BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS ›› pivoting
A Nimble Community Response Randolph County businesses take distancing in stride. randolph county has stayed ahead of the game when it comes to dealing with the coronavirus. Many organizations and businesses have stepped up during this unusual time in our reality and have come up with creative ways to continue to thrive. Elkins Main Street’s monthly First Friday events have gone to livestreaming to provide entertainment virtually, for example. The restaurant El Gran Sabor is livestreaming concerts on its social media page. Beverly Heritage Center is providing historic talks online every week. Randolph Together was created to provide positive stories, COVID-19 updates, and make sure the locals know what businesses and shops are still open during this time. TipTop coffee shop developed a beer club, wine club, and dinner club. And Big Timber Brewing is delivering beer to people’s houses—kind of like an ice cream truck for adults. TAIRA LANDAVERE W ELKINS, RANDOLPH COUNTY
Farm Aid Sunset Berry Farm finds support in the community. JENNIFER GILKERSON W ALDERSON, MONROE COUNT Y
also started accepting reservations for guests to reserve private space in the 1-acre PYO strawberry patch. With 40 rows perfectly spaced 6 feet apart, social distancing would be a breeze. Each guest would have their own row. Then another blow to the farm. Warm
covid-related cancellations started the 2020 season at Sunset Berry Farm & Produce outside Alderson at a loss of more than $30,000, and social distancing requirements were likely to impact attendance at the farm’s Pick Your Own (PYO) attraction, set to open
temperatures brought early blooms in February, followed by freezing temperatures in March and April. The beautiful strawberry flowers went from yellow to black, and major crop loss resulted. Now with supply lower than ever and demand higher than ever, high school economics
May 20. We quickly faced losses that could total around $50,000, which is half of the farm’s annual income. Markets were likely to be closed, which would mean even more losses. It was time to bring 20 seasonal workers back, and
the community needed jobs more than ever. $100,000 of fruits and veggies was in danger of rotting in the field. The farm had to do some quick damage control to survive. We asked ourselves, How can we get our food to customers who are under a stay-at- home order? We take it to them! A makeshift online market on the farm’s website and a Facebook post would help the farm survive. The community embraced the farm like never before. Orders poured in requesting delivery as far as an hour away, including Beckley, Hinton, Lewisburg, Pickaway, Princeton, and White Sulphur Springs. The farm was able to recover with $20,000 in sales just in the month of April. The farm
would take over. We were forced to decrease the serving size and increase the price. Orders continued to come in, and PYO guests are thankful for the opportunity to once again experience the outdoors, even at the new price point. It appears the community needs us as much as we need them. The same terrible thing that caused the farm crisis is now, in a strange way, playing a vital role in the recovery process. The community seems to have a new appreciation for premium, safe, locally grown food and also for the opportunity to enjoy family time in a little strawberry patch in the middle of nowhere.
10 wvl • the community issue 2020
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker