CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has confirmed a third county, Jefferson, that now hosts the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). Jefferson County was added to the list, which includes Berkeley and Mineral, after United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) collaborators spotted a small population on May 27 near Kearneysville, WV. The WVDA and USDA-APHIS confirmed …
West Virginia to Host 2022 SASDA Annual Meeting
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt announced West Virginia will be hosting the 2022 Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA) annual meeting in June of next year. Commissioner Leonhardt chose the Mountain State after being elected President of the organization during the 2021 meeting in Arkansas. The theme for the 2022 meeting will be “Rooted in …
Op Ed: Local Agriculture Vital to West Virginia’s Economic Future
As the national food system came to a screeching halt in the early days of the pandemic, the demand for food increased, providing a unique opportunity for local agriculture. This opportunity was only possible due to the hoarding of supplies, the closure of restaurants and outbreaks in large scale processing causing an inability to garner normal goods from large chain …
Two Additional State Farm Museum Antique Gas Engine Show set for June and July
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. – The West Virginia State Farm Museum will host two Antique Gas Engine Shows on Saturday, June 5 at 1 p.m. and Saturday, July 3 at 5 p.m. The events will feature an antique and farm tractor pulls. The Country Kitchen and Country Store will be open both days. “These are great events to start your summer …
Commissioner Leonhardt calls on WV to Celebrate Dairy Month
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) are calling on residents of the Mountain State to support local dairies and connected industries during National Dairy Month. Originally established in 1937, National Dairy Month is held annually in June to highlight the impact of the dairy industry in the United States. West …
WVDA Offering Virtual Better Process Control School
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) will be hosting a virtual Acidified Only Better Process Control School (BPCS) June 15-16. BPCS is a course that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as well as the United States Department of Agriculture for processors of acidified and low acid canned foods. There is no cost for the school, however, space is limited …