Welcome to Sprouting Farms
Sprouting Farms Appalachian Croft and Training Center is a four-season non-profit farm and education and resource center located in Summers County WV. We believe that long-lasting impact is created by training new farmers in quality and sustainable production techniques, and by providing shared resources and educational opportunities to the whole farm community.
Our 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.
Our 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.
The farm.
Sprouting Farms is an innovative approach to enhancing local food systems within the rural Appalachian context. The project combines education, resource sharing, land access, and food production models to support new & beginning farmers, launch farm businesses, jump start wholesale market channels, help nurture the farming community, and encourage farm and business sustainability.
All the Tools You Need to Succeed
About us.
"Our goal here is to help people, to facilitate new agricultural
businesses in the state of West Virginia .”
- Alex Ogrinz, Farm Manager
Established in 2017Sprouting Farms has been in the works since 2014 with a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant to fund the feasibility and business model. Since then, Sprouting Farms was awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant and also received support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the One Foundation to launch Spring 2017.
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Our GoalSprouting Farms seeks to develop new and existing farm businesses and increase local food production in the New and Greenbrier River Valleys by laying the groundwork for sustainable farm businesses.
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Our Vision
We envision a future where there are new and beginning farmers thriving in the New and Greenbrier River Valley regions. New and existing farms have access to the key business education and training needed to support their farm endeavors, and individuals all have access to the land and growing space solution that helps them build their assets, capital, and farm businesses. We see a future where local food is served not just at home but also in local schools and institutions, in local grocery stores, and throughout our community. We hope to create fair employment opportunities and encourage farm planning for sustainable production. We envision a vibrant farm community, preserving agricultural heritage and supporting farmer-to-farmer relationships and knowledge transfer for the generations to come.
Our Team
Alex Ogrinz
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Lucas Hilsbos
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Fritz Boettner
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Beth Ryan
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Hane Regan
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Brad Curtis
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Shae Chico
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Ashley Smith
Farm Crew Ashley’s studies in Biology and Sustainability at Berea College have helped her develop a mindful approach to farming. She spent half of her life in Alaska, before moving with her family to farm in WV. Her upbringing in Alaska and rural Appalachia have instilled sustainability and self-sustenance as core values in her life. She’s also kind of obsessed with vegetables.
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