Tommy and David were able to visit the Powell River Project in Wise County Virginia with Phil Meeks and Bear Early!!  The Powell River Project started in 1981 with Virginia Tech completing research and demonstrations on the site for reclamation.  The project includes roughly 1,100 acres with 200 acres in pasture land for their cattle herd.  Issues with reclaimed coal mined land include fertility and drought prone soils.

From there we traveled to the farm of Starling and Gwen Fleming,  they have a herd of roughly 40 black Angus pastured on mined lands.   They have been in the cattle business for roughly 30 years.  Starling has many different management issues then the traditional farmer, but has adapted his system well.  Starling is a strict when it comes to culling cows that do not fit his job description for his herd.  If they calve out of season or have issues, they will be on the list to cull.