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 …
Commissioner Leonhardt Calls on Farmers to Utilize Farm-to-Food Bank Tax Credit
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt is encouraging farmers to consider donating agricultural products under the West Virginia’s Farm-to-Food Bank Tax Credit. Passed in 2017, producers who wish to donate fresh, healthy agricultural products to local food banks can earn a tax credit up to $2,500. The credit can be used against personal income tax or …
WV Agencies Host Statewide Agritourism Roundtable
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) held a statewide virtual agritourism roundtable Tuesday, February 9, 2021 with key government officials and agritourism producers. Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt, Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby and Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch discussed key issues facing the agritourism industry and how to further develop the industry. State Senator Patricia Rucker (R-16) also …
Leonhardt Urges Farmers to Prepare for Possible Winter Storms
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – As potential winter storms head toward the Mountain State, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt are encouraging farmers, as well as pet owners, to take the necessary precautions to protect their animals. “As the state braces for potential freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, farmers, as well as pet owners, need …
WVDA, Department of Commerce, Tourism Office to Hold Agritourism Roundtable
KENOVA, W.Va. – Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt, Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch and Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby will be hosting an agritourism roundtable with producers from across West Virginia on February 9, 6:00 p.m. at Heritage Farms in Kenova. The event is part of the WVDA’s existing Homesteading Series that connects producers with industry experts on a variety of topics. …
The Path Forward
With a new administration in Washington, the end of the pandemic in sight and one of the toughest years in recent memory behind us, the question for national and state leaders is how do we heal? West Virginia has clearly shown we can respond to a crisis by leading the way on COVID-19 vaccination and testing, but we still face …