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.
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
The Early White Half-Runner Bean, beloved across the northern U.S., originated in West Virginia among the hill farms of southern Calhoun County. Though it may have been brought to the mountains from Germany generations before, it was first identified here. Tom Hardman, chairman of Alberts Chapel at Sand Ridge, WV.[/caption] “For years, according to my … Read more
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has received certification of approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the plan submitted regarding the regulation of industrial hemp. Approval for the plan means producers will continue to be regulated at the state level in lieu of federal oversight, according to W.Va. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. … Read more
Following the closure of all non-essential businesses in West Virginia, the state’s two food banks have ramped up efforts to feed the vulnerable, according to the state Department of Agriculture. While precautionary measures have been taken, both food banks continue operations to serve the needs of those facing hunger in all West Virginia counties, Commissioner … Read more
Farming in West Virginia is not what it was, and Sam Tuckwiller knows it for a fact. For more than six generations, Tuckwillers have been farming the Greenbrier Valley, and Sam, who raises Angus cattle with sons Ben and Byron, was born just before World War II— before the world changed—and he remembers a time … Read more
Officials at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture are working with producers and farmers impacted by COVID-19 mitigation efforts by facilitating communication between producers and potential buyers. The department’s business development and marketing staff have received calls from multiple producers are who experiencing a surplus of food or other burdens due to the pandemic, according … Read more
More than 2,300 West Virginians have signed up so far for “Grow This: WV Garden Challenge,” an annual program by the West Virginia University Extension Service’s Family Nutrition Program that encourages home gardening. Launched in 2018, the program usually has a few hundred participants each year but has seen a surge in interest after the … Read more
