Chris Farley worked in the West Virginia coal mines for 11 years straight out of high school.
His recent career change didn't just make his work more eco-friendly, but he's also helping to repair the damage done by the coal mining industry in the process.
As part of the Refresh Appalachia project, he farms land that was once a surface mining site. The idea behind the project is to rejuvenate all the abandoned surface mines and turn them back into productive land for agriculture.
All the workers involved in the project are laid-off coal miners, so this project also provides a huge economic boost and income for countless families, according to Great Big Story.
While it is back-breaking work due to the number of heavy rocks right at the surface of the ground, these farmers have found innovative ways to make it easier.
Chickens run freely and fertilize the land, and with plenty of goats, they can maintain some control over wild bushes and weeds.
And I loved the idea of using hogs to plow up the rock hard surface, which makes it easier to plant and for natural seeding to take place.
What's great about this story is that you can see how devastated the land was before this project took over and completely repurposed it.
Chris is one of GreenCitizen’s writers who has been a long-time advocate of individual responsibility when it comes to the environment. He shares GreenCitizen's passion for making the world a better place every day of the year.
Environment ,
From Coalfields To Organic Farming In West Virginia
by : Chris Bolt | Published: December 12, 2020
The idea behind the Refresh Appalachia is to rejuvenate all the abandoned surface mines and turn them back into productive land for agriculture.
Chris Farley worked in the West Virginia coal mines for 11 years straight out of high school.
His recent career change didn't just make his work more eco-friendly, but he's also helping to repair the damage done by the coal mining industry in the process.
As part of the Refresh Appalachia project, he farms land that was once a surface mining site. The idea behind the project is to rejuvenate all the abandoned surface mines and turn them back into productive land for agriculture.
All the workers involved in the project are laid-off coal miners, so this project also provides a huge economic boost and income for countless families, according to Great Big Story.
While it is back-breaking work due to the number of heavy rocks right at the surface of the ground, these farmers have found innovative ways to make it easier.
Chickens run freely and fertilize the land, and with plenty of goats, they can maintain some control over wild bushes and weeds.
And I loved the idea of using hogs to plow up the rock hard surface, which makes it easier to plant and for natural seeding to take place.
What's great about this story is that you can see how devastated the land was before this project took over and completely repurposed it.
What the full video from Great Big Story below.
Chris Bolt
Chris is one of GreenCitizen’s writers who has been a long-time advocate of individual responsibility when it comes to the environment. He shares GreenCitizen's passion for making the world a better place every day of the year.
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