Agriculture in West Virginia plays a vital role in supporting the state’s economy, rural communities, and sustainable way of life. With fertile farmland and family-owned farms, West Virginia produces high-quality crops, livestock, dairy products, and specialty goods like maple syrup and honey. Local agriculture provides fresh, healthy food for residents and visitors while fueling farmers markets, farm-to-table restaurants, and agritourism experiences that attract tourists. The agriculture industry also helps preserve open spaces, protect natural resources, and maintain the scenic landscapes that define the Mountain State. By supporting local farmers and sustainable practices, West Virginia’s agriculture industry strengthens rural economies and promotes a healthy, resilient future for generations to come. Welcome to the Agritourism news directory at West Virginia Explorer. Be sure to visit our Agritourism guide for more information about agritourism in West Virginia.
Do you have a favorite West Virginia ramp dinner or festival you’d like to share with the public? We’d like to hear from you. Now in its fifth year of publication, our guide to 2018 Ramp Feasts and Festivals is annually visited by more than 10,000 visitors, according to publisher and editor-in-chief David Sibray, who encourages readers to share the list … Read more
The fourteenth annual West Virginia Small Farm Conference begins on February 21 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, West Virginia. “West Virginia has over 20,000 farms. Most of those operations are small. This gives West Virginia one of the highest percentages of small farms in the country,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “These … Read more
Participation in the USDA’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrient Program increased in West Virginia in 2007, underscoring the value of farmers markets in terms of health and economics, says the state’s commissioner of agriculture. “Farmers markets are about more than just supporting your local farmer. They are viable options to distribute healthy food to citizens,” commissioner … Read more
To meet the demands of West Virginia’s growing maple-syrup industry, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and the W.Va. Maple Syrup Producers Association are teaming up to offer an introductory maple seminar for aspiring entrepreneurs. Last year, West Virginia’s maple industry saw a 33-percent increase in production, according Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt, and a … Read more
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture will host its annual Beef-for-Fathers’-Day event June 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Capitol Market in Charleston. The event will showcase the best of what the beef industry in West Virginia has to offer, according to Kent Leonhardt, commissioner of the department, who lauds cattle farmers … Read more
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park invites the public to attend its heirloom gardening program “City Farming: Food in the Backyard” on Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21, from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. During the Industrial Revolution and before the mass production of processed foods ordinary citizens often depended on small kitchen gardens for sustenance right … Read more
Have you ever seen a ramp or attended a ramp dinner? Proud West Virginia fans of the ramp are sharing photos of their favorite ransom feasts. Have a minute to spend sifting through photos of this uniquely North American tradition? Do you have photos of ramp dinners you’d like to share? Please contact us for … Read more
