CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The sale or distribution of Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergii DC, will be illegal in West Virginia starting July 1, 2020. During the 2018 regular legislative session, Japanese barberry was added to the West Virginia “noxious weeds” list as part of an effort to control the invasive plant. An amendment allowed a phase-in period for existing stock to …
WVDA Mandates Imported Commercial Swine Enter Processing Channels Upon Entry
Charleston W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is mandating all imported commercial swine arriving in West Virginia related to COVID-19 be processed upon entry into the state. Currently, the WVDA is waiving Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for imported swine if they are immediately processed and do no re-enter commerce. “When fellow citizens need our help, West …
WV Commissioner of Ag Calls For Passage of New Markets for State Inspected Meat and Poultry Act
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt is calling for the passage of the New Markets for State Inspected Meat and Poultry Act to combat local meat shortages. Passage of such legislation would allow for meats processed in state inspected facilities to cross state lines. Commissioner Leonhardt sent a letter to West Virginia’s congressional delegation, as well …
Veteran Education Series Wraps Up with Virtual Networking Series
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The first track of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Veteran Education Training Series (V.E.T.S.) wrapped up last Thursday. The courses focused on agricultural business and entrepreneurship. The WVDA launched the series during the West Virginia Small Farm Conference in February. “We are proud of everyone that made our first series a great success. From the instructors …
The WVDA Makes Substantial Improvements to Commodity Distribution Center
RIPLEY, W.Va. – Since 2017, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has made significant improvements to the WVDA Commodity Distribution Center located in Ripley, WV. The center is responsible for distribution of food provided by USDA programs to West Virginia schools and food banks serving all 55 counties in the state. In total, $1.4 million worth of improvements, mostly …
USDA Approves West Virginia’s Industrial Hemp Plan
Charleston W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has received certification of approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the plan submitted regarding the regulation of industrial hemp. Approval for the plan means producers will continue to be regulated at the state level in lieu of federal oversight. States had to submit and gain approval …