Saturday, August 2, 2025
63.9 F
Beckley
More

    WVDA to hold dairy industry meetings in November

    The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is inviting milk producers and the public to discuss the state of the dairy industry in West Virginia and will host five meetings in November to gather input, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.

    Advertisement

    “The dairy industry is struggling across the country, just as it is here in West Virginia," Leonhardt said.

    "As genetics improve and demand stays flat, farmers are finding it harder to stay afloat. Our goal is to discuss how we can improve the regulatory process, as well as find new ways to grow the industry."

    The WVDA will begin regulating milk products as of January 1, 2020, per the state Legislature, which transferred authority from the Department of Health and Human Resources during the 2019 session.

    Advertisement

    The two agencies have been working together to transfer all resources and information over the last six months. Previously, the WVDA only regulated Grade-B milk products as well as managed the state’s herd-sharing program, Leonhardt said.

    “We have a lot of experience related to the dairy industry housed within the department," he said, "but we thought it was appropriate to hear from the public as we take on this new responsibility. Our goal is to have a clear plan on how to move the industry forward."

    The public meetings will be held on the following dates at locations at Ripley, Kearneysville, Union, Triadelphia, and Kingwood.

    • 7 p.m. November 4 – Cedar Lakes Conference Center (Holt Lodge), 82 FFA Drive, Ripley, West Virginia 25271
    • 7 p.m. November 6 – Kearneysville Tree Fruit Research and Education Center, 67 Apple Harvest Lane, Kearneysville, West Virginia 25430
    • 12 p.m. November 14 – Monroe County Diner, 37 Main Street, Union, West Virginia 24983
    • 7 p.m. November 19 – Highlands Convention Center, 355 Wharton Circle, Triadelphia, West Virginia 26537
    • 11 a.m. WVU Extension Office – Kingwood, 115 West Court Street, Kingwood, West Virginia 26537

    For more information or to RSVP, contact Rachel Shockey at 304-558-2226 or rshockey@wvda.us

    Advertisement

    How to make butter at home—West Virginia style


    Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. Sign me up!
    Clyde Craig
    Clyde Craighttp://wvexplorer.com
    Clyde Craig is a writer for West Virginia Explorer. Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, he traveled with his family across the globe with the U.S. Army before returning to the Mountain State in 2011.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    Unique northern panhandle of West Virginia created by historic dispute

    WEIRTON, W.Va — West Virginia's remarkable shape is partly...

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a...

    Wild and Wonderful: A journey through West Virginia’s most beautiful places

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There's a reason West Virginia is...

    Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and...

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in...

    Topics

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories