Just across the Monongahela River in Westover, Jordon Masters, a native to the state, has been working on what he believes will be a game changer for the Appalachian community.
MicroGenesis was founded by Masters after he won the business plan competition hosted by WVU in 2015. Through the competition and networking, Masters was able to grow his venture.
Inside MicroGenesis, there are rows of microgreens, baby greens, herbs and mini heads of romaine lettuce, but because of its innovative design, the possibilities of what can be grown are endless.
“The irrigation system we designed is a hybrid system, so it's hydroponic and non-hydroponic, but the beauty is it can grow whatever I want it to,” Masters said.
Looking forward, Masters hopes to see his project benefit other local farmers throughout West Virginia.
“We want to spread out amongst the state, so instead of having 100 acres of greenhouse under one roof, we have 100 acres of greenhouse amongst a whole group of farmers,” Masters said. “We wanted to do that, so we can develop what will probably end up being an agricultural revolution.”