CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On Friday, July 29, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) received multiple reports from the Jackson County Fair of swine exhibiting respiratory symptoms and fever. Samples were collected the same day and submitted to Moorefield Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, a WVDA animal testing lab. The …
WVDA to Celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is celebrating the tremendous growth in farmers’ markets across the Mountain State during National Farmers’ Market Week, August 7-13. Over the last four years, the number of farmers’ markets in West Virginia has nearly tripled. In 2019, there were 93 registered farmers’ markets across the State. Today, that number has …
WVDA Announces Return of Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) announced Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) vouchers will be available starting Tuesday, August 2. Vouchers are delivered to county senior citizens centers where they are distributed to eligible seniors. To qualify for the vouchers, you must be over the age of 60 and meet certain financial requirements. “The …
Agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay is a Success: Not a Goal Post
In the 1980s, I spent most of my time as a young Marine stationed in Maryland. Whenever I was afforded leave, crabbing and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay was a top priority. Sharing stories, buying oysters for $10 a bushel and attempting to catch a quick bite to eat was quintessential relaxation. Even the famous rock fish was coming back …
WVDA Urging Landowners to Sign-up for the 2023 Lymantria Dispar Suppression Program
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is urging landowners to sign-up for the Cooperative State-County-Landowner (CSCL) Lymantria dispar, formerly Gypsy Moth, Suppression Program. The program is focused on protecting landowners’ forested acreage from devastating effects caused by the invasive Lymantria dispar. The sign-up period runs from July 1 until August 31, 2022. “West Virginia’s forests are …
Op Ed: Investments in Local Food Vital to Fending off Food Shortages
After serving twenty years as Marine Corps Intelligence Officer and five years as the Commissioner of Agriculture, it’s easy to identify trends that have the potential to affect the security of the United States. One trend not being discussed enough is the current levels of stress on our food system. Despite our effort to instill resiliency through local agriculture, our …