CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and the WV Grown agriculture branding program are launching the ‘Rooted in the Mountain State Tour’ with a series of free events across the state to celebrate local producers and agribusinesses. The tour kicks off at the Wild Ramp in Huntington on Saturday, June 29th, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., coinciding with the opening day of the Central City Farmers Market located behind The Wild Ramp.

These networking events are designed to raise awareness of local products and availability. The WV Grown branding program includes more than 400 agribusinesses in its membership, covering nearly every sector of agriculture in the state. The event is open to the public with free refreshments and WV Grown merchandise offered to attendees. The first 50 shoppers will receive a unique WV Grown item.

“Working with the Wild Ramp, we have invited our local farmers in the area to attend the event and showcase to consumers all the opportunities to shop local in West Virginia,” said WVDA Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “At the WVDA we are helping existing companies grow and attracting new agribusinesses to invest in West Virginia. We are proud to showcase our producers across the state.”

The Wild Ramp is located at 555 14th Street West, Huntington, WV 25704.

Additional stops on the Tour include:
Hawk Knob Cidery
Thursday, August 1st, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Lewisburg, WV

Orr’s Farm Market
Thursday, September 12th, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Martinsburg, WV

For more information, contact the West Virginia Department of Agriculture at 304-558-2210 or Maggie Blankenship, WVDA Assistant Director for Programs & Events, at mblankenship@wvda.us.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.