HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – People in the tri-state are returning to roots to eat healthier and earn some extra dough.

The first Tri-State Farm and Food Conference at the Douglas Center in Huntington attracted dozens of agricultural hopefuls.

Barbara Workman was one of the beginners who attended the conference.

Workman had to retire early from teaching in Logan County when she was diagnosed with cancer. She now spends her free time growing flowers and vegetables.

"It's very good therapy, just going back to mother earth," she said.

The recent spark in interest in eating more home-grown foods is part of a healthier lifestyle movement.

"With all the reports of the obesity with the programs on TV about nutrition and proper handling of food, I think that's what's really stirred the interest," West Virginia Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Bob Tabb said.

Along with being a relaxing hobby, conference organizers say there's plenty potential to make some big bucks.

They say about 1.2 billion dollars is spent on food in the tri-state annually, with only a small percentage of that money staying in the region.

"The economy's not great right now, but people still continue to eat,” Director of the WVU Extension Small Farm Center Tom McConnell said. “That 1.2 billion dollars spent in this food shed is spent in good years and spent in bad years. People have to eat. It's just a shame that we're not spreading that wealth around and responding to that opportunity."

McConnell says a way people can hold onto more of that money is to start growing more food to be sold to other people rather than sold to be fed to livestock.