Home Grown Solutions

West Virginia faces some of the nation’s highest rates of chronic illness and food insecurity. Many of our farmers struggle to access stable markets, while our institutions spend millions on food from outside the region. Good Ground is here to change that.

A person harvesting ripe tomatoes from a garden, placing them into a large wheelbarrow.
Green circular logo for Good Ground, there is a stylized map of West Virginia, a sun rising, and the words "Good Ground" encircling the design.
A smiling man in a maroon shirt and baseball cap holding red and orange bell peppers in a greenhouse or garden.
A young girl with a big smile enjoying food at a restaurant table, surrounded by plates of food.
Illustration of a plant sprout.
Illustration of a a leafy stem with berries.
Illustration of a plant sprout.
Illustration of a wheelbarrow with a round wheel and two handles.

Planting Seeds

We believe that by connecting local food growers to large, local buyers in the healthcare sector we can grow community wealth, wellness and resiliency, while transforming local markets and institutions.

Smiling man in a tie-dye shirt holding a bunch of carrots at an outdoor market.
A woman with brown hair carrying a tote bag shopping at a farmers market where a man in a light blue plaid shirt with red hair is holding green bell peppers and smiling.
Illustration of a plant sprout.
Illustration of a ramp with a long stem and leaves.
Illustration of a plant sprout.

GOVERNANCE

A Cooperative Approach 

While the roots of Good Ground are spread far and run deep, it was formally established through the Nourish West Virginia Initiative housed within the West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health.

This people-powered initiative, funded by multiple entities, convenes a steering committee and project-specific partners and workgroups representing diverse sectors to ensure equity throughout the decision-making process.

Our mission: improve the health and economic prosperity of Central Appalachia by integrating agriculture and health in new, sustainable ways–all while centering and uplifting West Virginia farmers and producers. 

Panel of six women and one young girl sitting at a long table during a conference, with a large screen behind them displaying a presentation titled 'Lived Experience & Impact Stories Panel' and the West Virginia Food & Medicine Coalition logo.

CULTURAL AGREEMENTS

How We Show Up For Each Other 

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  • “There is much good work to be done by every one of us and we must begin to do it.”

    —Wendell Berry

  • “To grow your own food gives you power and dignity.”

    —Karen Washington

  • “To tend the Earth is always then to tend our destiny, our freedom and our hope.”

    —Leah Penniman

  • “I want people to start looking at our state with a sense of possibility.”

    —Crystal Good

  • “I have no fear here, in this world of trees, weeds, and growing things.”

    —Bell Hooks

  • “When we control our food, we control our destiny—economically and socially.”

    —Jason Tartt