CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Agriculture and conservation agencies will take center stage at the State Capitol on Thursday, February 20, as the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and the West Virginia Conservation Agency (WVCA) join forces to showcase their work and impact on the Mountain State. Ag and Conservation Day at the Capitol offers a valuable opportunity for lawmakers and …
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Each year, FFA Chapters nationwide celebrate National FFA Week, a time to recognize the impact of FFA on students and highlight the importance of agricultural education. This year, National FFA Week runs from February 15-22, 2025. West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt and WVDA staff will visit five FFA chapters across the state to learn about …
Facing what our new Governor describes as a “massive deficit” in our state budget, I can’t help but notice that Medicaid and PEIA are among the primary causes. This raises an important question. What could we have done over the past few decades to reduce these expenses? The answer is simple – promote healthier outcomes through better diet and nutrition. …
Charleston – The Winter Blues Farmers Market returns for its 16th year on March 1 to the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center from noon to 5 p.m. The Market wraps up the annual West Virginia Small Farm Conference (Feb. 26 – March 1), sponsored by WVU Extension and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA). More than 120 agribusinesses from …
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has achieved a major legal victory for farmers and beekeepers across the state. In November 2024, the WVDA intervened in the Kanawha County Circuit Court case Alex Urban v. City of South Charleston to defend the rights of West Virginians to engage in agricultural practices, including beekeeping. This effort was …
Don’t miss this crucial opportunity for drought recovery assistance. CHARLESTON, W.Va. – To combat the severe drought affecting West Virginia in 2024, the state legislature has allocated $10 million in surplus funds to create the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s (WVDA) Drought Recovery Program. Those eligible are livestock farmers, who are already enrolled in the USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) Livestock …