News & Stories

Benjamin Franklin Middle School math teacher Jennifer Hatch is a 26-year veteran educator with some impressive credentials. In 2015 she was awarded the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Teacher of the Year award. And in 2022-2023 she garnered recognition from all over the state for her creative use of classroom gardening to teach math.

Liz and Cricker Brooks are a husband-and-wife team who founded and operate Wild Hare Farm in Ferrum, VA. They are first-generation farmers who grow certified organic vegetables for Franklin County and beyond. Their business grew out of a desire to, “work together, a love of the outdoors, good food, and a Franklin County community who has showed up to support us since year one,” says Liz.  

Now entering their 6^th growing season, they are proud to grow everything they sell on Saturday mornings at the Rocky Mount Farmers Market and through their online store for delivery to the Smith Mountain Lake area. 

We were thrilled to catch up with Liz and Cricker to hear more about their beautiful organic farm and why they think Franklin County shines. 

Franklin County’s Office of Economic Development is working with the community to develop an Economic Development Strategic Plan. The Plan will identify short and long-range recommendations to promote balanced growth, enhance quality of life for residents, and enrich the future marketability of Franklin County as a place to live, visit, and invest in.

As a part of this effort there will be a community input session held to summarize findings of the initial strategic assessment and garner input from the community about future needs in business, housing, employment, etc.

This presentation style meeting will be held at the Pigg River Community Center at 2410 South Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA on Tuesday, April 4th at 6:00pm.

For more information on Franklin County’s Office of Economic Development Strategic Planning efforts please contact Beth Simms at 540-482-6699 or beth.simms@franklincountyva.gov