CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has released the 2020 West Virginia Grown Member Directory. The directory is a list of West Virginia agribusinesses and supporting organizations that are a part of the program. The West Virginia Grown Program is the state’s premier agriculture branding campaign.

“One of our top priorities has been rehauling the West Virginia grown program. We first worked on new branding which included a refreshed logo and then worked to expand the program with additional benefits for our members. The directory has been a project in the works for quite a while and we hope is a resource for anyone that wants to support a West Virginia farmer,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.

Developed in 1986, West Virginia Grown was designed to market West Virginia grown and made products to consumers. By placing the West Virginia Grown logo on a product, producers can assure buyers that product was grown or processed, with quality ingredients, in the Mountain State. The program currently has 191 of members who produce products within 33 different categories.

“Local food will continue to grow in popularity as consumers turn to healthier, fresher options. Branding products as local will be vital to increasing potential market opportunities for any in-state farmer. In addition, we believe this program is an important component to helping grow and diversify our economy, as well as expand our local food systems throughout West Virginia,” Leonhardt said.

The Directory is designed to be used by consumers who wish to purchase local products, as well as partnering organizations and corporate grocers who want to source products made in the Mountain State.

For more information or to join the program, email WVGrown@wvda.us or call 304-558-2210.

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.