CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) announced they will honor the intent of the Legislature 5% across-the-board pay increase for all state employees. The Budget, passed by the Legislature, included additional general revenue dollars to cover the pay raise but only for employees paid out of general revenue funds. The …
2022 West Virginia Maple Syrup Production Numbers Released
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has released the 2022 maple syrup production numbers for the State. Production totaled 13,000 gallons in 2022, unchanged from the previous year. The number of taps, 77,000, and yield per tap, 0.169 gallons, were unchanged as well. On average, the maple syrup season opened on February 6 and closed on …
2022 Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
JACKSON’S MILL, W.Va. – The West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame (WVAFHF) will honor the 2022 inductees with a banquet on Saturday, July 23 at Jackson’s Mill. The 2022 banquet and reception will start at 5:00 p.m. with a dinner to follow at 6:00 p.m. “As we continue to see supply chain issues ravage our economy, its vital …
Op Ed: West Virginia Working to Reverse Veterinarian Shortage
During the pandemic, folks hunkered down and avoided social settings to stop the spread of the covid virus. As they avoided their friends and families, they sought out other types of companionship, household pets. Over the last two years, pet ownership rose as much as 70%, increasing the need for veterinarians of all types. This has created a workforce crisis …
WVDA Awards over $400,000 in Farmer & Ranchers Stress Assistance Grants
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has awarded three projects a share of $401,834 in 2021 West Virginia Farmers and Ranchers Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grants. The purpose of the FRSAN program is to establish a network that connects individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching and other agriculturally related occupations to stress assistance programs. Projects …
Shepherd University and Patriot Guardens Receive $12,000 in Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Grant Funding
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has awarded Shepherd University and Patriot Guardens each a $12,000 grant for their projects to support Veterans and Heroes in Agriculture. The grants are being issued under the WVDA Veterans and Heroes to Agriculture Program. Grant recipients have one year to plan, implement and gather data on their respective projects. …