Agriculture: CORWIN HEATWOLE

Heatwole started his company in 2014 with a mission to promote and protect generational family farms.

Eight years later, Farmer Focus, formerly known as Shenandoah Valley Organic, has partnered with 73 independent chicken farmers and is on track to exceed 100 partnerships by the end of 2022, ultimately providing organic poultry products to around 1 million consumers.

A substantial number of new farmers were brought on board in February when the company opened a 78,000-square-foot packaging facility in Harrisonburg, which increased production capacity and expanded Farmer Focus’ 700-person-plus workforce.

Heatwole, a sixth-generation farmer, was a 2022 mid-Atlantic finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2021, he received a Progressive Grocer Impact Award.  In January, he and other industry leaders joined President Joe Biden for a virtual White House roundtable discussion on promoting competition and reducing prices in the meat industry.

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: The places I go to relax, unwind and be by myself are the mountains and woods of the Shenandoah Valley. It’s where I can be with my thoughts and think deeply about the things that truly matter for Farmer Focus and me personally.