CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In celebration of National Agriculture Day, Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt released the following statement: “Today we should recognize and say thanks to all that feed the world. This year’s National Agriculture Day is even more special as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of our local food systems. In the early days of the pandemic, the …
WVDA to Host Farm Training May 7
LAKIN, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture will be hosting a Farm Training Day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2021 at the Lakin State Farm. The event is tentatively scheduled to be held outdoors and social distancing will be observed. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. “As the state …
OP-ED: Hard Choices
As a fiscal conservative, I strongly believe government should strive to keep budgets in check, find efficiencies and use taxpayers’ dollars wisely in our efforts to keep tax burdens low. When governments act in good faith, markets can flourish, and the citizenry can be lifted into prosperity. At the same time, as a former business owner and current agency head, …
West Virginia Constitutional Officers Support Proposed Term Limits Amendment
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s statewide constitutional officers today joined legislators to announce their collective support for a proposed constitutional amendment to establish term limits for their offices. Senate Joint Resolution 11, introduced this week, would propose amending the state Constitution to limit any person from serving in the office of Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture, or …
WVDA Encourages Farmers to Apply for PPP Loans
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt are hoping West Virginia Farmers affected by COVID-19 will apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. On Wednesday, February 24, President Joe Biden ordered the Small Business Administration to establish a 14-day, exclusive PPP Loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than …
The Case for an Agriculture Business Development Fund
Within the first days of the Biden Administration, Vice-President Kamala Harris held a roundtable discussion with West Virginia media outlets on the administration’s plans for rural states. Part of this maneuver was to put pressure on lone West Virginia Democrat, Senator Joe Manchin, to support President Biden’s stimulus package. The new administration is also hopeful to make in-roads with a …