Agriculture

West Virginia’s abundant land holds promise for agricultural prosperity for the state and its people, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. To ensure this valuable industry thrives for years to come, agribusiness owners, retailers and other stakeholders are being asked to give their input.The West Virginia Agriculture Advisory Board announced the first step in developing … Read more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of the Longhorned tick in Hardy County in eastern West Virginia, according to the W.Va. Department of Agriculture.Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks were collected from cattle on two farms in Hardy County near the Virginia border, according to W.Va. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.“We now have confirmation this … Read more

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has announced a public voting period to determine the next West Virginia Grown logo, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.From February 19 until April 23, the public will have the opportunity to vote on three options being considered as the next logo for the program, Leonhardt said.Public comments … Read more

The West Virginia Maple Syrup Producers Association has announced two statewide “Maple Syrup Days” to celebrate during the 2018 maple season, according to the W.Va. Department of Agriculture.On Saturday, February 24, and Saturday, March 17, sixteen sugar shacks and maple operations around the Mountain State will open their doors to the public and retail locations … Read more

Just when it seems winter will never end, the W.Va. Department of Agriculture is hosting two farmers’ markets to support growers and marketers whose livelihoods are being sustained by innovations in agriculture.The use of high tunnels and other advances is allowing West Virginia farmers to extend growing seasons and provide products year-round, which is why … Read more

Four new produce records were established in 2017 in West Virginia, the state Department of Agriculture announced today. A carrot, cucumber, cantaloupe, and pumpkin raised the bar for farmers statewide, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.“We’re the only state in the region that has this type of program. We see it as a fun … Read more

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 small farms … 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 Kent … 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 growing … Read more