DCLS Digs In: A Hands-on Day at Shalom Farms
July 22, 2026
The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) got a jump start on our month of service by trading lab coats for dirt and sunshine during a volunteer day at Shalom Farms, a nonprofit dedicated to improving access to healthy food across Central Virginia. Employees spent the day harvesting okra, preparing garden beds, and toured the farm’s test garden – an area where new crops are trailed to determine whether they are viable for larger-scale production. While sampling delicious fresh, sun-ripened blueberries, staff learned how these small experimental plots help guide future planting decisions.
Volunteers also joined one of Shalom Farms’ weekly traditions: Tarp Tuesday. As part of the farm’s sustainable weed-control practices, DCLS employees helped lay tarps across two garden beds to kill off weeds in preparation for fall planting. The group then weeded another bed to prepare it for new crops and wrapped up the day by planting cilantro.
Working alongside Shalom Farms, the team gained firsthand insight into how the organization grows and distributes thousands of pounds of fresh food each year to local families. The hands-on work offered a meaningful reminder of the impact that community-focused organizations can have—and how volunteer support helps make that work possible.
Beyond the physical tasks, the day strengthened connections among colleagues and deepened DCLS’s commitment to service. Employees left tired but energized, proud to contribute to the mission of promoting a healthier, safer world through quality laboratory service. The volunteer day at Shalom Farms wasn’t just about farming; it was about showing up for the community. And DCLS employees did exactly that. The team walked away inspired, united by a new mantra that captured the spirit of the day: “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”