go back after trying farm-fresh meat for the first time .
“ The chain has been broken , and more people are reaching out to farmers markets , butcher shops and farmers for their groceries because they want fresh ,” he says . “ The more our consumers want farm-fresh beef , the more cattle we process and the more West Virginia farmers benefit .”
Fruits of Labor continues to grow its education , training and employment opportunities to support recovery efforts of students with SUD . Jordan says that since the farm began 23 years ago , there has been a surge of communities wanting fresh products and local businesses that purchase that product .
Farmers markets have also grown exponentially , as the West Virginia Department of Agriculture says markets have grown from 97 in 2019 to around 300 today . Morgan says as this number continues to grow , the WVFMA ’ s focus on sustainable agriculture and economic growth does as well .
“ We want to support these markets as they navigate product regulation , vendor and community relations and other issues that markets may face ,” she says .
For West Virginia , these farms provide more than just produce and meat — they offer education , employment and community support . As these farms continue to thrive , they ’ re meeting a rising need for sustainable , locally grown products while strengthening the bond between the land and the people who rely on it . •
Photo by WVFMA .
WWW . WVEXECUTIVE . COM FALL 2024 69