MOUNTAINEER SPOTLIGHT: WVU alum brings fresh, local food to Cheat Lake community
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When West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources alum Levi Watson finished graduate school, opening a market in Cheat Lake wasn't part of his plan.
However, today, the Morgantown native is a co-founder and manager at Pleasant Hill Farm and Produce, a community market and farm offering locally grown produce and West Virginia-made products.
Watson earned a bachelor's degree in sustainable design and development with a minor in horticulture from the WVU Davis College before completing his master's in business at the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics.
While pursuing his master's degree, a friend approached Watson about creating a small farming operation to grow and sell crops locally. After successfully growing produce on a half-acre plot and selling it to family and friends for about a year, the pair decided it was time to go even bigger.
"We sat down and thought, 'What if we go all in?'" Watson said.
Now, Pleasant Hill Farm and Produce operates on a 17-acre property in the Brookhaven area of Morgantown, growing a variety of spring, summer, and fall crops, including tomatoes, peppers, watermelons, and pumpkins. The farm changes what they grow from year to year based on customer demand.
The produce market, located in the Cheat Lake area, has quickly gained popularity since opening in August. Before opening the market, Watson was selling his produce from a hay trailer parked beside the farm.
With no traditional grocery store in the area, Watson hopes to provide a convenient local option for the community.
"Not only do we want to be a source for locally grown food, but we also want to build a family-friendly, community-centered market," Watson said.
He believes the demand for locally grown food is increasing as people become more interested in knowing where their food comes from. Transparency was one of Watson's main priorities when it came to opening the market, so produce and specialty products are clearly labeled with the farm or business they came from.
The long-term goal with the Pleasant Hill Farm and Produce market is to be more than just a place to grab fruit and vegetables. While fresh produce is the main product sold at the market, they also offer honey, coffee, jams, jellies, salt, and other pantry staples. The hope is to eventually offer even more by adding locally sourced meat, dairy products and eggs.
Watson credits his time at WVU with helping prepare him for the world of agriculture and entrepreneurship. His time at the Davis College gave him a foundation in agriculture, while his graduate business education helped him manage and grow Pleasant Hill Farm and Produce.
Just as valuable, he said, are the connections he developed through the Davis College and WVU Extension.
"Being so close to the University and being able to ask questions when things come up, with faculty and staff always ready to give advice, has been extremely helpful," Watson said.
As his business continues to grow, Watson remains focused on serving the community and helping customers understand where their food is coming from.
"We're slowly learning people's names and getting to know the community," Watson said. "Being a source of local food for this community has always been the goal."
The Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources envisions a West Virginia with healthy food, resilient natural resources, and thriving communities. To learn more about the Davis College, visit davis.wvu.edu. Keep up with the latest updates and news on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube by following @WVUDavis.