CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia State Auditor JB McCuskey has introduced legislation to protect West Virginians and their property from a growing threat. Nationals from the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, and others on the State Department’s Countries of Concern list, will be banned from buying natural resources, farmland, and property, under the Auditor’s new legislation. …
Winter Blues Farmers Market Returns February 25
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Winter Blues is back! The indoor farmers market makes its return on Saturday, February 25. More than 60 vendors from across West Virginia will be on hand to sell products grown and sourced right here in the Mountain State. The event takes place at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center from 1-5 p.m. It is free for …
Commissioner Leonhardt Encourages Farmers to Participate in 2022 Ag Census
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) are encouraging all farmers and farm operations to participate in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed paper questionnaires to producers in December. “We encourage everyone who receives a census to participate. This is …
Commissioner Leonhardt Calls for hard Commitment on Laboratory Funding
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After reviewing Governor Jim Justice’s proposed fiscal year 2024 budget, Commissioner Kent Leonhardt released the following statement: “I’m thrilled to finally see a line-item for laboratories within the budget bill, but I am disappointed that it’s only a soft commitment through the surplus section. With the Legislature looking to push historic policy changes, including record tax breaks, …
Policymakers Must Advocate for Agriculture
As my team heads into its seventh Legislative session, we once again set off to advocate on behalf of agriculture, our farmers and West Virginia’s food supply. Each and every session, we work diligently to remind our lawmakers the value agriculture adds to the West Virginia economy and security of our citizens. Through our efforts, we have found ways to …
WVDA Sponsors Vets and Heroes to Ag Pitch Competition
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) will host its first Veteran and Heroes to Agriculture Pitch Competition in March of 2023. The competition aims to help Veteran and Heroes to Agriculture members by developing business plans and awarding funds for capital investments. The top prize will be $10,000 to build or expand an agribusiness. Applicants can …