In 2008, after a decade of working for the USDA in agricultural research, Tammy Jordan left her job to focus solely on Fruits of Labor, Inc. (FOL) an enterprise she launched in 2001. FOL’s mission is to work to improve the lives of at-risk youth and adults as an addiction prevention program, as well as adults in recovery from addiction, through training opportunities, mentoring, life skills, and encouragement.  Their nationally certified Culinary and Agricultural Training Center not only provides valuable job skills and resources to enable individuals on their paths toward recovery, but also cafés & bakeries and event catering services for the community.

 

In 2021, on the heels of the success of Fruits of Labor, Seed Sower and Communities of Healing were born. Seed Sower is a recovery home for women where all residents work directly with Fruits of Labor. Seed Sower focuses on outside issues surrounding recovery, including housing, transportation, medication-assisted treatment, group and individual therapy, and financial planning. Communities of Healing is a recovery-to-work ecosystem program designed to spur small business development and employ West Virginians healing from addiction through the growth of social entrepreneurship.

 

Thanks to a 2022 Appalachian Regional Commission Power Grant, FOL is now advancing their agricultural production systems - maple syrup, floriculture, honey, hydroponics/field production, mushrooms, and high tunnel to name a few.

 

Recently, Tammy has been invited to share FOL’s story as a guest speaker at the HerStory Global Summit in Washington, D.C. on March 8th. The event brings together women, from all cultures and creeds, to share inspirational and uplifting personal stories and experiences of issues that are affecting women – socially, economically, and environmentally. FOL will also have a booth at the event to encourage other communities to consider implementing their model of support. More information about the summit and tickets (including a virtual option) are available at https://www.herstorycircle.net/.

 

To learn more about Fruits of Labor please click below.