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) hired a Technical Assistance Specialist to support Mountain State Co-Hop and farmer value-added producers. The Specialist’s responsibilities included developing aggregation and distribution networks, supporting marketing strategy development, and assisting producers with food safety, labeling, and regulatory compliance.
Key Accomplishments to date:
1.) Support for Natasha Zoe:
- Provided one-on-one technical assistance to support Jar Head in securing capital to develop a thermal processing co-packing facility.
- Collaborated with the farm to map and assess existing aggregation and distribution networks.
- Connected key staff with paid-for Better Process Control School to strengthen operational and food safety capacity.
- Provided technical assistance in developing a pro forma for the newly constructed co-pack facility.
- Provided technical assistance during the planning and construction phases for the food manufacturing co-pack facility.
- Provided guidance on FDA regulatory requirements for the co-pack facility.
- Delivered technical assistance to support FSMA compliance for the farm operation.
- Collaborated on ideation and development of new product lines.
- Supported capital-raising efforts for the co-pack facility.
Facilitated access to new market channels, resulting in increased sales.
2.) Assistance for Lucas Sieber:
- WVFFC staff consulted with Lucas Sieber and provided technical assistance to identify and obtain capital to strengthen middle supply chain coordination.
- Provided technical assistance on compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
- Provided technical assistance during expansion of operations to add an additional 1,000 square feet.
- Provided technical assistance to support the development of value-added products and the construction of a co-pack facility to meet regulatory requirements for interstate commerce.
- Assisted with the development of a pro forma for the expanded operation and co-pack facility.
- Supported the design of efficient operational systems and the installation of specialized equipment to improve performance and throughput.
3.) Support for Nita Hobbs:
- Facilitated partner connections to support Nita Hobbs in developing compliant product labeling.
- Arranged enrollment in the Better Process Control School to strengthen food safety and processing capacity.
- Planned technical assistance in the upcoming grant period to support recipe approvals and connections with a local co-packer.
- Provided support for production planning, crop management, and variety selection for value-added products.
- Delivered technical assistance in land management, crop extension techniques, integrated pest management (IPM), and soil enhancement practices.
- Supported the planning and construction of a high tunnel.
4.) Assistance for Marlana Pennington:
- Supported paid-for enrollment in the Better Process Control School to strengthen food safety and processing capacity.
- Provided technical assistance with label and packaging development.
- Facilitated access to new market channels, resulting in increased sales.
5.) Outreach to Additional Farmers:
- The Technical Assistance Specialist initiated outreach to Mountain State Co-Hop farmer members to assess individual technical assistance needs.
- WVFFC staff developed and disseminated a Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) toolkit to support farms in meeting regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance for value-added products.
- Provided technical assistance with variety identification for value-added product development.
- Facilitated access to new market channels, resulting in increased sales.
- Delivered one-on-one technical assistance to a maple producer to support value-added product development and safe manufacturing practices.
- WVFFC hosted two labeling webinars: Creating Effective Labels and Navigating Labeling Laws to assist Farmer Value-Added producers in developing labels that will help them expand their market reach to interstate markets.
- WVFFC hosted a 2 soil enhancement workshop.
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:
- WVFFC supported the facility in implementing recommendations to transition crops grown to higher producing varieties that would have larger yields and increase profitability.
- In 2024, the facility underwent a change in operating partners, with Hillbilly Harvest assuming management.
- WVFFC provided support to identify and access new market channels for Blue Acres’ products.
- WVFFC delivered technical assistance to support compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the requirements for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification.
- WVFFC provided Hillybilly Harvest technical assistance in financial management, business planning, payroll systems, benefits administration, and expansion of facility operations. Despite this support, Hillbilly Harvest stepped down as operator in August 2025.
- WVFFC immediately engaged Mingo County Development Authority and Facing Hunger Food Bank—one of the largest markets for Blue Acres’ produce—in August 2025 to explore the potential for assuming operations and facilitated the process of transitioning the facility to the food bank as an operating partner.
- During the transition process, fish reproduction within the aquaponics system led to eggs accumulating in and obstructing key equipment, resulting in operational disruptions that required additional maintenance and system adjustments. WVFFC staff provided technical assistance to address these issues, supporting equipment maintenance and system adjustments.
- WVFFC is working with Facing Hunger Food Bank to identify an appropriate technical assistance provider to support expansion of the facility’s growing capacity to produce additional crops beyond greens.
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 Mountain State Co-Hop underwent technical assistance supported by Partners Community Capital (PCAP) to identify the cooperative’s insurance needs, establish standard operating procedures, and develop a Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance plan.
- PCAP’s technical assistance provider is supporting Mountain State Co-Hop in registering the cooperative as an FDA-registered facility. This work includes conducting product reviews to assess regulatory compliance, identifying target customers, and outlining applicable regulatory requirements for each product.
- The West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition’s (WVFFC) Technical Assistance Specialist supported Co-Hop staff in mapping potential markets along the I-81 corridor and identifying partners to support aggregation and distribution efforts. This work is on-going.
- WVFFC is providing technical assistance to Mountain State Co-Hop to support the planning and development of warehouse space designed to enable more efficient product aggregation, inventory management, and coordination of inbound and outbound logistics. This support includes space planning, workflow considerations, and alignment with food safety and regulatory requirements to ensure the facility can effectively support aggregation and distribution activities.
- WVFFC is providing technical assistance to support the planning and development of a food manufacturing co-pack facility to expand processing capacity for value-added products. This includes guidance on facility design, equipment needs, regulatory compliance, and operational workflows to ensure the co-pack facility can meet food safety standards and support scaling into wholesale, institutional, and interstate markets.
- WVFFC facilitated conversations between Mountain State Co-Hop producers and Kroger that identified the need for additional labeling support and UPC guidance to enable entry into larger wholesale markets.
- WVFFC has supported farmers within the cooperative by providing technical assistance in marketing and piloting pack-and-ship box programs, enabling producers collaborate to expand into new and diversified markets.
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 requirements, processing authority approvals, food safety and regulatory compliance, warehouse planning and operations, and aggregation and distribution systems. In addition, this role has expanded to provide guidance on facility design and workflow, equipment selection and scaling, inventory management, cold-chain logistics, quality control, cost modeling and pro forma development, insurance and risk management, market readiness for wholesale and institutional buyers, UPC and traceability requirements, FSMA and GAP compliance, and coordination with co-packers and regulatory agencies to support expansion into interstate and larger wholesale markets.
Through the technical assistance, ongoing trainings, and collaborative partnerships facilitated through this project, WVFFC has observed measurable improvements in operational planning, regulatory readiness, and resource utilization among participating farms and Mountain State Co-Hop. Access to expert technical assistance has strengthened farmers’ ability to navigate food safety requirements, plan for aggregation and distribution, prepare for wholesale and institutional markets, and make informed investments in infrastructure and equipment.
Key Findings:
Increased collaboration: Co-Hop members report improved capacity to plan and coordinate aggregation and distribution networks, resulting in increased profit margins, more streamlined operation, and reduced logistical challenges.
Knowledge gained through training: Producers who enrolled in the Better Process Control School gained critical knowledge related to regulatory compliance, directly strengthening their ability to scale production safely and legally.
Improved labeling readiness: Producers who participated in labeling workshops reported increased understanding of labeling requirements necessary for interstate commerce.
Enhanced soil management knowledge: Producers who participated in soil enhancement workshops reported increased knowledge of soil improvement techniques and expressed interest in continued learning and technical support.
Improved FSMA preparedness: Producers reported a stronger understanding of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements and indicated they felt supported and prepared to develop and implement farm food safety plans.
Capital Access: Technical assistance supported multiple farms in pursuing and securing capital to advance infrastructure development, improve operational capacity, and strengthen supply chain coordination.
Mountain State Co-Hops:
Risk management and insurance readiness: Identified comprehensive risk management strategies and insurance needs, including Commercial General Liability, Producer General and Product Liability, Property and Equipment, Automobile, Employment Practices Liability, Directors and Officers, Cyber/Privacy, Crime, Limited Pollution Liability, Product Recall, and Medical Insurance.
Improved insurance coverage: Secured General and Product Liability Insurance and Directors and Officers Insurance to support cooperative operations and governance.
Enhanced safety and compliance: Developed a food and warehouse safety plan to strengthen operational safety and regulatory compliance.
Infrastructure development: Initiated construction of a warehouse to improve aggregation and distribution efficiency and to support the expansion of direct-to-consumer sales, creating a new market channel for Co-Hop members.
Blue Acre Appalachian Aquaponics:
Improved Financial planning: Staffing structures and budgeting practices were strengthened, resulting in clearer role definition, more efficient labor allocation, improved payroll planning, stronger operating budgets, and better alignment of staffing needs with production and revenue projections.
Expanded capacity planning: The facility demonstrated increased capacity to assess operational needs and plan for the expansion of growing capacity.
Revenue diversification: Additional crops were identified for production, expanding the facility’s product mix and supporting more diversified and resilient revenue streams.
Enhanced production efficiency: The facility increased its capacity to optimize space and production by identifying alternative production approaches, including vertical growing systems, resulting in increased revenue.
Regulatory compliance and food safety readiness: The facility improved its ability to meet food safety and regulatory requirements allowing it to expand into new markets.
Operational transitions: The facility successfully navigated two changes in operating partners, maintaining continuity of operations and increasing organizational understanding of the staffing, financial, and technical supports necessary to sustain long-term facility operations.
Projected Farm Changes:
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- Profitability: Partner farmers increased their capacity for operational efficiency and expanded production, positioning them for higher profitability through greater production volumes and improved market reach.
- Market access: The development of new market channels increased product exposure and sales opportunities, supporting revenue growth for participating producers.
- Cost efficiency: As aggregation and distribution plans were developed and implemented, producers demonstrated increased capacity to reduce distribution-related costs.
- Time efficiency: Streamlined aggregation and distribution processes reduced the time required for day-to-day operations, allowing producers to reallocate time toward production, planning, and market development.
This project delivered targeted technical assistance to farmer value-added producers, the Blue Acres Appalachian Aquaponics facility, and the Mountain State Co-Hop cooperative to strengthen operational capacity, regulatory readiness, and market access. The project focused on addressing key barriers to scaling value-added production, including food safety compliance, labeling requirements, aggregation and distribution challenges, and access to new markets. Through expert guidance, workshops, and one-on-one technical assistance, participating farmers improved marketing strategies, developed compliant labeling, and strengthened operational systems, supporting increased efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Mountain State Co-Hop strengthened organizational readiness by securing appropriate insurance coverage, developing a food and warehouse safety plan, and advancing aggregation and distribution strategies. In addition, the cooperative advanced planning and preparedness to construct and launch a co-packing facility, positioning it to expand processing capacity, support value-added production, and access larger wholesale, institutional, and interstate markets.
Blue Acres Appalachian Aquaponics improved staffing and budgeting practices and increased its growing capacity through targeted expert consultations and technical assistance. The project also revealed operational vulnerabilities associated with transitions between operating partners, highlighting the need for continued technical assistance to maintain stable operations and ensure the facility’s ability to consistently produce food for the surrounding community. More broadly, these findings reinforced the advanced and ongoing technical assistance needs related to operating an aquaponics facility in West Virginia, underscoring the importance of sustained, dedicated technical assistance for the facility.
In response to these findings, WVFFC has continued to seek funding to advance staff training and build in-house expertise in food safety, labeling, and regulatory compliance, reducing reliance on external consultants and enabling more responsive, tailored support for farmers.
Overall, the project strengthened farmer capacity to scale operations, reduced logistical and regulatory barriers, and improved readiness for entry into new and expanded markets. The approaches and lessons learned through this project contribute to a more resilient and competitive farm economy in West Virginia.
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. An aquaponics consultant was contracted to provide support on crop diversification, efficiencies, market development, expansion, and industry standards.
- Farmer Consultations: The WVFFC Technical Assistance Specialist conducted consultations with three Co-Hop farmers, offering support on selling products across state lines and entering school markets and provided outreach to an additional 24 farmers.
Farmers were supported individually and in group settings on FSMA planning, production planning, variety assessments, business development, and market development.
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.
Curricula Developed: A FSMA planning toolkit was utilized to assist farmers in food safety planning.
Workshops:
- 2 workshops on proper labeling were conducted.
- 2 workshops on soil management were conducted.
- Biochar Workshop Scheduled for Small Farms 2026
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.
- Increased Knowledge: Farmers/producers increased understanding of the requirements for labeling for interstate commerce.
- Increased knowledge of methods for enhancing soil health.
- Increased knowledge in production planning, IPM (Integrated Pest Management) strategies, and variety selection.
Project Outcomes
Through targeted technical assistance, ongoing trainings, and collaborative partnerships, WVFFC observed measurable improvements in operational capacity, regulatory readiness, and resource utilization among participating farms, Mountain State Co-Hop, and Blue Acres Appalachian Aquaponics. Access to expert technical assistance strengthened producers’ ability to navigate food safety requirements, pursue capital, plan for aggregation and distribution, and prepare for wholesale, institutional, and direct-to-consumer markets.
Farms
• Increased collaboration among producers, resulting in more efficient aggregation and distribution planning, reduced logistical challenges, and improved profit potential.
• Improved regulatory knowledge through participation in the Better Process Control School and labeling workshops, strengthening readiness for interstate commerce.
• Increased understanding of FSMA requirements and confidence in developing and implementing farm food safety plans.
• Improved access to capital, supporting infrastructure investments, expanded production capacity, and stronger supply chain coordination.
• Greater efficiency in operations, contributing to improved market access, reduced distribution-related costs, and time savings in day-to-day operations.
Mountain State Co-Hop
• Strengthened organizational readiness through identification of comprehensive risk management and insurance needs and securing appropriate liability and governance coverage.
• Developed a food and warehouse safety plan, improving operational safety and regulatory compliance.
• Advanced aggregation and distribution strategies, improving coordination and efficiency across member producers.
• Initiated construction of a warehouse to support more efficient aggregation and distribution and expand direct-to-consumer sales, creating a new market channel for Co-Hop members.
Blue Acres Appalachian Aquaponics
• Improved staffing structures and financial management, resulting in clearer roles, more efficient labor allocation, and stronger budgeting and payroll systems.
• Increased growing capacity and production efficiency through targeted technical assistance and expert consultations.
• Diversified revenue streams by expanding crop production and implementing alternative growing approaches, including vertical systems.
• Improved regulatory compliance and food safety readiness, supporting expansion into new markets.
• Successfully navigated multiple operating partner transitions while maintaining continuity of operations, demonstrating increased operational resilience and highlighting the continued need for sustained technical assistance.
The project utilized a targeted, relationship-based technical assistance approach tailored to the specific needs of farmer value-added producers, the Blue Acres Appalachian Aquaponics facility, and the Mountain State Co-Hop cooperative. This approach proved effective in building trust, identifying site-specific challenges, and delivering practical, actionable support. One-on-one consultations and hands-on assistance were particularly impactful, allowing technical support to be responsive to varying levels of capacity, regulatory readiness, and operational complexity across participants.
The project also highlighted several areas for further study and continued investment. As producers scale, there is a growing need for deeper technical expertise related to advanced regulatory compliance, labeling for interstate commerce, co-packing readiness, and aggregation and distribution systems. Facility-level work, particularly at Blue Acres, underscored the importance of sustained technical assistance to support operational continuity during management transitions and to further evaluate long-term staffing, governance, and financial models. Future efforts would benefit from additional analysis of scalable aggregation and distribution models, long-term capital needs, and the role of dedicated, in-house technical assistance capacity to support increasingly complex value-added and supply chain operations.