High Rocks is excited to announce the hiring of a new Farm Manager. Pocahontas County Native and seventh-generation family farmer, Steve Saffel (pictured), will be taking the helm, teaching young farmers best practices and helping us to generate produce for the Pocahontas and Greenbrier County areas. Steve has been a commercial grower for more than 25 years.

As food deserts across West Virginia increase, High Rocks is dedicated toward regenerative agriculture that makes fresh foods available in the area. As an organization whose mission is to educate, empower, and inspire young people, we also pride ourselves in teaching best practices to young farmers. Empowering future generations of farmers is a long-term solution to the food insecurities many isolated West Virginia communities face. We also believe that empowering young farmers creates a viable pathway out of poverty and into a quality career that benefits the entire community.

Steve is an asset to the entire High Rocks team. He has the experience to help High Rocks grow our local foods program and the passion for working with young people.

“I learned from a young age to grow, can and preserve food to last for years,” Steve said. “I hope to teach future generations to do the same thing.”

Under Steve’s guidance, High Rocks will expand our food production while training young farmers everything from produce planning to marketing their goods.

“I believe that young people need to learn how to produce food if we want to continue to be self-sufficient,” Steve continued. “In places where fresh produce is not always available, it can be as simple as going into your backyard if you understand when to plant, how much to water, and how to care for your crops. This is something I am passionate about and am excited to be a part of the High Rocks team.”