Valley ,” Gilmer says . “ Agriculture is waning in higher education , and we see a need to take a leadership role . Our benchmark will be getting this program built and up and running and bringing other farmers into the mix to form a strong coalition . In the process , we will produce as many potatoes as we can .”
According to Senta Goudy , WVUP dean for civic engagement , the school hopes to offer a two-year degree in agribusiness within the next two years . Currently , the school offers a workforce certificate , and the first five graduates to receive it are now entering the workforce . Even now , WVUP ’ s agribusiness commitments are creating a networking web and local enterprising possibilities .
“ We are using the farm like a giant lab to give students real world experience . We also want to tie in business classes , so students can make a business plan ,” Goudy says .
WVUP is collaborating with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture ’ s Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture program , which provides support and scholarships for veterans and other emergency personnel interested in pursuing agribusiness . Gilmer says veterans at WVUP have been very active volunteering at Riverhawk Farm .
Any member of the WVUP family or the community can volunteer at the farm . The school also hopes to involve those enrolled in local drug rehabilitation programs and provide them with meaningful economic opportunities , a concern shared by West Virginia Potato Chip Company .
“ We are working with our United Way to provide opportunities for people in recovery ,” Goudy says . “ Some people may have trouble getting employment because of their past . Having their own small business may be their best next step .”
As WVUP ’ s agribusiness program takes full shape and the West Virginia Potato Chip Company grows , opportunities for local residents also grow . Ketelsen says she looks forward to new customers and possibly adding more shifts . The agribusiness program has already hired one employee , and as the program blossoms , WVUP anticipates the need to hire more people to support it . Additionally , local interest has been sparked .
“ We had 17 people at our initial meeting representing businesses : a vet ’ s group , the Mother Earth Foods store here in town and Nelson family farms in Jackson County , as well as interested students who had little businesses growing microgreens ,” Goudy says . “ We all identified a need to grow agribusiness in our community .”
Riverhawk Farm utilizes best practices for sustainable farming , and it has plenty of room to grow . So far , the university is utilizing about 10 acres for the partnership . In addition to the chipping potatoes for the West Virginia Potato Chip Company , students at WVUP are selling Riverhawk Farm honey . The school has forged relationships with local restaurants for farm-to-table fruits and vegetables , maintains a bee keeping yard on the farm and , with a third donation , recently planted an apple orchard . The school has also applied for a grant to teach composting .
Wood County is an agricultural area ; however , most farms produce livestock , poultry and products other than crops , according to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture ’ s 2017 census . Wood County ’ s net cash farm income dropped between 2012 and 2017 , but WVUP hopes to help reverse that trend .
“ We have big plans and great ideas ,” Goudy says . “ We would love for people to come and get our two-year degree , but if they need to come and take a class on how to get a business plan , that is fine , too . Right now , farming is usually an avocation rather than a vocation . We want people to find ways to be able to support themselves with their agribusiness , so it is more than a hobby .” •
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