3 PillarZ Farm

In the decades since John F. Kennedy launched a program in 1961 to help alleviate the shocking poverty he witnessed campaigning across Appalachia, the federal government has poured more than $3.6 billion into trying to ease the hardship in McDowell County.

It hasn’t worked.

Here in the heart of America’s War on Poverty, some two-thirds of households with children still get food stamps, among the nation’s highest rates, and the estimated median household income hovers around $35,000.

Nonfarm employment has plummeted 78% since 1975, according to data compiled by West Virginia University economist John Deskins, as the coal that once powered this rugged place is now mostly mined with machines, if at all, and no other industry has replaced it.

The county has lost 67% of its residents over those years, the largest drop in West Virginia, its population dwindling from just over 51,000 to roughly 17,000.

With little faith left in government to break the cycle of poverty, those who remain say it’s up to them to forge a brighter economic path.

Read more: 🔗 https://on.wsj.com/3Y2AmhD

Proud of our home within the The Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania - Come see us and enjoy the Wilds!

One of the largest expanses of green between New York City and Chicago, the Pennsylvania Wilds is largely rural and forested, and it offers a rich history and culture. Here, the way of life is intertwined with nature and stewardship.

Designated as a Conservation Landscape by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and a Tourism Region by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for its unique natural and cultural assets, the PA Wilds is home to more than 2 million acres of public land.

Learn more at https://www.pawildscenter.org/the-pa-wilds-region/.

NWPA, we have some work to do…

🏫 For the 2023-24 school year, across Pennsylvania, 1.89% of public school students (roughly 28,600 children) were identified as experiencing homelessness. This week's shows how each school district compares to that statewide rate.

The Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program helps ensure these students have access to education and support services ➡️ https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/instruction/elementary-and-secondary-education/homeless-education.

Families or students in need can also reach out for assistance by calling PA 211 or visiting ➡️ https://www.pa211.org/.

🔗 https://www.rural.pa.gov/datagram/710/Percentage-of-Pennsylvania-Public-School-Students-Reported-Homeless-2023-24-School-Year

Huge thanks to Impact Corry for giving 3PF the opportunity to share its story and mission! Checkout the podcast🤠🙏

Great article on multi-species grazing with fencing guidance by our good friend Russ Wilson Wilson Land & Cattle Co. - very worth the read for beginning farmers and those considering instituting rotational grazing on their farms!!

SGF's Multi-Species Grazing and Fencing By Russ Wilson Multi-species grazing made simple—Russ Wilson shares practical methods, fencing tips, and strategies to manage cattle, sheep, goats & more for better soil and profit.

So thankful for the community we're building! Our October Regenerative Ag Field Day with Russ (Wilson Land & Cattle Co.), Dan (Tamarack Farms Piedmontese Beef), and Haze with PSU's AgrAbility Program brought people from as far away as Scranton, PA! 🤠

Proud of Ta’s work through The PA Wilds to promote the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities and small communities of PA’s Northern Tier, including our home, Warren County!
Warren Worx
Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry
Warren County Visitors Bureau

Congratulations, Ta Enos! The staff members of the PA Wilds Center are so proud to know that our leader is being recognized by Governor Shapiro for the good work she does throughout our rural region.

Tataboline Enos, founder and CEO of the nonprofit PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, and author of Proudly Made: A Story of Reinvention in the Big Woods and Small Towns of the Pennsylvania Wilds, was honored by Governor Josh Shapiro as a recipient of the Governor’s Keystone Award, which recognizes outstanding community leadership and service.

Read the full story: https://www.pawildscenter.org/blog/enos-governors-keystone-award/

Today marks our 18th Farm-a-versary, commemorating the purchase of our Panama farm. Thank you to all of our farm family for your support through the years!

Anytime the song "Buy Dirt" comes on the radio, this is the mental picture in my head...this photo was taken the day we bought the farm (Nov. 1, 2007). Happy Farm-a-versary, David Munsee . That was a great day, with many more great days since. ♥️♥️♥️

You can buy dirt
And thank the good Lord for it
'Cause He ain't makin' any more of it
Buy dirt
Find the one you can't live without
Get a ring, let your knee hit the ground
Do what you love but call it work
And throw a little money in the plate at church
Send some prayers up and your roots down deep
Add a few limbs to your family tree
And watch their pencils marks, and the grass in the yard
All grow up
'Cause the truth about it is it all goes by real quick
You can't buy happiness
But you can buy dirt

Proud to have ANF in our “backyard” 😉

The Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania is a sprawling wilderness paradise, offering over half a million acres of rugged beauty, winding trails, and peaceful lakes. Established in 1923, it’s Pennsylvania’s only national forest and a haven for outdoor lovers looking to hike, camp, fish, or simply breathe in the pine-scented air. From the stunning Kinzua Bridge Skywalk—where you can stand high above a forested gorge—to the serene waters of the Allegheny Reservoir, the landscape feels untouched and timeless. In autumn, the forest bursts into fiery shades of red, gold, and orange, making it one of the best leaf-peeping destinations in the state. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, scenic drives, or a bit of quiet off the grid, the Allegheny National Forest captures the wild, untamed spirit of Pennsylvania.

'I think I should help others whenever I can': A farmer is paying it forward with free food for families amid the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits https://www.wcax.com/2025/10/31/farmer-paying-it-forward-with-free-food-families-amid-uncertainty-snap-benefits/