CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt today applauded the passage House Bill 2633 alternatively named “The West Virginia Farm Bill”. The bill provides several updates to outdated West Virginia code, established a new Agriculture Investment Fund, reorganizes the Livestock Cares Standards Board and reduces regulations on farmers’ markets. The first West Virginia Farm Bill now awaits Governor Jim …
State Farm Museum to reopen April 1, Volunteers Needed
Point Pleasant, W.Va. – The West Virginia State Farm Museum will open for the 2021 season on Thursday, April 1. The Museum, supported by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, showcases numerous relocated historical buildings, as well as a wide variety of days-gone-by farm implements and antique tractors. Regular hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. …
USDA Entitlement Requirements Waived to Increase Summer Feeding Programs
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The United States Department of Agriculture has allowed Average Daily Participation (ADP) entitlements to be waived to help reduce inventory at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) Food Distribution Warehouse. As a result, Child Nutrition (CN) Waivers administered by the WVDA and West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) will be offered to a larger audience of …
Commissioner Leonhardt Releases Statement on National Agriculture Day
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In celebration of National Agriculture Day, Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt released the following statement: “Today we should recognize and say thanks to all that feed the world. This year’s National Agriculture Day is even more special as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of our local food systems. In the early days of the pandemic, the …
WVDA to Host Farm Training May 7
LAKIN, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture will be hosting a Farm Training Day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2021 at the Lakin State Farm. The event is tentatively scheduled to be held outdoors and social distancing will be observed. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. “As the state …
OP-ED: Hard Choices
As a fiscal conservative, I strongly believe government should strive to keep budgets in check, find efficiencies and use taxpayers’ dollars wisely in our efforts to keep tax burdens low. When governments act in good faith, markets can flourish, and the citizenry can be lifted into prosperity. At the same time, as a former business owner and current agency head, …