In 2016, our Inside Appalachia team began documenting the lives of six Appalachians who were trying to decide if they could find a stable job and keep their roots in Appalachia, or if they’d have to leave home for opportunities elsewhere. This series won first place for “Best Series” from the Public Media Journalists Association (formerly known as the Public Radio News Directors, Inc.).

Two of the people we followed in this series are Colt Brogan and Crystal Snyder. Both grew up in West Virginia, and they were passionate about finding a way to stay in Appalachia. Both spent two-and-a-half years in a job-training program with the nonprofit Coalfield Development Corp.

“I mean, every part of me feels born and raised here and feels a part of this land,” Colt said. “Just like anywhere else in America right now, it’s gonna take the people inside of it to make it stronger.”

From 2016-2018, Colt and Crystal were part of an apprenticeship program that teaches skills like carpentry, solar panel installation, and farming. Trainees also attend community college classes and earn their associate’s degree. Coalfield Development paid their tuition, but if they didn’t keep their grades up, they could be fired. The program is funded in part by federal money to help coal-producing states transition away from coal.

Roxy ToddColt Brogan

Colt and Crystal signed up for Coalfield’s farming program, called Refresh Appalachia, and they became friends.

“I’m proud to be in the field of agriculture, I’m proud to be on this journey. I don’t know where it’s going but it’s going somewhere good,” Crystal said.

They bonded over their similar backgrounds — both have struggled with multi-generational poverty and substance abuse in their families. But they also shared a sense of determination to succeed, and to overcome the obstacles of their past.

Four years after we began following their story, neither Crystal nor Colt currently live in West Virginia. Colt and Adrianna moved to Ohio. He works in the auto industry. He says it’s good money, but he misses his family, and he and his mom still haven’t reconciled. He and Adrianna are hoping to get married next June.

Roxy Todd/ WVPBCrystal planting squash at a farm in Milton, W.Va.

Crystal meanwhile, moved to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, where she’s pursuing a career as a water operator.

Both say they made the decisions to leave West Virginia, and leave farming, so they could find more financial stability. Both of them still hold a dream to return to West Virginia, and both still have a dream to own their own farms.

Even though they didn’t end up pursuing jobs in agriculture, they say their experience in Refresh Appalachia gave them a sense of what is possible.