Op Ed: West Virginia Working to Reverse Veterinarian Shortage

During the pandemic, folks hunkered down and avoided social settings to stop the spread of the covid virus. As they avoided their friends and families, they sought out other types of companionship, household pets. Over the last two years, pet ownership rose as much as 70%, increasing the need for veterinarians of all types. This has created a workforce crisis …

WVDA Awards over $400,000 in Farmer & Ranchers Stress Assistance Grants

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has awarded three projects a share of $401,834 in 2021 West Virginia Farmers and Ranchers Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grants. The purpose of the FRSAN program is to establish a network that connects individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching and other agriculturally related occupations to stress assistance programs. Projects …

Shepherd University and Patriot Guardens Receive $12,000 in Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Grant Funding

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has awarded Shepherd University and Patriot Guardens each a $12,000 grant for their projects to support Veterans and Heroes in Agriculture. The grants are being issued under the WVDA Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Program. Grant recipients have one year to plan, implement and gather data on their respective projects. …

Agricultural Leaders Head to the Mountain State for SASDA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Commissioners, Directors and Secretaries of Agriculture from 16 southern states and territories will gather in West Virginia next month to hold their annual meeting and tour some of the State’s agriculture industries. This will be the first time in 15 years that the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA) has held their meeting in the …

Op Ed: WVDA Essential to WV Tourism

From the declaration of the New River Gorge National Park to renovating the state parks in West Virginia, over the last five years our tourism industry has received a tremendous amount of attention and support. That support has brought dividends as we have seen tourism revenue increase by upwards of 50 percent, generating $4.5 billion for the state’s economy. Given …