FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Charlottesville, VA — Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region (VCWP) is piloting an innovative Charlottesville Learning Lab with a series of hands-on, career-focused experiences highlighting agriculture, food systems, and entrepreneurship in the first week of June.

As part of the week’s programming, local experts are engaging students through interactive sessions that connect classroom learning to real-world career pathways:

  • Stephanie Miller, Mystic Pines Farm:
    A fourth-generation herbalist and experienced grower, Stephanie Miller shared her journey cultivating a five-acre farm using sustainable, Afro-Indigenous growing practices. Students explored food production, herbal medicine, and value-added products such as teas, syrups, and soaps, and learned how agriculture intersects with culture, wellness, and entrepreneurship.
  • Arianne Morton, Cattle Run Farm:
    Through a youth-friendly introduction to beekeeping, Arianne Morton guided students in understanding the critical role of pollinators, hive management, and the importance of bees in local agriculture and environmental sustainability.
  • Shawn Woodfolk, Hidden Pines Food Processing:
    Representing the processing and production side of the food system, Shawn Woodfolk demonstrated how raw agricultural products are transformed into packaged goods, emphasizing food safety, value-added production, and small-scale business operations.

Together, these experiences illustrate three distinct pathways within the agricultural and food systems sector: land stewardship, production, and value-added enterprise, providing students with a comprehensive view of career opportunities in this growing industry.

“The Charlottesville Learning Lab is designed to expose students to meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities that connect education to career pathways,” said Sarah Morton, Executive Director of Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region. “By bringing in local practitioners, we’re helping students see the real-world impact of agriculture and entrepreneurship in their own communities.”

The Charlottesville Learning Lab is part of VCWP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen workforce development by connecting youth with high-demand industries and local employers.

For more information about VCWP programs and upcoming events, visit www.vcwpiedmont.com

Media Contact:
Sarah Morton, Executive Director
Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region
smorton@vcwpiedmont.com
(434) 290-0026