity to connect with people, animals, and stories behind your food.
Andrew and Nina Fleischauer, owners of Sunshine Honey Farm, purchased the farm back in 2018 with a simple vision: raise chickens, keep bees, and grow a garden together. But when the COVID-19 pandemic gave them a little more time on their hands, they decided to go all in on farm life. Before long, pigs, sheep, and one very opinionated dairy cow named Jolene joined the family.
The couple’s background couldn’t be more different, yet they complement each other perfectly. Andrew is an executive chef at Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda, Maryland, where his passion for high-quality ingredients naturally carry over to the farm. Nina, a longtime Prince William County resident, works at a surgical center. She is equally passionate about the farm and creating a place where people can experience agriculture firsthand.
They both spoke about how fellow farmers encouraged them to hold onto their full-time jobs as long as possible before jumping straight into farming full-time. Looking back, they believe the balance of both careers is what laid the foundation for Sunshine Honey Farm’s success.
In 2021, they decided to sell their vegetables from their garden, along with Andrew’s homemade baked goods, at a small farm stand to help offset the costs of the farm life. What started as a simple roadside stand has grown into a destination where visitors can shop for locally raised pork, beef, chicken, eggs, honey, baked goods, seasonal produce, and more. Better yet, you can stick around for a guided farm tour to meet the animals and experience the farm life firsthand.
“Farming has become a way of life for our family,” said Nina. “Prince William County has been an incredible place to grow our business, and the support we received from the county has made a real difference.”
Sunshine Honey Farms successfully secured an Agriculture and Forestry Development (AFID) Infrastructure Grant in early 2025, matched by Prince William County for a total investment of $49,450.
Their two children have grown up alongside the animals, learning responsibility, confidence, and leadership skills. As Nina shared, those conversations with farm visitors have helped shape them into confident leaders. Of course, having a few dozen furry and feathered coworkers probably helps.
"Working with Nina and Andrew has been incredibly rewarding because they're constantly looking for ways to grow while staying true to who they are," said Clarice Grove, Senior Business Retention and Expansion Manager for PWCDEDT. "When businesses can expand and create experiences that invite people to connect with our agricultural community, it benefits not only the farm itself, but also our local economy."
Every chicken, pig, sheep, turkey, cow, and beehive is raised with genuine care, and it is shared with every visitor who steps onto the farm.
Nina and Andrew realize that every animal has a personality. The pigs are surprisingly like dogs, and the turkeys enthusiastically gobble back at anyone willing to start a conversation with them.
And then there was Jolene, the farm’s dairy cow.
Named after the famous Dolly Parton song, Jolene, according to Nina and Andrew, absolutely believes she’s the main character.
“Jolene definitely knows she’s a fan favorite,” said Nina. “If she sees someone walk onto the property, she’s already figuring out how to make them stop and say hello.”
As the farm expanded, so did the products, experiences, and need for more space. Their cozy farm stand is still thoughtfully stocked. But as Sunshine Honey Farm has continued to grow, it needs more room to create the experience Nina and Andrew envisioned for their visitors.
“If a customer wants a specific cut of meat, we have to excuse ourselves and walk back to our house to bring it back,” Andrew said. “It works, but it’s definitely not the experience we want people to have."
The AFID grant that Sunshine Honey Farm received in early 2025 is funding a new farm store, creating a convenient space where customers can browse products in a temperature-controlled environment. The store will allow Nina and Andrew to spend less time running back and forth and more time doing what they love most: connecting with the people who visit their farm. The new farm store is now open, with an official grand opening planned once the final signage and finishing touches are in place. Follow Sunshine Honey Farm on social media for updates as the project comes to life.
It’s easy to visit Sunshine Honey Farm for everything they have to offer, but you’ll probably leave remembering something else entirely: the conversations with Andrew and Nina, the curious pigs, the gobbling turkeys, and yes… Jolene, who would want to remind you she’s the real star of the farm.
Our visit left us with a much greater appreciation for the work that goes into every jar of honey, every carton of eggs, and every cut of meat… and unfortunately, without a baby sheep. Maybe next time.
Sunshine Honey Farm is currently open Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 10725 Lonesome Rd., Nokesville, VA 20181. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook for updates.