Farmers in Mathews County are coming together to explore a new way to strengthen their farms, boost local food access, and keep more value in the community: a farmer-led agricultural cooperative. The first planning meeting was held last Friday at the Mathews County Extension office, sparking excitement and collaboration among area producers, according to a press release. “We’ve been dreaming about ways to make our farms stronger together for years,” said Mark Zamanian, owner and operator of Blessed Harmony Farm. “A cooperative run by farmers, for farmers, could help us secure fair prices and ensure our produce stays local. It’s thrilling to finally take real steps toward that vision.” The proposed cooperative aims to tackle shared challenges that local farmers face, including low market prices, rising costs, limited storage, and transportation hurdles, said the release. By working together under a farmer-led model, the cooperative would provide practical solutions, build resilience, an...