Cultivating an Equitable Food SystemAt Sprouting Farms, we believe that where our food comes from—and how we get it—matters. Food is many things. It’s a method of passing on traditions, making memories, and bringing people together around the same table. Of course, it’s also the literal stuff that keeps us in motion‚ that sustains us in our day-to-day life. In much the same way, farms play a crucial role in sustaining the many systems of which we’re all a part. They’re spaces of transformation where livelihoods and futures are forged. |
Sprouting Farms is more than just a farmWe’re a group of farmers, educators, advocates, and entrepreneurs who’re in the business of growing farms, as well as increasing food access and feeding people good food. By providing producers with critical training and resources and building connections to local markets, we’re planting the seeds of a healthier, stronger, and more sustainable future—both for those who grow and those who eat. |
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Our VisionWhen West Virginia’s farms and farmers have the tools they need to nourish our communities with food grown from the land we live on, our entire region will thrive.
Community
Since the beginning of time, food has been a force that brings people together. More than nourishment for our bodies, it’s the building block of healthy families and communities. Knowing this to be true, we’re working to shape and nurture a future where local food is served not just at home but also in schools, institutions, and grocery stores throughout the region. Equity
Every farmer deserves to be paid a living wage. And every West Virginian, regardless of income level, has a right to healthy, local food. That’s why, at Sprouting Farms, we’re all about creating access: access to land, markets, and capital, access to fair employment opportunities, and access to affordable, locally-grown food. Innovation
The desire (and need!) for nutritious food, produced here at home in West Virginia, has never been greater. In fact, right now, supply can’t meet demand. We aim to bring locally-grown food to all West Virginia families by providing the education, training, and resources required to support sustainable farm businesses and increase local food production statewide. |
Our MissionWith the demand for nutritious, locally-grown food steadily on the rise in West Virginia, opportunities for agricultural and economic development are plentiful. Through programs that combine education, business support, resource sharing, and land, market, and food access, we seek to develop new and existing farm businesses and increase sustainable food production statewide. Ultimately, our objective is to grow regional prosperity by supporting the growth and success of local agriculture—thereby creating more well-paying jobs and ensuring that all West Virginians, regardless of income level, can enjoy healthy, local food.
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Our Team
April KoenigExecutive Director
april@sproutingfarms.org April is a transplant to WV, relocating here with her young family to start their own farm business. She has a background in nursing and brings her enthusiasm for health and wellness to her role as co-director. April was inspired to join the Sprouting Farms project because she saw the need for economic development for small farmers and wanted to be a part of a solution.
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Doug KoenigFarm Manager/Education Coordinator
doug@sproutingfarms.org Doug came to WV to start a family farm after 11 years in the armed forces. He works to share his knowledge and passion with others to help create a just food system within his community and across Central Appalachia. When Doug is not farming, you can find him on biking and hiking trails or in a river with his family.
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Lucas SharpeAssistant Farm Manager/Production Manager
lucassharpe@sproutingfarms.org Lucas Sharpe is originally from Deltaville, VA. After a seven year career in the maritime industry, he made the decision to try his hand at farming. He started a small farm in Virginia and went through a beginner farming program coordinated by the Small Farms Outreach Program through the Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia State University. Life led him to West Virginia, and he is honored to be a part of such an amazing team here at Sprouting Farms!
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Marcus McGuireFarm Crew
marcus@sproutingfarms.org Marcus recently finished high school in summers county, after playing football as number 6 for four years. As a native of the region, Marcus is excited to join our crew in order to learn new skills in organic farming practices and farming equipment management.
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Beth RyanFood Access Coordinator
beth@sproutingfarms.org Beth completed her graduate work in Geography at WVU, while working with the WVU Food Justice Lab. Today she works to support Sprouting Farms’ mission of providing healthy food to local communities.
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John Archer
Farm Crew
john@sproutingfarms.org John Archer has 26 years of experience in mechanics. He took two years of training in collision repair. At Sprouting Farm John is working on vehicle and tractor maintenance. John finds the atmosphere and outdoors nature of his work to be a pleasure.
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Board of Directors
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Eric Fitts
Eric is the Director of Bethlehem Farm (bethlehemfarm.net), a small Catholic nonprofit in Clayton, WV. Bethlehem hosts groups of high school and college volunteers on service-retreats. Bethlehem Farm has a mission to transform lives through service with the local community and the teaching of sustainable practices. Eric has 17 years of experience in agriculture and local food systems. He has a Masters in Public Administration with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from West Virginia University, which afforded him a strong base of knowledge and robust professional network in the region. Annie Stroud Board President Annie grew up on a sheep farm in Greenbrier County WV and is currently Project Manager for the Buzz Food Service Appalachian Abattoir in Charleston WV. She has expertise in local food systems research and assessment, resource access, rural business development, business and implementation planning, and farm business service through her past work with Downstream Strategies and the Value-Chain Cluster Initiative. She was a founding team member of Sprouting Farms and is humbled to be back serving as Board President. Ashley Matheny Ashley Matheny is a Master’s level licensed psychologist who works primarily with adults suffering from substance abuse. Ms. Matheny previously worked in Logan, WV and has recently taken employment with Coplin Health in Wirt and Jackson County. While In Logan, WV Ms. Matheny assisted one facilitating the development of the Fresh Start program which pairs substance abuse treatment with gardening opportunities. |
Spencer Moss
Spencer’s roots in agriculture run deep and family happenstance has committed her to supporting those who want to feed their communities and enjoy farming as a livelihood find the resources to do so. After spending two years developing food security projects in central and southern Appalachia, she joined the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition in 2015, where she now serves as the Executive Director. Spencer holds a B.S. in Communications from Missouri Western State University and a Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Local Governance and Community Development from West Virginia University. Ture' M. Johnson Ture' M. Johnson is the proud parent of two; David and Faith, married 10 years to his lovely wife Jade. Ture' is a graduate of West Virginia State University and Marshall University Graduate School with a degree in Adult and Continuing Education. He has been with KISRA for 12 years and in his current position for 5 years. In those 12 years he has had the opportunity to instruct and facilitate more than 10 different curricula, become a statewide trainer in Parenting Inside Out, an evidenced based curriculum, and be trained as a motivational interviewer. He has taught inside correctional facilities as well as in the community setting. He has 10 years of experience in teaching and facilitation. He is currently the Assistant Manager of Paradise Farms. Mary Legg |
Job Opportunities |
Sprouting Farms Corp, a 501c3 charitable organization, seeks an Executive Director with vision and passion to lead the organization in its service to the food and agriculture community in West Virginia. Sprouting Farms’ Executive Director should have a strong understanding of sustainable agriculture, food system development, food justice challenges and initiatives, economic development, and multi-sector collaboration that are emphasized within our programs.
This is a full-time position that requires a heavy presence in West Virginia. The successful candidate will have at least five years of combined experience in the designated responsibility areas, and be willing to travel on behalf of Sprouting Farms approximately 10 percent of the time. They are someone who works well within a team and is adaptable to working as a part of a geographically diverse group of highly motivated and dedicated employees.
The deadline for applying for this position is April 30, 2022. Please send materials to sproutingfarmsboardofdirectors@gmail.com.
View full job description here.
This is a full-time position that requires a heavy presence in West Virginia. The successful candidate will have at least five years of combined experience in the designated responsibility areas, and be willing to travel on behalf of Sprouting Farms approximately 10 percent of the time. They are someone who works well within a team and is adaptable to working as a part of a geographically diverse group of highly motivated and dedicated employees.
The deadline for applying for this position is April 30, 2022. Please send materials to sproutingfarmsboardofdirectors@gmail.com.
View full job description here.
Sprouting Farms Corp, a 501c3 charitable organization, seeks an Education Farm Manager with vision and passion to lead the incubator and education farm in its service to the food and agriculture community in West Virginia.
The Education Farm Manager is a full-time, salaried position located at the Talcott production farm and reporting to the Executive Director. The position will require indoor and outdoor work in all seasons and weather conditions. It will also require some weekend work and the ability to lift 50 pounds. The successful candidate will have at least five years of combined experience in the designated responsibility areas, and be willing to travel on behalf of Sprouting Farms approximately 10 percent of the time. They are someone who works well within a team and is adaptable to working as a part of a geographically diverse group of highly motivated and dedicated partner organizations.
The deadline for applying for this position is April 30, 2022. Please send materials to sproutingfarmsboardofdirectors@gmail.com and admin@sproutingfarms.org.
View full job description here.
The Education Farm Manager is a full-time, salaried position located at the Talcott production farm and reporting to the Executive Director. The position will require indoor and outdoor work in all seasons and weather conditions. It will also require some weekend work and the ability to lift 50 pounds. The successful candidate will have at least five years of combined experience in the designated responsibility areas, and be willing to travel on behalf of Sprouting Farms approximately 10 percent of the time. They are someone who works well within a team and is adaptable to working as a part of a geographically diverse group of highly motivated and dedicated partner organizations.
The deadline for applying for this position is April 30, 2022. Please send materials to sproutingfarmsboardofdirectors@gmail.com and admin@sproutingfarms.org.
View full job description here.
We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic candidates interested in farming and food production. Interns will learn all aspects of growing, including seeding, planting/transplanting, cultivating, harvesting, packing, digital record keeping, etc. The internship is paid and can last between three to five months between May and September. Please apply here.
View full job description here.
View full job description here.
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Sprouting Farms
4661 Rt 3 & 12 Talcott WV, 24981 (304) 466 5175 Check out our latest events on Facebook. |
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