Agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay is a Success: Not a Goal Post

In the 1980s, I spent most of my time as a young Marine stationed in Maryland. Whenever I was afforded leave, crabbing and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay was a top priority. Sharing stories, buying oysters for $10 a bushel and attempting to catch a quick bite to eat was quintessential relaxation. Even the famous rock fish was coming back …

WVDA 2021 State Fair Guide

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The State Fair of West Virginia is set to begin Thursday, August 12 and will run until Saturday, August 21 in Fairlea, WV. This year, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) will be hosting the West Virginia Grown Country Store at the Gus R. Douglas Agriculture Annex Building. The store will be open daily from 9:00 …

West Virginia Must Support the State Fair

Last June, West Virginia and the nation were facing a growing pandemic which threatened to bring our daily lives to a screeching halt. In light of public safety, many event organizers decided to cancel their gatherings including the hundreds of fairs and festivals hosted around the state. Despite getting approval from the Governor, the State Fair and its board followed …

Commissioner Leonhardt Encourages Citizens to Support Local Farmers During Farmers’ Market Week

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt released the following statement leading up National Farmers’ Market Week, August 1-7: “Local farmers’ markets and the producers who support them are vital to our state’s economy, as well as food security. When we saw bottle necks in the national food system, it was West Virginia farmers who stepped up …

WVDA Announces Return of Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is pleased to announce the return of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). SMFNP was delayed earlier this year due to a lack of a banking contract. With the contract now in place, vouchers will be delivered to participating partners and be available to senior citizens starting August 1. …

WVDA Announces Regional Farm to School Summit

RIPLEY, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA), in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Education and the Farm to School Alliance, will host a regional Farm to School Summit May 18 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley. This meeting will be the first of several held with the goal of bringing together producers, agricultural & …