Agriculture

The West Virginia Agriculture Advisory Board has released a five year-strategic plan for West Virginia agriculture, which Commissioner of Agricultural Ken Leonhardt says he hopes to initiate immediately. Titled “A Shared Agenda for Growing West Virginia’s Agricultural Economy,” the plan focuses on several areas—connecting producers to market opportunities, creating infrastructure needed to grow the agriculture … Read more

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture today announced the availability of education and training scholarships for veterans to attend the 2019 Appalachian Grazing Conference March 7–9 at the Marriott Hotel at Waterfront Place in Morgantown. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt said the department hopes to inspire many veterans to farm. “It is our mission at … Read more

Confronted with a potential hay shortage, three state agencies are advising cattle farmers in West Virginia how to maintain healthy herds. The looming shortage is most likely due to an unusually wet 2018 season, during which increased rainfall ruined and reduced hay crops. The W.Va. Department of Agriculture, the state Farm Service Agency, and the … Read more

Eight West Virginia projects will share in $271,980 in federal funding to enhance the production, processing, and consumption of specialty crops, according to the W.Va. Department of Agriculture. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree-nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture, according to state Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. W.Va. Dept. of … Read more

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 … 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 … 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. … 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 … 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 … 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 … Read more