Jeanna Duerscherl | The Roanoke Times

Richard Ursomarso, owner of Waterbear Mountain Organic Farm, got into farming because he wanted to do something outside working with the seasons.

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Name: Richard Ursomarso
Business: Waterbear Mountain Organic Farm
Products: Organic vegetables and herbs
Location: Raindance Road, Floyd

During his life, Ursomarso, 41, has logged for a living, done carpentry, made chairs and wooden spoons. He has sold honeysuckle vines to basket makers and once managed one of the biggest organic farms in Hawaii.

Now he lives in a house, which runs on solar energy, he built in Floyd County and selectively harvests hardwood off his own land for extra cash during the winter months.

“I’ve never lived in the city,” he said, “so I don’t know if I would like it.”

Every week, Ursomarso drives a van packed full of fresh produce from his farm to the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op. Depending on the season, the van may be filled with lettuce, asparagus, tomatoes, squash, pole beans, herbs or some other produce from his six cultivated acres.

Ursomarso also sells his certified organic produce to Harvest Moon and Sweet Providence in Floyd County, as well as a few restaurants.

“There is more demand every year and there is plenty of market out there,” he said. “The local farmers are just scratching the surface.”