“ I noticed immediately upon joining the Mid-Ohio Valley community how rich this area is with high-quality nonprofit arts organizations in drama , music , painting , dance and so many other areas .”
of Mister Bee Potato Chip Co ., and were able to obtain a grant to grow their first crop of potatoes in West Virginia soil .
While the pandemic continues , the collaborative continues to work on grants that will allow them to occupy empty downtown spaces and create artist incubators when it is safe to gather again . In the meantime , they will work on virtual events like the previous heARTS of the Mid-Ohio Valley Variety Show .
“ Every Friday night through the first few months of the pandemic , we provided some sort of heARTS programming ,” says Goudy . “ The Smoot had recorded videos that we dropped in , The Actors Guild provided vignettes , and we hosted live interviews and performances from local artists like Todd Burge . We were able to help these organizations receive some recognition during COVID and many went on to continue hosting their own virtual events throughout the year .”
While the Arts Collaborative of the Mid-Ohio Valley is in full gear , spring brings forth another opportunity in the Riverhawk Farm .
“ The happiest days of my childhood were spent on the small farm of my paternal grandparents , helping my grandfather tend the livestock and my grandmother harvest the vegetables in the garden ,” says Gilmer . “ Well , I am not sure if I really helped or mostly got in the way , but I know that I loved it and that it formed me into the person I am . Agriculture , therefore , is very important to me , and one of the things that brought me to WVU Parkersburg was the promise of bringing Riverhawk Farm back into service .”
Riverhawk Farm is located just a short drive from the college ’ s main campus . Sitting on 25 acres , the farm will facilitate a farm-to-table initiative that benefits local food pantries with fresh produce , a bee keeping yard , an apple orchard and hobby farming to benefit workforce development . In addition , the farm will produce West Virginia potatoes at least once per year for Mister Bee Potato Chips , headquartered in Parkersburg .
“ Through the generosity and the vision of Mary Anne Ketelsen to make Mister Bee Potato Chip Co . with locally grown potatoes , we are seeing that dream come to fruition ,” says Gilmer . “ We are also planning to add academic offerings in agribusiness so that area farmers can enhance their skills sets in marketing , accounting , business management and other areas that are necessary to make small family farms a success .”
Goudy reached out to Dr . Billy Stone , a business faculty member at the college , who helped write a business plan for the production of the West Virginia potatoes . They took the plan to Ketelsen , owner
A bee keeping yard will also be part of the farm . Currently , the Workforce and Economic Development division hosts two levels of bee keeping courses , but with the addition of the bee yard and in cooperation with the local beekeepers ’ association , Goudy is hoping to create upper level classes as well .
Education remains a key part of the farm ’ s commitment to the community as the curriculum for the two-year program in sustainable and restorative agriculture is rebuilt . The curriculum will focus not only on job creation in the area but also on being responsible stewards of the land .
“ As a community college , we must always focus on the meaning intended for us — to be part of our community , to assist our community and to help fulfill the needs of our community ,” says Vice President for Institutional Advancement Torie Jackson .
Overall , both projects seek to exemplify the work being done at WVU Parkersburg as it continues to put the community first . The farm will provide fresh produce to the area food pantries , and the arts will see more participation from the community .
“ Offering more opportunities for our organizations and businesses in the Mid- Ohio Valley can always have many ripple effects ,” says Jackson . “ As we allow a local business to grow its own food or as we assist our arts organizations in a unified attempt to enhance the arts , we can only imagine the potential these endeavors will have for our community as a whole . Even if it helps one , it is always worth the attention of your local community college .”
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION