BBG AgriCULTURE Spotlight: Licia Pannell of Unity Sisters Farms

By Traci Phillips | BBG AgriCULTURE

On Charleston’s West Side, Unity Sisters Farms is planting more than crops—it’s planting legacy, visibility, and hope. Founded by Licia Pannell, who comes from generations of farmers, the farm is both a continuation of family tradition and a bold new vision for the future of agriculture in West Virginia.

“Agriculture is in my blood,” said Pannell, founder of Unity Sisters Farms. “My father and grandfather both farmed, and farming became a way for me to reconnect with that legacy while creating something meaningful for my children and my community.” What began with a few chickens has grown into a farm with poultry, bees, flowers, herbs, and a growing vision for education and engagement.

Unity Sisters Farms is named after Pannell’s daughters, who she hopes will inherit not just land and livestock but values—self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship, and community building. It is farming as both tradition and transformation. The farm produces eggs, honey, poultry, herbal teas, flowers, and handmade products like beeswax candles and honey soaps. But what makes Unity Sisters unique is its pairing of production with education. Plans are already in place to partner with Mary C. Snow Elementary to give kids hands-on opportunities to learn about pollinators, food systems, and farming in a way that feels fun and empowering.

Like many Black growers in Appalachia, Pannell faces challenges of representation and access. “There aren’t many visible Black farmers in West Virginia, which means fewer mentors and networks to lean on,” she explained. “And often you’re the only person of color in the room. It can be isolating, but it fuels me to keep going, because every step I take opens doors for the next generation.”

That determination also drives Unity Sisters Farms’ impact. The farm provides fresh, local food while also creating educational opportunities for children and families. Its practices protect pollinators, improve soil health with flowers and herbs, rotate flocks for sustainability, and teach others how to care for the land responsibly.

Looking ahead, Pannell envisions Unity Sisters Farms growing into a full agritourism destination—a place where families can pick flowers, learn about bees, collect eggs, and enjoy nature. Plans include seasonal farm events, a market box program, and spaces where agriculture becomes a source of learning, healing, and joy.

For her, the visibility of Black farmers in West Virginia is essential. “Representation matters,” Pannell said. “Farming is powerful—it gives us control over our food, our land, and our future. When our young people see Black farmers in West Virginia, they know they belong here too. Farming is not just our history—it’s our future.”

Unity Sisters Farms reminds us that agriculture is not only about what we grow from the ground, but about what we sow into our communities. Through chickens, bees, flowers, and the power of visibility, Pannell is cultivating a legacy that will bloom for generations

Unity Sisters Farms is located in Kanawha County, WV.

Connect: pannelllicia@gmail.com