The Emotional Case for Eating Healthy

As the days get colder and shorter, many Americans will experience what we call “seasonal depression.” Lack of vitamin C, personal interactions and social events are the root for many that experience this illness. It can cause folks to lose interest in activities, feel tired or even gain weight from overeating. Add the anxiety many of our citizens have felt …

WV Hemp Farmers to Operate Under 2014 Farm Bill Another Year

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia will continue to operate under the 2014 Farm Bill for the 2021 Hemp Growing Season. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the period States could continue to operate under current regulations as federal guidelines are finalized. That means hemp farmers in the Mountain State will see no changes to the current regulations for …

WVDA Releases 2020 WV Grown Directory

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has released the 2020 West Virginia Grown Member Directory. The directory is a list of West Virginia agribusinesses and supporting organizations that are a part of the program. The West Virginia Grown Program is the state’s premier agriculture branding campaign. “One of our top priorities has been rehauling the West …

Homestead Creamery Issues Voluntary Glass Bottled Product Recall

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Virginia based creamery, Homestead Creamery of Wirtz, VA, is voluntarily recalling glass bottled products due to a suspected issue with the bottle sanitizing process. Products affected may have a strong sanitizer odor, but there is no known health risk at this time. Recalled products were distributed to Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, …

WVDA Adds Three New Livestock Graders

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is pleased to announce three employees have become certified livestock graders. Heather Clower, Andy Boone and Zackery Schumaker spent the past six months working alongside other WVDA graders, learning the ins and outs of the grading system. On October 20th, they passed the live animal evaluation and written Market Reporter’s …

WV Receives $248,433 in Specialty Crop Block Grants

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -Six West Virginia projects will share in $248,433.07 of federal funding under the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) in 2020. These projects were chosen from the 19 West Virginia organizations, agencies and institutions who requested a total of $1,064,174.54 for this fiscal year. Recipients must use the federal funding to enhance …