Agribusinesses led by veterans receive funds in West Virginia Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Pitch Competition

Jessica Phillips
·2 min read

CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — Eight finalists that participated in the second annual West Virginia Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Pitch Competition received funding.

The event was held at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center on March 9, 2024 and allowed first responders and veterans to mention their business plans that ranged from various farm expansion projects to start-up funding.

New Greenbrier County Deputy Sheriff sworn in

Three of the agribusinesses received a check that covered the entire amount that they asked for, while the remaining five agribusinesses received partial funding. The funding for all of the businesses totaled around $60,000.

All finalists delivered excellent presentations with the facts and figures on what it would take to move their businesses to the next level. They put a lot of thought and work into their written proposals and then worked with a mentor who helped coach them on the best way to present themselves to the judges for the in-person pitch. This competition gives them a chance to grow their business and the skills they need to promote themselves to future clients and investors.

Kent Leonhardt | Commissioner of Agriculture

The three winners of the competition were:

  • Blue Sky Orchards in Mercer County ($12,275.75): To buy equipment, add electric to the building, and finish construction on their farmstand.

  • Sugar Bottom Farm in Clay County ($7,725): West Virginia honey powder, West Virginia creamed honey, and increasing the size of the existing storage and packing facility.

  • Tree Dragon Farm in Hampshire County ($6,402.97): Expand the meat production and infrastructure of Tree Dragon rabbitry.

Princeton City Park progress continues

The other finalists each got $6,719 for their projects. These businesses include:

  • Moonstruck Maple Farm in Summers County: An on-site commercial kitchen project that includes adding maple sugar production and other value-added products.

  • Jarhead Farm in Monroe County: Turning a semi-truck into flexible and economical cold storage.

  • Turtle on a Post Farm in Harrison County: Jellery on FRUITLESS slopes (orchard system on hillside and value-added expansion).

  • Farm on Mill Creek Meadow in Berkeley County: Irrigation system refinements, materials needed for produce production expansion, and building a tool shed.

  • Riffle Farm in Preston County: Adding bathrooms facilities to increase agrotourism offerings.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.