West Virginia Farming Community Mourns the Sudden Loss of Trey Yates, Owner of Greenbrier Dairy LLC
MEADOW BRIDGE, WV — A wave of grief has swept across the rural heart of West Virginia following the sudden and heartbreaking death of Trey Yates, the 28-year-old owner and operator of Greenbrier Dairy LLC in Meadow Bridge. Trey was tragically killed in a car accident on Saturday, May 31, leaving behind a grieving family, a stunned agricultural community, and a legacy of hard work, innovation, and community spirit.
Trey’s passing is being felt deeply not only in Meadow Bridge, but across Fayette and Greenbrier counties and beyond. As the founder and driving force behind Greenbrier Dairy, he was widely respected as a young agricultural entrepreneur whose love for farming was as deep as his roots in West Virginia soil.
A Life Built on Passion, Purpose, and Community
Trey Yates was not your average farmer. He was a dynamic force in West Virginia agriculture—equal parts business owner, community leader, and advocate for sustainable farming. Raised in a tight-knit family of farmers, Trey grew up working the land, learning early the values of resilience, responsibility, and respect for nature.
He took those lessons to heart and launched Greenbrier Dairy LLC, a venture that quickly grew into a regional staple. Trey’s dairy was known not just for its high-quality products but for its ethical practices, local hiring, and his deep commitment to supporting other small farms. He was admired by peers and industry professionals alike for blending modern farming techniques with traditional values.
“Trey was the kind of farmer that gave this industry hope,” said a fellow agricultural business owner. “He believed in doing things the right way, even when it was hard. He was passionate about his cows, his land, and his people.”
Tragedy Strikes
The accident that claimed Trey’s life occurred late Saturday night. Authorities report that the crash involved a single vehicle and took place on a rural road not far from his family farm. Despite swift response from local emergency services, Trey succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Local law enforcement is still investigating the cause of the crash, though no foul play is suspected. News of Trey’s death quickly rippled through the area, prompting an outpouring of grief from friends, neighbors, fellow farmers, and community members who knew him well.
An Irreplaceable Loss
At just 28 years old, Trey Yates was widely seen as a rising star in agriculture—a young man whose leadership, integrity, and vision were shaping the future of farming in Appalachia.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture released a statement honoring Trey’s contributions:
“Trey Yates represented the best of West Virginia’s farming tradition: humble, hardworking, and committed to the land and the people it sustains. His loss is immeasurable. Our thoughts are with his family, employees, and the entire Meadow Bridge community.”
Trey’s employees, many of whom considered him more family than boss, have expressed their heartbreak publicly. “Trey didn’t just run a business—he built a community,” said one longtime dairy worker. “He taught us to take pride in our work, to treat every animal with care, and to look out for each other.”
A Community in Mourning
Vigils have been held in Meadow Bridge and neighboring towns, where candles and flowers have been placed at the gates of Greenbrier Dairy. The community has come together to share stories, offer comfort, and celebrate the life of a young man who made a big impact in a short time.
Local churches are organizing memorial services and meal trains to support the Yates family, while agricultural associations are raising funds to help maintain Trey’s legacy through scholarships and farm support initiatives.
Neighbors speak of Trey not only as a farmer and businessman, but as a generous friend—someone who would drop everything to help bale a neighbor’s hay, repair a broken tractor, or mentor a high school student in the FFA program.
“Trey was the definition of a hometown hero,” one resident said. “He loved this place and gave it everything he had.”
Remembering Trey Yates
Trey is survived by his parents, siblings, extended family, and many dear friends and colleagues. Funeral arrangements are being made and will include a celebration of life service open to the public, as well as a memorial on the Greenbrier Dairy grounds, where Trey spent some of his happiest days.
Plans are already in motion to establish the Trey Yates Agricultural Legacy Fund, a foundation that will provide scholarships to young farmers and support local 4-H and FFA programs—organizations Trey believed in deeply.
A Legacy of Love, Labor, and Leadership
Though his life was tragically short, Trey Yates leaves behind a legacy that will endure in the barns, fields, and hearts of those he touched. His vision for local agriculture, his relentless work ethic, and his love for his community have inspired many—and will continue to do so for generations to come.
As Meadow Bridge and the broader West Virginia farming community continue to mourn, they do so with the knowledge that Trey’s story, though tragically cut short, is one of extraordinary purpose and enduring impact.
Rest in peace, Trey Yates. Your hands worked the soil, your heart fed a community, and your spirit will never be forgotten.