We are Earth stewards, crafting a harmonious cycle of nature's bounty. Through permaculture, ethical animal husbandry, and zero-waste practices, we provide nourishing food with minimal environmental impact and maximum economic advantage.
West Virginia has one of the highest amounts of unfunded coal-related problems classified as Priority 1 and Priority 2 abandoned mine lands sites and inventoried in the Enhanced Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System.
WV Farm Foods has applied for an AMLER grant to transform the abandoned mines located on this property. Since 2016, the AMLER Program has committed $181 million in grant funding to assist projects all across the West Virginia coalfields. The AMLER Program funds are used “for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with economic and community development and reuse goals”.
Additionally, WV Farm Foods will implement permaculture farming on the surrounding acres. Permaculture bursts with advantages, blossoming like a diverse garden. It nourishes us with fresh, healthy food, grown close to home and requires less water and energy. It shields the planet, reducing pollution, protecting precious soil, and welcoming biodiversity. This sustainable system builds resilient communities, fostering connection with nature and empowering individuals to grow their food and thrive. From lower living costs to increased well-being, permaculture's bounty extends far beyond the garden, leaving a verdant legacy for generations to come.
Ethical animal husbandry in a Temple Grandin-inspired abattoir aims to bridge the gap between animal life and death with as little stress and pain as possible. Grandin's principles guide every step, from spacious, enriching pens to curved chutes that mimic grazing patterns. Blind alleys and solid walls replace open spaces, creating a calming flow that respects animals' flight zones. Restraint devices are designed for comfort and efficiency, while stunning methods are meticulously monitored to ensure swift unconsciousness. Even the journey to the final stage is quiet and dimly lit, minimizing fear and sensory overload. While ending a life cannot be without consequence, these ethically-driven abattoirs strive to do so with respect and minimal suffering, honoring the animals' journey from pasture to plate.
Ray Anderson set out to make his carpet business sustainable long before green was the flavor of the month. Reading Paul Hawken’s The Ecology of Commerce changed his life, inspiring him to overhaul his company and aim for zero waste and zero environmental impact.
WV Farm Foods will bring this same mindset to our abattoir operations. Biomimicry will be a huge influence and it will bring a wellspring of innovation.
Zero waste in abattoirs isn't just a dream, it's a resource revolution. From nose to tail, every part of the animal finds a new purpose. Guts and trimmings feed biogas digesters, generating energy to power the facility. Blood transforms into biofertilizers, nourishing the very soil that raised the animals. Bones morph into gelatin or tools, while hides become leather or bioplastics. Even manure gets composted, returning precious nutrients to the land. This closed-loop system eliminates waste streams, lowers operating costs, and creates valuable byproducts, leaving abattoirs not as environmental burdens, but as thriving nodes in a sustainable food future.
Our local USDA abattoir will bloom like a cash crop, injecting life into our economies. Farmers tap into new markets, selling directly and fetching higher prices for their livestock. Processing jobs sprout, from skilled butchers to truck drivers, weaving a web of income for residents. The food system shortens, reducing transportation costs and environmental impact, while fresh, quality meat finds its way to nearby plates. From farm gate to dinner table, this local ecosystem thrives, nourished by the economic engine of a well-run abattoir.
With farmers just a stone's throw away, chefs can forge meaningful connections, understanding the provenance of their ingredients at a granular level. This knowledge informs their creations, imbuing each dish with a story of responsible farming and respect for the animal. Diners savor not just the taste, but the ethical and sustainable narrative woven into every bite.
The business logic of sustainability.
Ray Anderson's TED Talk
WV Local Agriculture's Impact and Outlook
Why you should shop at your local farmers market
Investing in regenerative agriculture
Space between food, technology, and agriculture