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.
FAIRLEA, W.Va. — The State Fair of West Virginia reported more than 170,000 people attending, an exceptional attendance despite rains that fell across the Mountain State in August. State Fair CEO Kelly Collins said that the economic impact of the annual event was high. Fairgoer spending on food grossed more than $3.5 million, and Reithoffer … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—Over the last four years, the number of farmers’ markets in West Virginia has nearly tripled, according to the W.Va. Department of Agriculture. In 2019, there were 93 registered markets across the state. Now there are 267, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “Coming out of a pandemic that shut down food manufacturers, … Read more
Concerns about a decline in bees and butterflies have grown recently. Still, according to a state biologist, West Virginians have a unique opportunity to offer their lush environment to support pollination worldwide. Lawns need not be trim and extensive, and gardeners may find online sources of native plants that are better suited to the environment … Read more
Making maple syrup used to be fairly common in West Virginia, though as more people began buying sugar and other syrups at the store, the practice faded. Technology, however, is putting put a new twist on this old tradition. The Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University is playing a key role in introducing new … Read more
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has announced a request for applications for its 2022 Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Grant Program, according to state Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. Leonhardt lauded the program as an ideal means to help emerging farmers build careers. “As we continue to see the age of the farmer rise, … Read more
The worst of the pandemic seemingly over, West Virginia may witness the enthusiastic return of community ramp feasts in spring 2022, according to the publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. Celebrations of the wild leek, known regionally as the “ramp,” have long been the focus of community gatherings in the Mountain State, where it is … Read more
I hunt for undomesticated plants. Even though I have a substantial vegetable garden, which supplies my family with a steady supply of fresh, frozen, and canned corn, beans, onions, carrots, lettuce, spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, I still forage for wild salad plants. I can’t imagine doing otherwise. Because it’s fun, I do what one person described … Read more
The Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University and a statewide group of partners are announcing the fifth-annual Student Agriculture Innovation Challenge to encourage problem-solving and innovation among West Virginia students interested in agriculture. Students in grades 7-through-12 are eligible to compete for multiple prizes, including a grand prize of $1,000 cash, an iPad, and … Read more
Create Buckhannon has been named the winner of the 2021 West Virginia Vanguard Agriculture Competition, a statewide contest sponsored by the Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University that honors innovation and ingenuity in agriculture. The annual award recognizes a West Virginia entrepreneur or organization whose idea has the greatest potential to solve logistical challenges … Read more
A warm winter led to a decline in syrup production in West Virginia in 2021, though state Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said the industry continues to grow statewide. “Weather remains a key factor for how successful our maple seasons end up,” Leonhardt said of the low yield reported this week. “If it is too … Read more
