Try This added 23 new projects to the list in 2024, getting communities across the state moving and eating healthier!
2024-2025 MINIGRANTS:
STATEWIDE
MORE KIDS ON BIKES (JUNE):
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The West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League (WV NICA) was founded in 2018. This mountain bike program, open to all youth in 6th-12th grades, hosts teams that practice and compete all over West Virginia. To ensure more youth have access to this program, this project will offer more scholarships and gear to youth in need identified by the various team leaders of WV NICA chapters across the state.
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Project Lead: Cassie Smith, cassie@westvirginiamtb.org
FAYETTE
Garden Rebuild (FEBRUARY):
Smithers is a small community with only a single, small grocery store to offer produce to residents. In 2021, Noel Mitchell, the WVU Extension Health Coordinator, built garden beds at Fayette County Schools through a small WV Master Gardeners grant to promote nutrition education and experiential learning to students in the area. However, over time the garden beds have deteriorated. Since interest and engagement has been so great, this team will be building new, long-lasting beds and will teach a series of gardening and nutrition classes to school-age children at a local daycare center using the Junior Master Gardeners’ “Learn, Grow, Eat, Go” curriculum.
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Project Lead: Noel Mitchell, Nicole.Mitchell1@mail.wvu.edu
GRANT, HAMPSHIRE, HARDY, MINERAL, PENDLETON, TUCKER
Team Hydro (FEBRUARY):
At the Wanishi Foundation, everyone is welcome and community engagement and inclusivity is key. This project aims to teach the value of nutrition through hydroponics systems. With a diverse board speaking 6 languages collectively and representing BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Native Americans, veterans, seniors, and differently-abled people, one thing is clear: growing food is important. The goal is to assemble hydroponics systems at the Wanishi Foundation, but also teach others on how to: assemble their own towers; create a growing plan; source seeds; and the growing, harvesting, and maintenance through these at-home systems. This will cover both store-bought and DIY systems. The produce grown at the Wanishi Foundation will support the community through the local Dignity Pantry, sold for fundraising, and to support an annual Veterans and Volunteers meal.
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Project Lead: Ted Kanamine, wanishifoundation@gmail.com
HAMPSHIRE
Wild & Wonderful Schoolyard (JUNE):
Capon Bridge Elementary School is ready to grow their outdoor classroom dreams! With an existing butterfly garden, a high tunnel, ringed cut log seating, and some raised beds, this project will allow the team to take the next step in their comprehensive and brilliantly designed Wild & Wonderful Schoolyard plan. Their dedicated volunteer team will be building and expanding outdoor classroom space specific to the needs of each grade level. This will include outdoor gardening, beautification, sun shade, seating, and more - all of which can be used to teach students about the environment and how to grow their own food. The ultimate goal is to connect the school grounds to the adjacent park and walking trails and create a truly interconnected community!
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Project Lead: Kate Pacelli, katereese926@gmail.com
HARDY, MINERAL
Happy Kids Club (FEBRUARY):
The WV Department of Agriculture has an “Agriculture in the Classroom” curriculum that this team will implement throughout a summer series of Kids Club at Farmers Markets across Hardy and Mineral counties to encourage both physical activity and nutrition along, alongside youth agriculture skills. They’ll learn how to manage market money, do veggie hopscotch, learn about pests in the garden (good bug, bad bug), and taste different parts of the garlic plant. Families will get a healthy snack and an herbal tea for bringing their little ones to the market!
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Project Lead: Sara Kanamine, happyranchfarm@gmail.com
JEFFERSON, BERKELEY
Local Food Access Expansion Project (JUNE):
Community Markets, Inc. has been supplementing Mountaineer Food Bank food box distributions on a bi-monthly basis at St. Isidore Market. To create a sense of community and make these distribution days more engaging, the team will be hosting activities on site including lawn games, tabletop games, food trucks, and the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission Mobile Recreation Van. Seniors will also be able to redeem vouchers for fresh local food at the markets. These Community Social Markets will support local farmers and will get more fresh, nutritional foods in the hands of community members in Jefferson and Berkeley counties.
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Project Leads: Ellie George, ellie.george@communitymarketsinc.org & Mark Peiffer, mark.peiffer@communitymarketsinc.org
KANAWHA
Cultiv8 Training and Enrichment Garden (FEBRUARY):
Reintegr8 was created to support women recovering from substance use and to provide them with the training and resources needed to succeed after this transition. One of the social enterprises available to these women, Café Appalachia, is located in South Charleston complete with Nan’s Garden, an on-site space (previously supported by Try This) that grows produce for their kitchen and provides a gorgeous eating space to customers. This project will allow them to grow their impact by building new garden space at a farm location and to allow more experiential learning for the women in their program, complete with a curriculum to teach them sustainability through gardening.
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Project Lead: Kat Thongdara, cultiv8@pollen8wv.org
It Takes a Village Too (FEBRUARY):
This team of dedicated and inspiring folks is back to grow a wrestling program alongside camping in Kanawha State Forest and a sports camp for youth in Kanawha County. Mountains of Hope Outreach will partner with Ron Wilkerson’s tai chi youth program to include those youth as well in their hiking and camping activities. While promoting physical activity, these folks are also fostering community, teaching dedication and commitment, highlighting substance use prevention, and how to be a kind human being.
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Project Lead: Jana Cooper, mountainsofhopeoutreach@gmail.com
MERCER
McComas Hope Community Gardens (FEBRUARY):
The town of McComas is a food desert and is in need of fresh, nutritious food. A wonderful volunteer team at the Cane Creek Pentecostal Holiness Church and with the help of Mercer County Extension will build and maintain a community garden at the church to provide for church members, their family and friends, and to donate to the local food bank. Eventually, the team hopes to expand their garden and to potentially add hydroponics options in the future to continue providing fresh produce through the winter months.
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Project Lead: Jennifer Graham, jennifer.graham@mail.wvu.edu
Multi-Generational Wellness Through Movement & Nutrition (JUNE):
This long-time Try This team is always dreaming up new ways to engage Charleston’s West Side community in holistic wellness through movement and nutrition - and this project is no exception! The goal of this season is to combine physical activities like tai chi, kung fu, pickleball, yoga, modified fencing, as well as nutrition education, to engage locals in healthy lifestyle choices. This half-year weekly program will specifically target underserved individuals, especially families, seniors, and youth - particularly those experiencing homelessness - to bridge generational divides and improve health across generations.
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Program Lead: Ron Wilkerson, bm36770@gmail.com
MINGO
Keeping Fit Room (FEBRUARY):
Delbarton has no gym or safe walking space in town that is accessible to youth, seniors, and those with mobility issues. This team wants to change that! With a great volunteer team and schedule, teens, adults, and seniors will be able to visit the new free and accessible exercise space located in the Delbarton Municipal Building. With support from WVU Extension and Family Nutrition Programs, they will coordinate with local schools and the local senior center to arrange programming and potential travel to ensure consistent use by the community to encourage healthy and routine physical activity.
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Project Lead: Tammy Estep, tammy.estep@mail.wvu.edu
MINERAL
Resilient Roots: Cultivating Sustainable Futures (FEBRUARY):
Carol Webb, a retiring agriculture teacher in Mineral County, wants to continue her passion for educating and inspiring youth around growing food! By partnering with Energy Express, she and her team will be offering a few pop-up markets over the course of the summer to provide hands-on learning opportunities about various fruits and vegetables. Students will be able to taste new foods, pick out foods to take home, and sow the seeds of sustainability by showing them they can grow these delicious treasures themselves. Teaching the farm-to-table connection is an important step in helping young minds connecting their communities to the food they eat.
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Project Lead: Carol Webb, cewebb@frontiernet.net
MONONGALIA
Bike Safety Pt. 2 (JUNE):
We Bike WV has distributed hundreds of bikes to youth in Monongalia County and beyond in the past several years - and now, they’re expanding safety and security of those bikes by installing RFID tags and working with local law enforcement to provide equipment and training on RFID tag readers to prevent bike theft. Members on the project team have been victims of bike theft at a time when they did not have the resources to purchase another bike, which can be devastating for youth who use their bike for exercise, joy, and freedom. While all distributed bikes will have an RFID tag installed internally, they will also be promoting the use of RFID tags and RFID tag readers across the community. Eventually, pawn shops and other locations might be able to return more stolen bikes to prevent youth from experiencing the loss of a bike.
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Project Lead: Jeremy Blizard, info@webikewv.org
MONROE, SUMMERS, GREENBRIER, MERCER
JarHead Farms Mobile Coolers (FEBRUARY):
After a local farm project that helped support local food pantries dissolved, JarHead Farms wanted to help fill the gap! They take weekly trips across the state to pick up produce from various local farmers, and want to add additional pop-up markets and provide produce to food bank locations for Monroe, Summers, Greenbrier, and Mercer residents. In order to do this, they will be purchasing mobile coolers and the relevant equipment to install into their delivery trucks to reduce food waste and product loss. Their mobile market will also be visiting senior centers and other potential locations as partnerships grow.
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Project Lead: Natasha Zoe, JarHeadFarms@gmail.com
OHIO
Fun-Raiser Urban Mobile Playground (FEBRUARY):
The Fun-Raiser is a classic Try This project, inspired and shaped by the needs of youth who made the decision to start a traveling playground to bring joy to the youth across Ohio County. With the help of a Try This minigrant back in 2017, this bright yellow truck has been a staple in the community that helps young folks safely enjoy things like bouncing balls, fort building, make-believe play, art, chess, bubble blowing, pogo sticks, sidewalk chalk, etc. It promotes intergenerational play, is a naturally trauma-informed social-emotional way to engage youth, and is just what the title says: FUN! After a new truck was needed, the team found it difficult to create the same sense of safety and familiarity, and needed funds to paint the new truck the same classic yellow and to wrap it in their logo. These funds will ensure this team can continue offering safe, wholesome play to the youth of Ohio County for years to come.
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Project Leads: Connor Morrison & Kate Marshall, hohsharewv@gmail.com
Loveland Community Garden Shed (FEBRUARY):
Grow Warwood Pride will be starting a raised-bed community garden for local residents to grow fruits, vegetables, and learn about gardening with their neighbors. The first year will see 20 beds built and maintained by the volunteer team and residents. In order to keep the space protected from wildlife and weather, the team will build a fence and Try This will support the purchase of a garden shed to provide the necessary tools for all residents to access anytime they come to tend their bed. This will ensure the garden is more equitable and safe for residents who may not have the resources or physical ability to bring their own tools!
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Project Leads: Jasmine Donnell, jasmine.donnell@gmail.com & Chloe Lefchak, volunteer@growov.org
Ohio Valley Junior Roller Derby (FEBRUARY):
After years of a successful adult roller derby league, this team has dreamed of a youth league. Their own children and other youth in the community expressed interest, and with a little help from Try This, they’re ready to take the leap! They will purchase equipment to help youth afford the costs of participating in the team, as well as transportation costs and uniforms. They will also be able to pay for a year of insurance to cover the youth league. After practicing, this youth team will be taking their team on the road for competitions. This is an example of a queer-inclusive, body-positive space aimed at getting young folks who don’t see themselves in traditional sports out and moving, and feeling more confident and strong while doing it!
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Project Lead: Lanette Gilbert-Robinson, lanette.gilbert4@gmail.com
Yoga and Recycling Summer Series (FEBRUARY):
Environmental protection and physical and mental health are passions for this project team. Partnering with the local Family Resource Networks, Solid Waste Authority, and a center that supports those with cognitive disabilities, Rising Up Yoga and other community partners will provide yoga to youth, families, and adults throughout the summer months on a regular schedule. They will also promote recycling on site to help connect the value of caring for your mind and body as well as your environment.
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Project Lead: Karen Shaw, karendshaw@hotmail.com
PRESTON
Health & History - Community Square Dances (JUNE):
Arthurdale Heritage will expand their square dance project by hosting five community square dances at their location throughout the next year. The goal is to honor cultural heritage in Appalachia while also promoting physical activity and community connection. Previous dances have hosted older couples, college students, and family units - even a few grandchildren! They will also offer a 90-minute instructional dance workshop ahead of two of these community square dances to encourage beginners to feel comfortable.
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Project Lead: Elizabeth Satterfield, elizabeth.satterfield@arthurdaleheritage.org
Preston County Bikes (JUNE):
We Bike WV has distributed hundreds of free bikes to youth in WV over the past few years, primarily in Monongalia County. However, they have frequently gotten - and fulfilled - requests to visit other counties to distribute bikes and helmets for free. In an effort to expand their program, this project will allow a new We Bike WV hub to begin in Preston County! Including training and support, as well as connections to bikes and helmets, the We Bike WV crew will also train local Preston County team members in bike repair to ensure a sustainable local biking community.
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Project Lead: Jeremy Blizard, info@webikewv.org
TAYLOR, MARION, BARBOUR, RANDOLPH, PRESTON
Try the Tygart (FEBRUARY):
Recreation at the Tygart Valley River has been a passion of the Taylor County Adventure Club and Save the Tygart Watershed Association. By partnering together, this project will expand activities and make equipment available to multiple groups who can offer watersports activities to local families. This team will purchase kayaks and snorkel sets, along with the associated safety equipment, and host various events to increase the number of folks engaged and to ensure those that don’t have access to equipment can enjoy the Tygart Valley River. Eventually, this team hopes to expand to more underwater exploration and education.
Project Lead: Kelley L. Flaherty, kelley.flaherty@savethetygart.org
UPSHUR
Upshur County Trails Repair & Race (FEBRUARY):
The Upshur County Trails team has been an incredible example of passionate, consistent, and dedicated volunteers. Always eager to enjoy their own trails, this team hosts community hikes and races regularly to get folks out hiking, running, and biking. They’ve also ensured only native plants are put along the route and have even hosted a space for a small fairy garden to engage youth. They frequently upgrade the bike features and provide some bike repair tools on site to encourage safety and self-reliance. This project will allow them to building a bridge at a spot where the trail has eroded at a creek. After this, they will host community mountain bike days to teach local community members how to use the trail and the race route. Every youth participating will receive a bike safety kit to ensure safety and a continued passion for bicycling. This will culminate in a large mountain bike race that is attended by folks all over West Virginia and even outside the state!
Project Lead: Rachel Weber, rachelfweber@yahoo.com
WOOD, MID-OHIO VALLEY
Programming Support at the Amputee Center (FEBRUARY):
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The only amputee-centered gym in the United States, the Amputee Center offers free and accessible gym space to amputees. Located in the same building as a prosthetic company and fitting space, the Amputee Center offers all kinds of adaptive fitness. They host support groups and open gym nights, and also invite the general public to participate in classes for a fee to help support their efforts. From aerial yoga to bungee fitness to harnessed treadmills, there are so many ways to get active in their space. Through this minigrant, they will be able to support additional instructors and classes to encourage community participation and to gauge interest in new, different styles of exercise.
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Program Lead: Stacia Highley, staciahighley@gmail.com