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A Survival Guide to Starting a Farm in the New River Gorge

Joshua Dunbar

• 4 min read
A Survival Guide to Starting a Farm in the New River Gorge
Fall New River Gorge Bridge

When we left our suburban life in Utah to build a regenerative orchard in rural West Virginia, people looked at us like we were joining a cult. But it wasn’t a leap of faith; it was the result of a ton of research, trial and error, and choosing to believe in the land and the people of Appalachia.

This is a survival guide for anyone considering the same. Not a glossy influencer take; just the stuff we wish someone had told us before we made the jump.

1. Research First; Bias Is Real

Let’s start here because it’ll shape everything else: West Virginia is constantly underestimated. Most online sources treat it like the land that time forgot. Ask anyone in a Virginia subreddit about West Virginia and watch their condescension do a full Olympic floor routine.

But don’t let internet bias scare you off. If you’re considering a move, do the ground game first. I knew the area from my college days white water rafting, which gave me an anchor. From there, I dug in deeper with:

Podcasts I found helpful:

These gave me a mix of local news, deep folklore, and stories of small business owners trying to make it in this unique landscape.

Subreddits (with a grain of salt):

Reddit can be helpful for real questions, but negativity gets amplified fast. Still, here are a few worth lurking in:

YouTube channels that show WV’s heart:

These creators love West Virginia and it shows. Less complaining; more doing.

Broadband is scarce outside of major towns. If you're not within 30 minutes of Fayetteville, Summersville, Beckley, or Lewisburg, you’ll find your options can be limited.

But Starlink? Starlink is the great equalizer. It’s expensive, sure, but we run our farm business, upload videos, take Zoom calls, and stream “Bluey” without melting down. (to be clear we have access to fiber internet, starlink is in my truck for camping so that is my frame of reference)

3. Healthcare Exists; Plan for the Gaps

There are hospitals, even in smaller towns like Hinton. But they are underfunded and often understaffed. Care can be hit or miss, and access to specialists is limited.

Morgantown (3 hours away) has a solid medical system and is where you'd want to be in a serious situation. We recommend making a plan before you need it—especially if you have kids or ongoing health concerns.

The game-changer: Telehealth

If you’ve got reliable internet (and with Starlink, you absolutely can), telehealth is a massive leveler. We do almost all of our therapy sessions online. My nutritionist and pulmonologist? Also telehealth.

It saves us hours of driving and has made care actually accessible. For many rural families, this is what turns healthcare from a logistical nightmare into something manageable.

4. Education & Childcare: Be Flexible

This might be the toughest part of rural life.

If you’re used to robust public or charter schools, it’ll be an adjustment. That said, there are options:

  • Fayetteville has a respected Montessori school and a strong, secular homeschool group.
  • Nicholas County offers a more traditional homeschool network, built mostly by local moms.
  • Babysitters are relatively easy to find, though they may not have formal credentials. It worked for us; it might not for everyone.

It takes some creativity, but you can build a system that works.

5. Culture Shock: It’s a Two-Way Street

Reddit and Facebook groups love to dramatize the social dynamics here. But here’s the reality: no one cares who you voted for unless you make it weird.

You might get asked where you're from. That question often leads to subtle digs about outsiders changing things. It's not personal; it's just part of a culture that’s been burned and bulldozed too many times.

Our advice? Come with an open mind. Don’t make your first conversation about banning hunting or regulating guns. Listen first. You’ll be surprised who becomes a friend.

We’re center-left. We know someone who believes the government is hiding dinosaurs. She calls us “the nicest liberals she’s ever known.” That’s a win. Even if we can't see eye to eye with them on most subjects, she felt heard and opened up to conversation in a world she has a very black and white viewpoint on.

6. Find Common Ground

Relationships here are everything. They take time, but once they're built, they run deep.

  • A neighbor who calls me “Yankee” also helped me cut and burn an 89-foot pine without asking for a thing.
  • I’m Korean. Someone once asked what “chi” was like, assuming I was an expert. I went with it.
  • I’m autistic. I get told all the time I “don’t look autistic.” Instead of correcting, I find a connection. I once asked a guy if he could spot a coal miner in a tux. He laughed; point made.

We helped a neighbor in cancer remission install a chlorinator because untreated spring water wasn't safe under chemo. He now brings us tomatoes.

If you’re communal and show up to help without expecting anything, people will show up for you tenfold.

7. Final Thoughts

This region is hard. It will test you. But it will also teach you what real resilience and interdependence look like.

You can't preach your way into the culture. You can’t fix people. If you can’t handle off-color jokes or being misunderstood occasionally, this place may wear on you. But if you’re willing to learn, listen, and build real connections, you'll grow something beautiful here.

We’re still learning every day. But our daughter is growing up with dirt under her nails and kindness in her world. And that’s the kind of life we came here to build.

Got questions? Thinking about moving out here?
Come visit. Bring your boots. And maybe a chainsaw.

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