As the spring semester comes to a close, students at Martin Hall Agency, West Virginia University’s student-run strategic communications firm, are celebrating a season of creativity, collaboration, and real-world impact.
This semester, account teams worked with clients including Nothin’ But Natural, the West Virginia Agritourism Accreditation Program, Sunset Berry Farm, and the Young Innovators Program. Their efforts not only met client goals but also advanced the agency’s broader mission of supporting West Virginia’s communities and businesses.
Bringing Healthy Snacks to Schools
The Nothin’ But Natural team led a rebranding and marketing effort to introduce healthy freeze-dried snacks, produced by Sunset Berry Farm, to a wider audience. Following extensive research—including surveys, taste tests, and school visits—the team identified a promising opportunity: installing vending machines stocked with these nutritious snacks in Summers County Schools. Students designed the vending machine and product packaging and laid the groundwork for the first school installation, blending branding, public health, and education into one impactful initiative.
Building a Brand for West Virginia Agritourism
Students supporting the new West Virginia Agritourism Accreditation Program, a program of WVU Extension, focused on branding a statewide initiative that connects and elevates local agritourism businesses. After presenting initial ideas at the Small Farm Conference in Charleston and incorporating stakeholder feedback, the team unveiled the final branding and signage, crafted in partnership with the West Virginia Men’s Prison woodworking program, at a statewide conference in Canaan Valley. Their work reflects a strong commitment to community-informed design and rural economic development.
Growing Community Connections at Sunset Berry Farm
Through the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAP) program, Martin Hall Agency partnered with Sunset Berry Farm in Alderson, WV, to refresh the farm’s branding and support its expansion efforts. Students created a suite of materials, including brochures, billboards, a new farm stand, and a website, to strengthen the farm’s connection with local and regional audiences. Their work also spotlighted Sunset Berry Farm’s leadership in food accessibility as the first farm in West Virginia to offer online purchasing options for SNAP/EBT users, helping more families access healthy, locally grown produce.
Empowering Young Innovators
Students also supported the Young Innovators Program, a WVU Extension initiative funded by a gift from the Hayhurst family to develop entrepreneurial skills among West Virginia youth. The Martin Hall Agency team crafted a campaign to increase enrollment, strengthen mentor connections, and address barriers faced by students in rural communities. Their messaging emphasized creativity, critical thinking, and confidence, essential skills for the next generation of West Virginia leaders. Further, they worked to develop promotions for the upcoming Mountain State Innovation Summit.
Real-World Learning, Lasting Impact
Across every project, Martin Hall Agency students brought classroom knowledge to life, developed professional portfolios, and made meaningful contributions to the Mountain State. Their research, creativity, and strategic thinking demonstrate what’s possible when young professionals are empowered to lead with purpose.
To learn more about Martin Hall Agency and student involvement opportunities, follow @martinhallagency on social media.