Charleston area farm earns top U.S. small business honor

More than 12,000 businesses applied for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 CO-100 Top 100 Small Businesses in America award. One of those recipients is Laurel Fork Farm, located in the rural areas of Tucker and Randolph counties. The farm was named to the list this month in the Champions of Adaptability category.

Marsha Waybright and her husband originally owned the 400-acre property while holding outside jobs to support themselves. They renovated an existing home on the land and opened a bed and breakfast. Waybright noted that guests wanted to learn about daily farm tasks, such as making jelly and jam, during their stays. This interest led her to join the local chamber of commerce and eventually enter the national competition.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce stated that the selected businesses overcome challenges and enrich community impact. Waybright said the farm has evolved into a multi-faceted operation involving her, her husband, and a group of local entrepreneurs. The property now hosts tours, classes, and dinners. It also features a gift shop, fiber art products, and birds of prey demonstrations. Educational workshops are conducted through the non-profit West Virginia School of Traditional Skills.

Waybright said that making a living on a small farm in West Virginia is difficult. She credited the additional revenue streams for the farm’s survival. “Those extra lines of revenue that we’ve created is what saved the farm,” Waybright said.

The farm owner described the operation as a lifestyle that extends beyond agriculture. “Whenever you’re passionate about what you do, that’s how you live a life you don’t need a vacation from,” she said. She emphasized that daily excitement replaces the need for long annual breaks.

The farm continues to offer its full schedule of activities to visitors. The business remains a central part of the community in Tucker and Randolph counties.