When purchasing produce or meat , consumers often have little certainty about where it came from or how fresh it is . As more West Virginians recognize this , an increasing number are turning to locally sourced food .
Food that is raised or grown on local Mountain State farms is handled with exceptional care from experienced , educated farmers who have the best interests of their customers in mind . Through their work , they are fostering healthy lifestyles and stronger communities and combatting problems like food insecurity .
Frank Ford , co-owner of Mountain Steer Meat Company in Lewisburg , WV , says his family farm has been essential for him and his business partner , James Tuckwiller , in learning important values and supporting their families .
“ James and I were fortunate enough to be taught by our dads about livestock husbandry , caring for the land and so much more ,” Ford says . “ The lessons we learned about dedication , business , life and death and perseverance cannot be found outside of a family farm . The family farm is not a job ; it is our lifestyle .”
Natasha Zoe , operations manager for JarHead Farms in Alderson , WV , explains that locally grown food can be picked ripe and doesn ’ t need to be shipped across the country or globe , reducing the need for chemicals . As the area ’ s only u-pick farm and host of a mobile market , the farm serves Monroe , Mercer , Greenbrier and Summers counties .
Photo by Jarhead Farms .
Being so deeply intertwined with their communities , family farms often build special relationships with the customers they work hard to nurture . Holly Morgan , executive director of the West Virginia Farmers Market Association ( WVFMA ), an organization that supports and promotes farmers markets , says this gives farmers a strong sense of responsibility to their land and their people .
“ This level of transparency and trust is a hallmark of family farms , setting them apart from larger operations ,” Morgan says . “ By fostering these personal connections , family farms not only provide fresh , local produce but also strengthen the bond between the farm and the community .”
Not only do local farms give customers a chance to see the intricate process of their food being made , but every purchase made from a family farm is dire to the business .
Tammy Jordan , president of Fruits of Labor Inc ., says
getting to know local farmers helps people understand the amount of work put into their food and how , by buying from the farms , they are investing in the challenges these farms face .
Locally sourced food keeps money within the state , directly supporting farm operations in West Virginia , ensuring the continued growth of vital agricultural efforts and sustaining the essential work of family farms . Many times , this involves the employment and education of the next generation of farmers .
Eli Cook , owner of the Spring Valley Farm Market in Romney and Martinsburg , WV , Winchester , VA , and Washington , D . C ., says his farm contributes to the economy by offering high school students hard but high-paying work .
“ They have the opportunity to work for us and go to the markets in the city ,” Cook says . “ They can work Saturday and Sunday . They are long days , 3 a . m . to 3 p . m ., but they have the opportunity to make $ 350 in two days working for us .”
Many of these students have gone on to work at the company for as long as five years , and Cook has seen them go on to be some of the most successful professionals in the area .
One of Fruits of Labor ’ s efforts is supporting those recovering from substance use disorder ( SUD ) by providing services over an extended period that help them recover and integrate back into the workforce . Individuals in recovery or at-risk youth make up 87 % of the staff , and between the third quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2024 , 32 participants have re-entered the workforce because of the program .
“ Our products are thoughtfully prepared by people who are enrolled in agriculture and culinary training ,” Jordan says . “ This training is the cornerstone of our approach to recovery , but other components like a safe environment , intensive personal mentoring and ongoing encouragement provide that holistic , safe ecosystem required for long-term success .”
For Mountain Steer , education involves hosting field trips to the farm ’ s processing plant and supplying West Virginia students with goods . Ford says the farm is working with eight county school systems to provide them with quality beef .
“ These kids need to know where their food comes from so
Photo by Mountain Steer Meat Company .
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