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.
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
The craft beverage industry in West Virginia is getting a boost from the Robert C. Byrd Institute, which has launched an initiative to expand the use of specialty crops in state-made drinks. Bill Woodrum, director of the institute’s entrepreneurship and agricultural programs, said the burgeoning industry can help boost the growth of other state industries … Read more
The W.Va. Department of Agriculture through January 19, 2021, is accepting applications for U.S. Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grants. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt says specialty crops are the future of agriculture in the Mountain State and anticipates West Virginia will receive approximately $270,000 from the federal government from which multiple grants will … Read more
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded the W.Va. Department of Agriculture $1.04 million for surveillance testing, new equipment, and researching contaminants in human and animal food. The department is one of only nine in the country to receiving this funding for chemistry development, according to Kent Leonhardt, Commissioner of Agriculture. “Department staff continues … Read more
As the remnants of Hurricane Laura batter the southern U.S., the West Virginia Department of Agriculture is warning farmers to be proactive in the face of coming weather. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt says his office expects that high winds and heavy rain could hit the state sometime this weekend. “As our state braces for … Read more
Officials at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture are urging state residents not to plant foreign seeds following reports of unsolicited seeds being received in surrounding states. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said seeds could pose an environmental threat. “Like other states, we have been made aware of reports from people in West Virginia that … Read more
While the kind of hemp that’s grown in West Virginia does not contain the level of the psychoactive substance present in marijuana, it does contain some—sometimes a trace, sometimes more. A West Virginia University professor hopes to help farmers and growers better understand why this may be and how to keep levels low, which will … Read more
The sale or distribution of Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergii DC, will be illegal in West Virginia beginning July 1, 2020, according to the state Department of Agriculture. During the 2018 regular legislative session, Japanese barberry was added to the West Virginia “noxious weeds” list as part of an effort to control the invasive plant. An … Read more
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt is calling for the passage of the “New Markets for State Inspected Meat and Poultry Act” to combat local meat shortages. Passage of such legislation would allow for meats processed in state-inspected facilities to cross state lines, said Leonhardt, who sent a letter recommending its passage to West … Read more
As farmers’ markets in West Virginia open for the season, West Virginia University is providing recommendations to help market managers and vendors safely sell their products. Dee Singh-Knights, an agribusiness economics specialist with the university’s extension service, says precautions must be taken to keep customers and farmers safe. Under the West Virginia governor’s current stay-at-home … Read more
