Organic certification at Shepherd’s Agricultural Innovation Center at Tabler Farm covers eight acres where vegetables are produced, including the greenhouse and the field surrounding it. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — For the second year-in-a-row, the Shepherdstown Shares Food Pantry will be acquiring locally-grown, organic produce for its clients from Tabler Farm, which is led by Shepherd University faculty and staff.

Last year, Shepherd University gave produce throughout the farm’s growing season to Shepherdstown Shares, in exchange for funds supporting building the farm’s high tunnel, purchasing seeds and pots and helping to pay for student labor. According to Shepherdstown Shares President Jan Hafer, the arrangement grew into a positive relationship, which her organization’s board wanted to continue.

“This partnership tells the story of community connections and our dependency on each other to achieve the best outcomes possible for our clients,” Hafer said. “Shepherd’s farm and the work they are doing there is truly remarkable, and our community would benefit from learning about this asset in our midst.”

Unfortunately, Tabler Farm realized it would be unable to donate its produce to the food pantry this year, according to its SU Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Tabler Farm Sustainable Agriculture Program Director Peter Vila.

With that knowledge, Shepherdstown Shares’ board began searching for a way to afford to continue giving organic produce to those in need in the 25443 community. Thankfully, Hafer was able to find and help secure the funding for continuing this arrangement through her church, Trinity Episcopal Church.

Tabler Farm is located at 482 Billmyer Mill Road. Tabitha Johnston

According to Hafer, she learned that Trinity Episcopal Church’s diocese, the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, was accepting applications for a COVID Emergency Funding Grant. Soon after the Shepherdstown Shares board applied for the grant, they learned that they had been approved to receive the $5,000.

That amount, unfortunately, was $3,000 short of what Vila and Tabler Farm Coordinator Madison Hale would need, to be able to provide produce for the food pantry. But, once again, the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia saved the day, by agreeing to raise the grant funding to $8,000.

“It is all confirmed and official,” said Shepherdstown Shares Treasurer Mark Kohut via email. “We have been granted the money needed.”

According to Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia Volunteer Project Coordinator Cathy Slemp, selecting the Shepherdstown Shares Food Pantry as the grant recipient, and then agreeing to raise the grant amount, was ultimately an easy decision.

“These funds are aimed at further building out the capacity to grow produce for distribution across the community,” Slemp said. “We look forward to working with [Shepherdstown Shares] on this, and are so appreciative of the wonderful work [Shepherdstown Shares], Trinity (Episcopal Church) and Tabler Farm does in the Shepherdstown community.”

Along with producing organic food, the Agriculture Innovation Center at Tabler Farm is also the location of Shepherd University’s Aquaponics Lab. Tabitha Johnston

Tabler Farm is a 158-acre piece of property that has been used by local farmers for cattle grazing and as an orchard, since it was acquired by Shepherd University in the mid-1990s. Tabitha Johnston