Partners | Food Justice in Appalachia | West Virginia University

Turnrow Operational Partners

These organizations support Turnrow operations each week in some way or another. Some operate facilities, manage staff, drive trucks, support farm aggregation and distribution. These are organizations that fund and support Turnrow each week. These partners in addition to supporting Turnrow operations are also resource centers for their regions connecting with producers and buyers on the ground. They are the ones helping to connect farmers with the necessary resources they need to engage with Turnrow and other market channels too.

Sprouting Farms, Talcott, WV

In addition to supporting TR operations they also grow food for Online Farmers Market (FM) and Wholesale outlets (WHS).

Sprouting Farms is a four-season non-profit farm and education and resource center located in Summers County, WV. By combining education, resource sharing, land access, and food production, SF develops new and existing farm businesses and increases local food production in the New and Greenbrier River Valleys. SF programs provide farmers with sound business management and production skills, hands-on apprenticeship and mentorship, and the land and resources necessary to launch and refine their farm businesses.

Sprouting Farms, Talcott, WV

New Roots Community Farm is a collaborative multi-farm movement to build a more just and diverse agricultural system for the New River Gorge region. We hope to increase the number and viability of local farms through a robust land access and tenure program in partnership with the Agrarian Commons. Through market development work with Turnrow Appalachian Farm Collective, farmers are ensured to have stable and informed local markets. New Roots grows a diversity in vegetables and also provides demonstrations and training for farmers while supporting retail and wholesale markets for farmers to sell their products.

“I continue to grow motivation with the aspired community we have planted roots in. It is amazing and humbling to see how open and supportive this community has been over the last year. Everyone who visits and volunteers at New Roots Community Farm is as excited as we are and that is the kind of interest and support that we need to continue to cultivate our goals in changing the food system in West Virginia.” - Dina Hornbaker, New Roots Community Farm

Refresh Appalachia/Coalfield Development

Since 2010, Refresh Appalachia/Coalfield Development has focused on rebuilding the Appalachian economy from the ground up. We believe in developing the potential of Appalachia through the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. By; incubating and investing in employment-based social enterprises; facilitating professional, personal and academic development for people facing barriers to employment; and leading and collaborating on community-based revitalization projects.

“What keeps me motivated is the end result of making a more sustainable food system for my community.”
- Joseph A Lobaldo, Refresh Appalachia, Huntington, WV

KISRA-Paradise Farms, Dunbar, WV

In addition to supporting TR operations they also grow food for Online FM and WHS outlets. Paradise Farms was established in 2012 as one component of KISRA’s Growing Jobs Project. The Growing Jobs Project is a fresh, new way in which KISRA is making a positive difference in our community. It’s a farm-to-table program that, in addition to job creation, is encouraging entrepreneurship, and giving people access to fresh, locally grown produce for a healthier lifestyle.

Garrett Growers Cooperative, Mountain Lake Park, MD

In addition to supporting TR operations they also grow food for WHS outlets. Garrett Growers is legally incorporated as a producer’s cooperative (Co-op), which means that the business is owned by the farmers it serves. We’re democratically controlled 100% by farmers; we have officers and a Board of Directors who are farmers.

“Our coop exists to help our farmers sell more fresh produce, help their farms stay viable, and help more people access local healthy foods.” - Charles DeBerry, Garrett Growers, Oakland, Garrett, Maryland

Grow Ohio Valley, Wheeling, WV

In addition to supporting TR operations they also grow food for WHS outlets. Grow Ohio Valley is working to fashion a new economic landscape, one offering increased prosperity, improved health and a better environment. In that landscape you’ll see: Vacant city lots become fertile and productive; School children who think it is “normal” to grow and eat healthy food; Grocery stores and Mobile Markets that carry locally-produced foods, creating market opportunities for local farmers; School cafeterias that serve vegetables from schoolyard gardens and local farms; A rural landscape dominated by thriving family farms; Backyard and community gardens as the rule, rather than the exception; New entrepreneurs and jobs emerging in the local food industry, where success is independent of background and 100% dependent on work ethic; Widespread access to low-cost, healthy vegetables, even in low-income neighborhoods.

“My love for nature and teaching future generations about growing food in collaboration with nature.”

-Sarah Stec, Grow Ohio Valley, Wheeling, WV

Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics, Kermit, WV

In addition to supporting TR operations they also grow food for Online FM and WHS outlets. Built on former mine land, Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics Center utilizes a proven, state-of-the- art aquaponics system to produce high quality lettuce and tilapia, distributing these products to consumers throughout Mingo County and beyond.

Lewis County Farmers Market, Weston, WV

“The drive to increase consumption of West Virginia grown food will not work without West Virginia farmers growing the food and West Virginia farmers will not be around to grow anything if they are not profitable. So, we are driven by activities that will help make farmers in our market more profitable.” - Bruce Loyd, Lewis County Farmers Market, Weston, WV

Center for Resilient Communities, Morgantown, WV

The WVU Center for Resilient Communities is a learning laboratory, a field station, an experimental space and a makeshop for action research and community transformation.

The Center for Resilient Communities fosters the development of grassroots, ground-up, enlightened strategies to address our most pressing problems. We aim to cultivate a diverse network of grassroots leaders, scholars and students who are committed to advancing just, equitable and resilient communities in West Virginia and around the world.”

Capitol Market, Charleston, WV

Nonprofit farmers market and social hub featuring an eclectic mix of indoor and outdoor shops offering fresh meat, fish, produce, coffee, wine, beer, cheese, chocolates, a variety of West Virginia-made products and Soho’s, one of the city’s most popular restaurants.

Forty WV growers are featured seasonally, providing produce, flowers and plants, pumpkins, and Christmas trees.

Appalachian Sustainable Development - Appalachian Harvest, Bristol, VA

ASD addresses workforce and economic development, food insecurity and community building and health through 6 strategies: education, increasing local food production, developing markets, increasing distribution of local agriculture products, engaging strategic partners and researching/consulting and advising. ASD is passionate about ensuring that rural communities can become viable once again and we feel that agriculture strategies can play a key role.

Greenville Farm Kitchen Monroe County, WV

The Greenville Farm Kitchen is an FDA-approved food processing facility located in Monroe County, WV, in the former Greenville High School cafeteria. We’re a non-profit organization working under Sprouting Farms, our parent organization, and in partnership with the Turnrow Appalachian Farm Collective. We process fresh, local food products that are sold through the Turnrow Online Farmer’s Market, and in support of Turnrow’s partnership with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture Farm to School program. Monroe County farmers who sell through Turnrow’s online market leave their products at our location for distribution throughout West Virginia, and Monroe County customers who buy products through the Turnrow Online Market pick up their orders here.