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Project Everberry
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How we will measure impact

We are designing the measurement framework with university partners before the first site opens, so results are credible from day one.

Propose a Site Partner With Us

Evaluation is being designed with Ohio State University Foods for Health

What we will report

No site is operating yet, so we are not publishing outcome numbers. These are the headline measures we will report as soon as one is.

  • Produce harvested (lbs)
    Reported once a site is operating
  • Households reached
    Reported once a site is operating
  • Water saved (gal)
    Reported once a site is operating
  • CO₂ avoided (tons)
    Reported once a site is operating
  • Jobs (direct)
    Reported once a site is operating
  • Jobs (indirect)
    Reported once a site is operating

Where We're Working

A flagship site in design in Wheeling, with site searches underway in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Measured Outcomes

The outcomes we are measuring across nutrition, energy, and local economic activity.

Nutrition & Utilization

OSU

Ohio State University's Foods for Health program tracks real dietary improvements:

  • ✓ Diet Diversity — Pre/post intervention surveys measuring variety and nutrient intake
  • ✓ Fruit/Veg Servings — Daily consumption tracked against USDA recommendations
  • ✓ Food Security — USDA scale assessment of household access
  • ✓ Recipe Adoption — Families cooking with fresh produce
  • ✓ Pantry Waste Reduction — Improved utilization and less spoilage

Energy & Emissions

PSU

Penn State tracks energy performance and climate impact:

  • ✓ Site Energy Intensity — kWh and therms per pound of produce
  • ✓ % Self-Generation — On-site solar and CHP contribution
  • ✓ CO₂e Reduction — Emissions avoided vs. conventional supply chain
  • ✓ Load-Following — How well energy generation matches greenhouse needs
  • ✓ Resiliency Hours — Operational time during grid outages

Economic Impact

Community

Job creation, training, and local economic development:

Direct Employment

  • • Greenhouse operators
  • • Energy technicians
  • • Distribution staff
  • • Kitchen workers

Training & Development

  • • Paid trainee hours logged
  • • Certifications earned
  • • Career pathway placements
  • • Educational partnerships

Local Economy

  • • Local vendor spend ($)
  • • Small-biz kitchen incubation
  • • Farmers market vendors
  • • Supply chain jobs

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about our measurement approach and how communities can participate.

How will results be verified?
Ohio State's Foods for Health team is helping design the evaluation, and Penn State is modeling energy performance. Once a site is operating, we will publish our methods alongside the results.
Can my county be added to the program?
Yes. Contact us with your local partners and data sources; we review eligibility and capacity. We look for communities with existing food and agriculture infrastructure, willing partners, and alignment with our integrated food-and-energy model.
When will you publish data?
Not until a site is operating. We plan to report headline measures such as harvest, energy use, and jobs on a regular schedule, with survey-based health outcomes assessed on a longer cycle.
What's the baseline for comparison?
County-level food insecurity and health indicators (USDA/CDC) plus pre-program surveys. We will establish baseline measurements before a site opens and track changes over time.
What types of sites does Project Everberry develop?
We are designing integrated food and energy sites featuring controlled-environment agriculture (greenhouses), right-sized power with heat and CO₂ reuse (the EnergiAcres circular energy model), and community distribution networks. Each site is customized to local needs and partner capabilities.
How does the energy system work with food production?
Power is generated close to where it is used, typically with combined heat and power (CHP). Instead of being wasted, the heat helps control greenhouse climate and clean CO₂ from combustion can enrich plant growth. It is the same reuse-based approach EnergiAcres is applying to data-center campuses. Penn State is modeling the cost and efficiency benefits site by site.
Who can benefit from Project Everberry?
Direct beneficiaries include food-insecure households, local farmers, distribution partners, and workforce trainees. Indirect benefits extend to entire communities through improved food access, job creation, and reduced carbon emissions.
What training opportunities are planned?
We are planning greenhouse operations, food safety, distribution logistics, and energy systems training, from short workshops to longer apprenticeships with partner institutions such as Penn State and Ohio State.
How is this different from traditional food banks?
We focus on production, not just distribution. By growing fresh food locally year-round, we aim to provide nutritionally superior produce while creating jobs and building long-term food system resilience. We plan to work with food banks as distribution partners.
What role do universities play?
Penn State leads energy modeling and controls, Ohio State conducts health evaluations, and West Virginia University supports workforce development. Academic partners provide research, evaluation, and technical expertise while training the next generation of practitioners.
How will you measure environmental impact?
We plan to track CO₂ emissions avoided through heat and CO₂ reuse and CHP efficiency, miles saved through local production, water conservation from controlled-environment systems, and food waste reduction, with independent review of the carbon accounting.
Can individuals volunteer or get involved?
Yes. Visit our Get Involved page to volunteer, partner, or ask how to support the project.
What crops will you grow?
We are focusing on nutrient-dense greens (lettuce, kale, herbs), strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, and other high-value crops suited to controlled environments. Crop selection will reflect community preferences, nutritional needs, and market demand.
How is Project Everberry funded?
We're building a blended public-private capital model: planning support from the Appalachian Regional Commission, pursued USDA and DOE programs, private foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors. Revenue from produce sales is designed to help sustain operations while keeping prices affordable for low-income families. We're actively growing this coalition—if your organization wants to help fund a site, we want to talk.
What happens to surplus produce?
Our plan is to distribute surplus through partner food banks, mobile markets, school meal programs, and senior centers, prioritizing fresh food for those who need it most while minimizing waste.

Have more questions? Contact us and we'll be happy to help.

Project Roadmap

From planning to regional transformation—our path forward.

2024–25

Foundational Planning

Complete

Partners aligned; LLK preliminary designs; ARC ARISE planning support secured.

2026

Design & Partnership Development

In Progress

Oglebay greenhouse and agritourism design with LLK, architect and contractor budgeting, an Ohio ARC-eligible site search, and heat-reuse partnerships—while we build the public-private coalition needed to fund a first site.

After funding

First Site, By Partnership

Next

Break ground at Oglebay as public and private funding partners commit, with Ohio and Pennsylvania sites developing in parallel.

Beyond

Replication

Vision

Publish open toolkits and expand the model to additional Appalachian counties through new partnerships.