Turtle on a Post Farm & West Virginia Farming
Episode Notes
Turtle on a Post Farm is a family-owned/generationally-owned farm in Harrison County West Virginia and is working hard to bring farming back to life; not only do they sell plant starts and fresh produce, but they’re growing something brand new to the county - hops for microbrewing.
After 25 years as a fire fighter in Newport News, VA, Bryan Brown retired and moved back to West Virginia with dreams of starting a farm on family land that dates back over 100 years - and they even have the barn to prove it! Bryan's great grandfather, Roy Nixon, built the barn at the end of WWI. It is said that while he was in Clarksburg picking up the last load of materials for the barn , he heard on the radio that the armistice was signed, bringing an end to the war. That now-famous date was November 11, 1918. The Brown family would like to preserve the barn for future generations to enjoy; it is part of their mission as they grow their farm.
Bryan and Jenn have been married since 2015 (in fact, they got married in their heritage barn) and run the farm with the help of their three amazing children.
Visit Turtle on a Post Farm
Turtle On a Post Farm has a roadside farm stand selling their plant starts, garlic, and fresh produce. It is unmanned and runs on the honor system. They also grow produce for wholesale markets and hops for local brewing. They take pride in farming naturally ensuring no synthetic pesticides or herbicides are used on their products.
Whats with the farm name?
During Bryan’s work as a bomb tech, trainees were taught to look for the turtle on a fence post. The meaning of this seems odd - as it should - because the bomb techs were taught to look for something that doesn't belong, or was placed there by someone else. The turtle didn't put himself on that post, and now has to figure out what to do with himself. That saying began to resonate with us as a family, God placed us here on this land, and we now have to figure out what to do with ourselves.
Mountaineer Country Farm Crawl
What’s a Farm Crawl? It’s a whole day dedicated to getting folks out and about, exploring the vibrant farming scene in Harrison, Marion, and Monongalia County. Guests are invited to come learn how and where their food is grown and about local agriculture.
This is a self-directed event where you drive from farm to farm in any order you like. You choose how many farms you would like to see and how much time you would like to spend at each one. Some stops have demos, tours, workshops, yoga, food, activities or products for sale. There is something for everyone. We have vegetable farmers, a hop farmer, a petting zoo, flower farms, and Operation Welcome Home.
The First Annual Farm Crawl is July 27 & 28th from 10am - 4pm.
Free for the whole family
No pets allowed
Farms Participating:
Fern Fay Farm
Turtle on a Post Farm
Stone House Lavender
Operation Welcome Home
Mountain Harvest Farm
Wild Goats Farm
More information at www.MountaineerFarmCrawl.com
Contact the Turtle on a Post Farm
ADDRESS
157 Middletown Rd
Shinnston, WV, 26431-7289
United States
FARM STAND HOURS
Mon - Fri: 9am - 7pm
Saturday: 9am - 7pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Facebook
Insta
Credits
Host, Research, & Scheduling: Martha Jett
Production & Marketing: Beth Gain and Clarksburg History Museum volunteers
Mixing & Editing: J. Joseph
Music: West Virginia Mountain Melody performed by Steve Peters
Cover Artwork: Vintage Hops Illustration Public Domain
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Amazon Music