Agriculture
West Virginia confirms new avian influenza in backyard flock in Jackson County
RIPLEY, W.Va. — State officials have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard flock in Jackson County. However, it’s only the third detection in domestic birds in West Virginia since the global outbreak began in early 2022. The...
The histories of the Grimes Golden and Golden Delicious apples in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va.— Around 1790, in a small clearing on a ridge above Wellsburg, West Virginia, a...
Invasive Box Tree Moth has reached West Virginia’s eastern panhandle
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The W.Va. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of the Box Tree...
WVU helping farmers nationally boost profits through agritourism
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — To help farmers and ranchers incorporate agritourism into their business...
West Virginia’s northern panhandle was once prime U.S. sheep country
WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia may best be known for its vast mountain forests, but its northern panhandle was once a grassland clipped low by sheep. Part of the vast Ohio market area, which includes much of Ohio and western Pennsylvania, the four northern panhandle...
West Virginia University professor unveils new “people’s tomato”
A West Virginia University plant pathology professor emeritus who has spent more than 70 years developing hearty tomato varieties for home gardeners has created his fourth and final tomato — the West Virginia 2023, dubbed “Mannon’s Majesty.” “With so many tomato...
Rich West Virginia honey benefitting consumers, producers
West Virginia is a prominent producer of Appalachian honey, churning out almost 245,000 pounds annually from 13,300 registered bee colonies. It ranks 40th in the nation among producers, though the honey it produces is renowned for its richness. Most of the state’s...
W.Va. expands branding to include agricultural supporters
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With supply-chain faults apparent nationally, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture is working to bolster agricultural products by expanding the “West Virginia Grown” branding program. According to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt,...