Progress report for ONE24-453
Project Information
This project seeks to provide technical assistance to farmer value-added producers, Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics, and the Mountain State Co-Hops
Cooperative. The ultimate project goal incorporates the knowledge derived from this project into a presentation at the West Virginia Small Farms Conference designed to assist farmers in producing or scaling value-added products from their harvests.
Objective 1: Provide tailored technical assistance and training to three farmer value-added producers to enhance their marketing strategies, assist in developing labels, and ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.
Objective 2: Provide an expert technical assistance coach to Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics, to support the facility in operations management and provide technical assistance in aquaculture, horticulture, and aquaponics in order to ensure long term farm viability.
Objective 3: Provide training support to members of Mountain State Co-Hops Co-operative to undergo training and develop the aggregation and distribution of farm-grown value-added products in partnership with PCAP who will provide a technical service provider.
Need:
West Virginia's agricultural landscape is characterized by small-scale and family-owned farms, three quarters of which gross less than $9,999 in annual sales (West Virginia Department of Agriculture and West Virginia University Extension Services, 2020). Geography, typography, and a history of environmentally extractive industries has left the agricultural industry with significant challenges. As a result of the challenges outlined below, the Coalition is helping farmers create value-added products with their raw agricultural product, as they fetch a higher price point and are shelf stable for longer.
Challenges
- Transportation and Distribution: Logistics pose a significant challenge for small farmers seeking to access statewide and regional markets. Limited access to aggregation and distribution networks has hindered timely and cost-effective delivery of products - this is also partially due to the scale that WV Farmers can produce at. Alternatively, creating shelf-stable value-added products that are branded and marketed as “Appalachian” and are connected to an origin story, as the Coalition is doing through its Value-Added Project, creates a market outside of the state, fetching higher prices for farmers, according to a study developed by Future Generations University.
- Regulatory Compliance: There are multiple major food markets within a nine-hour radius of West Virginia’s borders (e.g. Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York City's metropolitan areas). Small farmers encounter complex regulatory requirements when selling their products across state lines and states may have their own set of regulations regarding food safety, labeling, and packaging, which can be difficult and costly to navigate. Technical assistance can help farmers navigate these regulations.
- Market Access and Competition: Small farmers face stiff competition from larger, more established producers when attempting to access statewide and regional markets. These larger competitors have greater financial resources, marketing capabilities, and brand recognition, making it challenging for small farmers to differentiate their products and attract customers. Limited market access and intense competition can result in small farmers who produce value-added products being overlooked. Strategic marketing is needed to gain traction and visibility to ensure growth and sustainability of small-scale agricultural enterprises.
In 2020, The West Virginia Department of Agriculture and West Virginia University Extension Services conducted a study in which 500 participants completed an agriculture economy survey and over 350 attended regional meetings to inform the creation of the Shared Agenda for Growing West Virginia's Agricultural Economy. The study found that there is a need to connect producers with market opportunities, specifically through providing technical assistance to help producers grow and sell in-demand products and a need to connect producers with each other to coordinate distribution of their commodities. It went on to suggest that producers establish cooperatives to gain more control of the supply chain, lower production costs, and increase profit margin. Co-operatives build the infrastructure needed to grow the agricultural economy. Technical assistance in supply chain management, logistics, transportation, and warehousing operations can ensure that new Co-ops can aggregate, store, and move product efficiently and sustainably (West Virginia Department of Agriculture and West Virginia University Extension Services, 2020). The Coalition has developed a Co-operative of farmers who are working together to sell raw-agricultural products, and more recently, shelf-stable value-added products. The Co-operative, however, has a lot of learning to do to become efficient and effective at distributing products in order to support WV farmers.
Proposed Solution/ Purpose:
Plot to Pantry strengthens West Virginia's rural economies by connecting farmers directly with consumers, assisting in scaling/development of value-added products, and streamlining aggregation and distribution. This initiative enhances food systems, minimizes waste, and boosts farmer profitability through the production of higher-value, shelf-stable goods like canned or preserved items. This project delivers on needed technical assistance for farmer value-added products markers:
- Delivers technical assistance to farmer value-added producers, aiding in marketing strategies and meeting regulatory compliance.
- For the Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics facility, the project provides expert guidance specifically in the realm of improving efficiency and building a sustainable aquaponics business model.
- Additionally, it provides expert guidance to the newly formed Mountain State Co-Hops Co-operative in coordinating aggregation and distribution networks with the aim is to streamline the movement of products along the value chain.
Establishing a distribution network for these products expands market access for small-scale producers and meets consumer demand for local, quality goods, enhancing economic resilience.
NESARE Outcomes Alignment:
This project promotes sustainable aggregation and distribution practices and enhances farm profitability. By assisting farmer value-added producers in marketing strategies and in meeting regulatory compliance, it contributes to improved profitability of farmers and farm businesses. Furthermore, by streamlining aggregation and distribution networks for the Mountain State Co-Hops Co-operative, it addresses increased sustainability of agriculture through reduced environmental impacts (more efficient transportation and distribution) and enhanced economic viability.
Cooperators
Research
Objective 1: Provide tailored technical assistance and training to 3-4 farmer value-added producers to enhance their marketing strategies, develop labels, and meet food safety and regulatory requirements.
Activities:
The West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition (WVFFC) recently welcomed Trey Yates as a Technical Assistance Specialist to support Mountain State CoHops and farmer value-added producers. Trey’s responsibilities include developing aggregation and distribution networks, crafting marketing strategies, and ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.
Key Accomplishments to date:
- Support for Natasha Zoe:
- Provided one-on-one technical support to assist Jar Head in drafting a grant proposal to establish a co-packing facility.
- Collaborated with the farm to map out their current aggregation and distribution networks.
- Connected key staff from Jar Head with the Better Process Control School to enhance their operational capabilities.
- Assistance for Lucas Sieber:
- WVFFC staff consulted Lucas Sieber and provided technical assistance as he applied for a grant aimed at strengthening middle supply chain coordination.
- Offered guidance on compliance with the FSMA.
- Support for Nita Hobbs:
- Facilitated connections with partners to assist Nita Hobbs in developing her product labeling.
- Arranged for her enrollment in the Better Process Control School.
- Planned support in the upcoming grant period to help her secure recipe approvals and connect her with a local co-packer.
- Assistance for Marlana Pennington:
- Supported Marlana’s enrollment in the Better Process Control School.
- Scheduled support for label development in the next quarter.
- Outreach to Additional Farmers:
- The Technical Assistance Specialist initiated contact with other farmers involved in the Mountain State Cohop to assess their needs. .
Objective 2: Provide an expert technical assistance coach to BlueAcre Appalachian Aquaponics, to support the facility in operations management and provide technical assistance in aquaculture, horticulture, and aquaponics in order to ensure long term farm viability.
Activities:
- Blue Acre underwent a change of operating partners in October 2024.
- WVFFC has been providing technical assistance to the new operating partners at the Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics facility in staffing, budgeting, and increasing their capacity for growing.
- We are in the process of assessing additional technical assistance needs and working with partners to identify a technical assistance provider to assist in expanding the growing capacity of the facility.
- During the next reporting period, WVFFC plans to contract an Aquaponics expert to develop specific, measurable actions, timelines, and responsibilities for improving operational efficiency and increasing growing capacity.
Objective 3: Provide training support to members of Mountain State Co-Hops Co-operative to undergo training and develop the aggregation and distribution of farm-grown value-added products in partnership with PCAP who will provide a technical service provider
Activities:
- Jenn Brown of the Mountain State CoHops collaborated with a technical assistance provider provided by PCAP to identify the insurance needs of the cooperative, establish standard operating procedures, and develop a Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance plan.
- The West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition’s (WVFFC) Technical Assistance Specialist supported CoHops staff in mapping potential markets along the I-81 corridor and identifying partners to assist with aggregation and distribution.
- During the upcoming grant period, PCAP’s technical assistance provider and Jenn will focus on registering Mountain State CoHops as a USDA-certified facility. They will also conduct product reviews, including analyzing products for compliance with applicable laws, identifying target customers, and outlining regulatory requirements for each product.
- In addition, the WVFFC Technical Assistance Specialist and Jenn will continue to build out aggregation and distribution partnerships, as well as develop and refine aggregation and distribution plans.
Through this project, WVFFC discovered that many farmer value-added producers have advanced technical assistance needs. This finding highlights the necessity of hiring a dedicated Technical Assistance Provider on staff who can consult on labeling, processing authority, and aggregation and distribution.
In conducting the project, WVFFC measured significant improvements in operational planning and resource utilization among the supported farms and Mountain State Cohops. Key observations include:
- Increased Collaboration: Cohop members reported improvements in their ability to plan aggregation and distribution networks, leading to more streamlined operations and reduced logistical challenges.
- Knowledge Gained: Producers enrolled in the Better Process Control School gained critical knowledge for regulatory compliance, which directly impacted their capacity to scale production safely and legally.
- Grant Application Success: Technical support enabled multiple farms to apply for grants that support infrastructure development and supply chain coordination.
- Mountain State CoHops:
- Identified risk management strategies and insurance recommendations, including Commercial General Liability Insurance, Producer General and Product Liability, Property and Equipment Insurance, Automobile Coverage, Employment Practice Liability Insurance, Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, Cyber/Privacy Coverage, Crime Coverage, Limited Pollution Liability, Product Recall Insurance, and Medical Insurance.
- Secured General and Product Liability Insurance as well as Directors and Officers Insurance.
- Created a food and warehouse safety plan to enhance operational safety and compliance.
- Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics:
- Provided technical assistance to improve staffing and budgeting.
- Supported efforts to identify additional needs and plan for expanding the growing capacity of the facility.
Projected Farm Changes:
- Profit Increases: Improved operational efficiency and expanded capacity at facilities like Blue Acre are expected to lead to higher profits by enabling greater production and market reach.
- Cost Savings: Once aggregation and distribution plans are implemented during the next grant period, farmers will report lower costs associated with distributing products.
- Time Savings: Streamlined aggregation and distribution processes reduced the time required for day-to-day operations.
This project aimed to provide targeted technical assistance to farmer value-added producers, the Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics facility, and the Mountain State Co-Hops Cooperative. The overarching goal was to empower farmers to produce and scale value-added products, addressing challenges like regulatory compliance, market access, and logistical barriers. By leveraging expert guidance and training, the project worked to enhance marketing strategies, develop labels, and streamline operations, ultimately improving the profitability and sustainability of participating farms. Knowledge and insights from this project will be shared at the West Virginia Small Farms Conference to assist a broader audience of farmers.
Key outcomes include improved operational planning and resource utilization among farmers. Mountain State Co-Hops successfully implemented insurance coverage, created a food and warehouse safety plan, and advanced their aggregation and distribution strategies. Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics improved staffing and budgeting processes while laying the groundwork for expanded growing capacity through expert consultations. The project highlighted the advanced technical needs of farmers, such as compliance and labeling support, underscoring the need for a dedicated Technical Assistance Provider on staff.
By addressing logistical and regulatory barriers and fostering collaboration, this initiative boosts farmer capacity to scale operations, reduces costs, and increases profitability. The knowledge and strategies developed through this project are poised to strengthen West Virginia's agricultural economy by connecting farmers to broader markets.
Education & Outreach Activities and Participation Summary
Participation Summary:
Consultations:
- Mountain State CoHop: Mountain State Cohop Staff conducted individual meetings and outreach with each Cohop member to assess their technical assistance needs, readiness to sell across state lines, and current capacity to scale operations.
- Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics: WVFFC staff collaborated with the facility's new operating partners to evaluate their technical assistance needs and provided guidance on budgeting, ordering, and operational capacity enhancements.
- Farmer Consultations: The WVFFC Technical Assistance Specialist conducted consultations with three farmers, offering support on selling products across state lines and entering school markets and provided outreach to an additional 24 farmers.
- Targeted Support: The Mountain State Co-Hops Technical Assistance Provider, provided by PCAP met with Jenn Brown eight times, delivering a total of 26 hours of technical assistance to date.
Learning Outcomes
Key Areas of Reported Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, and Awareness:
- Farm Safety (FSMA): Enhanced understanding of the FSMA requirements and practices.
- Food Safety: Improved knowledge of better processing controls, including those relevant for school markets.
- Food and Warehouse Safety Plan: Development and implementation of a comprehensive FSMA-compliant food and warehouse safety plan by Mountain State Co-Hops.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Creation and adoption of new SOPs to improve operational efficiency at Mountain State Co-Hops.
- Employee and Financial Management: The new operating partner of Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics gained skills in managing employees and financial resources effectively.
- Increased Capacity: Expanded operational capacity at the aquaponics facility, supporting future growth.
Project Outcomes
The project is currently in its early stages of implementation, with participating farmers either actively engaged in training or having recently completed it. While it is too soon to report significant measurable changes or long-term improvements, there are several promising indicators of progress:
- Training Engagement: Farmers have demonstrated strong commitment to the training programs, which focus on areas critical to improving their operations, including farm safety, food safety compliance, and operational planning. The foundational knowledge gained is expected to significantly enhance their ability to scale production and navigate regulatory landscapes in the near future.
- Implementation in Progress: Many farmers are already beginning to integrate what they’ve learned into their operations. For example:
- Food Safety: Participants are working on implementing FSMA-compliant practices, including better processing controls and safety plans tailored to their specific needs.
- Mountain State Co-Hops: Members are putting newly developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) into action and have initiated the rollout of a comprehensive food and warehouse safety plan.
- Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics: The new operating partner has begun applying skills in financial management, employee oversight, and operational capacity-building, setting the stage for future facility expansion.
- Shifts in Knowledge and Awareness: Farmers have reported increased awareness of critical topics such as regulatory compliance, food safety, and market access. These shifts are laying the groundwork for improved decision-making and long-term operational improvements.
- Potential for Growth: Early feedback suggests that the technical assistance provided has enhanced farmers’ confidence in exploring new market opportunities, including selling across state lines and supplying institutions like schools.
As farmers continue to implement the strategies and practices introduced through training and technical assistance, we anticipate measurable improvements in profitability, operational efficiency, and market access. Future evaluations will capture these outcomes in greater detail.
Our project employed targeted technical assistance and capacity-building strategies tailored to the needs of farmer value-added producers, the Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics facility, and the Mountain State Co-Hops Cooperative. This approach was instrumental in building trust and ensuring that solutions were context-specific. A key to success was the one-on-one consultations and practical support, which allowed us to meet farmers where they are and address individual challenges effectively.