CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has awarded the West Virginia Gold Star Mothers a $24,000 grant for Living Memorials projects. Living Memorials are places for Gold Star Families to gather and remember loved ones lost in the line of duty. The grant was issued under the WVDA Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Program.

Under the agreement, the Gold Star Mothers will plant legacy orchards to be harvested for local community members. The WVDA will conduct pruning and grafting workshops, as well as orchard management training in collaboration with the Gold Star Mothers.

“The Gold Star Mothers have continued to honor those who served their country with these memorials. We are happy to partner on these projects which remembers our veterans’ legacy through agriculture,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “We also look forward to seeing the impact these orchards have on their local communities.”

The Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Grant Program was developed to provide funding to organizations around the state who work directly with or provide support to law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency medical service, first responders, veterans, active-duty military, and/or their spouses and family within an agricultural capacity.

For more information, contact Crescent Gallagher cgallagher@wvda.us 304-558-3708.

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.