It's a crisp morning in the Appalachian Mountains here on Goldberry Grove as I wake up at 4:30 a.m. every weekday to check on the fledgling ducks and take my two dogs, Quasar and Duke, on their morning constitutional. This is a time shared between me

Some people farm to feed people. Some farm to build a business. And then there are folks like Buzz Ferver—people who farm because they are irresistibly, unreasonably, and maybe even a little obsessively drawn to trees and the relentless pursuit of figuring them out. Buzz doesn’t just grow

Some farms are built for profit. Others are built for legacy. Route 9 Cooperative, founded by Greg Miller and a handful of die-hard chestnut growers, is firmly in the latter camp. This isn’t just agriculture—it’s a deep-rooted love affair with trees, a masterclass in collaboration, and a

Spring is here, and that means Goldberry Grove is officially moving from planning to planting. February wrapped up with the completion of all Phase 1 purchases, and March is all about pickup and preparation. We’re bringing in our first batch of Chinese Hybrid Chestnuts along with our entire windbreak

The landscape for farmers is constantly shifting. We adapt to unpredictable weather, fluctuating markets, and the constant ebb and flow of policy changes that shape our livelihoods. But today, the stakes are incredibly high for those building resilient agroforestry systems. The recent executive orders by the new administration have placed

When I first started looking into agroforestry grants, I’ll admit—I feel overwhelmed. Between jargon-heavy applications, unclear requirements, and the challenge of proving my orchard’s potential, the process seemed daunting. But as a first-generation farmer, I knew that securing funding would be a game-changer. So, I took a

Agroforestry is more than planting trees; it’s about cultivating a relationship with the land. When I set out to turn my southern West Virginia property into a profitable and sustainable farm, I knew I needed guidance. Chestnuts were always the centerpiece of my vision, but the path to making

Planting the Seeds of Progress: Starting a Farming LLC and Growing with Community Resources Starting a farm is a journey that involves equal parts passion, planning, and paperwork. As someone who thrives on both chaos and purpose, diving into the administrative side of farming has been a learning experience—and