GREENBRIER COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – Local media personnel were invited for a field trip by two WVU students, Emma Scott and Emma Jagiello. For bachelor/undergraduate and master academic achievements, they are a part of The “Martin Hall Agency.” The group of students that comprise the self-made and managed MHA, is an Advertising and Public Relations agency at West Virginia University. MHA prides itself on delivering next-generation solutions to its clients. Each member of the team is fully motivated to create bold and passionate material. Working primarily with local businesses and nonprofits, MHA has an irresistible urge to do the most for their clients’ growth. Giving back to a community that has given the students so much drives their work to push boundaries and break down barriers. With an array of creative minds and unbeatable attitudes, MHA continues to change the conversation.
The object of the media tour was to visit local “Agri-Businesses” introducing the members of the media to local businesses and to increase awareness of growing “Agri-Tourism” in West Virginia. Specifically, businesses that utilize local products, support local farms and allow you the viewer a glance into how one supports the other.
The day out was meticulously planned by what we dubbed, “The Emmas!” Media were escorted to several key points in the community, basically making a well-oiled circle around Greenbrier County and downtown Lewisburg. The two rented a black SUV, brought snacks, printed itineraries, communicated and orchestrated with business owners and impeccably curated an unforgettable day.
The day began with a visit to The Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company. Vice President of the company, Jason Nerenberg and Head Brewer Dave Barron, gave us an in-depth tour of the brewing process and the facilities. The focus of their craft is to utilize local products to brew their amazing craft beers and then to also make use of the waste, with farmers using the “mash” to feed their animals. A partnership that supports farmers from beginning to end.
After a complimentary tasting of some sour beers and their new butterbeer, we hopped across the street to Smooth Ambler Spirits & Distillery, where we were privy to the scientific methods of 2 million pounds of Pocahontas County-grown corn (Farmer Dustin Simmons) being magically melded into a super fine bourbon, rye or whiskey. Aging the goodness in toasted and charred barrels made at The West Virginia Great Barrel Company located in Caldwell, West Virginia, they too; utilize wood for the barrels, sourced from a 200-mile radius right here in West Virginia.
Popping downtown, we stopped for lunch courtesy of The WVU students-funded program, at Stardust Cafe’. Another great example of how going local is a win-win alliance. Owner, Savannah Webb is proud to source local produce and meats; like delicious and juicy burgers provided by Swift Level Fine Meats located in Fairlea, West Virginia. Also, Jeff’s Breads in Renick and Flavor Mutt buns from Lewisburg, are both small businesses that are supported by Webb and many restaurants and shops in The Valley.
As the day slipped by, we were whisked away to a local favorite farm known as Caring Acres Farm sitting on 320 acres in the outskirts of Lewisburg. Farmer Carl greeted us with a smile and a warm bottle of fresh milk for one fuzzy, baby cow. While we all took turns feeding the insatiable toddler, we turned into kids again playing with sheep, goats, chickens and a Great Pyrenees giant. Atop a hillside that looks down on the fireworks in July, Caring Acres Farm provides tender, organic beef to Lewisburg shops, farmers’ markets and more. The tender, flavorful beef is indicative of loving hands as well as April’s fresh eggs. You can find many of their products any day at shops like Amy’s Market in Lewisburg and farmers’ markets throughout the region weekly.
As time was running out for the day, our final escapade took us to the amazing West Virginia Glamping Domes in Alderson. Owners Timothy and Angela Luce have repurposed the historic property of an 1800s mill into a destination with nature. With 65 acres of West Virginia wonderland, the hand-raised domes are a 5-star destination for people from all over the world. Each dome has a well-thought-out name such as “The Manor” or “Firefly” and is splendidly decked out with hot tubs, cozy big beds, fire pits, and hammocks and boasts a rating of 2 on The Bortle Scale (The Bortle Dark-Sky Scale is a nine-level numeric scale that measures the night sky’s and stars’ brightness naked-eye and stellar limiting magnitude of a particular location). This extraordinary dark sky is one of only eight in all of West Virginia. Each dome has a clear ceiling so that each guest can “immerse in nature” as Luce says. As we were satiated with delicious homemade peach cider, we learned about the mythic dragon stones (Septarian nodules) that are sometimes found in the stream that once powered the mill. Kayaks and paddle-boards are available for kayaking /paddling during most of the year. Make your reservation though, getting in is a triumph indeed.
The entire great state is gearing up for more “Agri-Tourism” business and we can’t love it enough. Visitors clammer to see what the buzz is about, while this destination of adventuring and agriculturing, is only outdone by the hard-working people who live to answer the purpose. The students of WVU are devoted ambassadors of “The Wild and Wonderful” the farmer and the baker, the brewmasters and whiskey shakers, and anyone fortunate enough to meet them.
