“As the USDA continues to finetune federal regulations, we felt it was important not to rush into new rules and regulations. With uncertainty on several key issues, we do not want to put our farmers at a competitive disadvantage,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.

Currently, 21 states will continue to operate under the 2014 Farm Bill with three states opting for federal oversight by the USDA. Neighboring Virginia and Kentucky will continuing to operate under the 2014 Farm Bill while Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania have approved plans that meet the requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill. West Virginia’s state plan had been approved by the USDA to take affect October 31 of this year, but the WVDA asked to delay the implementation until September 30, 2021.

“The Department sent the USDA comments from staff and producers regarding their current rules. We hope they take these into consideration and make the necessary adjustments to help our farmers before we move forward,” said Leonhardt. “For our farmers to be successful, we need clear, concise regulations enforced equally across the country.”

The following comments were sent to the USDA regarding federal regulations: https://agriculture.wv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/WVDA-Comments-USDA-IFR-1082020.pdf

For more information or questions, contact John Moredock at 304-558-2212 or jmoredock@wvda.us.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.

Since its creation in 2017, ABC has helped hundreds of people in distressed counties learn how to raise bees, harvest honey and sell their products in an environmentally responsible way. Terri J. Giles, a former U.S. Senate aide and foundation executive who returned home to West Virginia for this venture, has been involved from the ground up and seen the multiple benefits of this social economic initiative.

The ABCHoney.org website features a selection of natural honey in addition to products from partners Benko Glass, J.D. Dickinson Salt, Walter Hyleck pottery, and Rishi teas.

“When you shop with us, you support beekeepers, bees and environmental programs that help restore ecosystems in Central Appalachia,” said Giles. “Each hive we support can generate 40-60 pounds of honey for sale each year. All proceeds are invested back into the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective to expand our geographic reach, assisting more people, communities and the environment.”

Giles indicated that Central Appalachia is an ideal location for natural beekeeping and honey produced from this region is distinct from other brands. “The abundance of diverse forest and undeveloped land in our region helps keep our bees healthy,” she said. “Our native Appalachian forests host an abundance of nectar-rich species such as tulip poplar, black locust, sourwood, and wildflowers. Most agricultural land is devoted to livestock, meaning that much of the area is covered is excellent bee forage, like clover. We have minimal agricultural crops to contribute to the range of synthetic chemicals other bees often endure.”

“What started out as an initiative to reclaim abandoned coal mine lands, restore native plants and protect pollinators has also grown into a thriving jobs program in West Virginia and Virginia that is producing natural honey that is free from pesticides and pollution,” said Giles, a native of nearby Hinton where the honey processing and a STEM education camp for youth is based.

“Department staff continue to find ways to support our agricultural industries, as well as enhance the WVDA’s overall mission. This grant will bring much needed services to West Virginia,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “Our laboratory staff continue to show they are one of the best in the country.”

The monies will fund nine lab projects, which include: collecting and testing samples of baby food for lead and arsenic, collecting and testing animal food and canned pet food for Salmonella and testing samples of dry cereal for filth and decomposition. The grant will also pay for the purchase of two, large pieces of specialized equipment: a whole genome sequencing instrument and MagPix equipment for allergen testing.

“The LFFM grant is of particular importance to the READ laboratories by offering funding for new equipment and support for two new programs to the state of West Virginia, WGS for foodborne isolates and food allergen testing. We are also thrilled to enhance our surveillance programs for human and animal foods and provide a safer food supply to our citizens,” said WVDA Regulatory Division Director Amie Minor. The WVDA Regulatory Division will be eligible for millions more in LFFM grants subject to availability and satisfactory progress of the current projects.

For more information on the grant, contact WVDA Regulatory Division Director Amie Minor at aminor@wvda.us or 304-558-2227.

In 2019, 12 farms had crop production, including nursery and greenhouse, 15 had livestock and poultry, and 7 had livestock and poultry products. Some of the produce and livestock West Virginia organic farms sold included blueberries, blackberries, squash, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, maple syrup, all hay, soybeans, corn for silage, cows, sheep, and broilers.

Some other interesting facts include the following: 10 farms used animal manures, 9 farms planted green manures, 5 farms maintained beneficial insect/vertebrate habitats, 8 farms produced or used organic mulch/compost, 5 farms had direct consumer sales, 8 farms sold through retail markets, institutions, or food hubs, and 7 farms reported market access as a major production challenge.

Data are from the 2019 Certified Organic Survey that is part of the 2017 Census of Agriculture program. Survey data were published from producers that were certified organic and transitioning to organic certification. Detailed organic survey data are available on the NASS website, for more information go to: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/Organics/index.php.

“The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is warning the public to be on the lookout for these products. If you suspect you have purchased tainted goods, we encourage consumers to return those products to the retail store they purchased it from or discard the product,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.

The best by date of the bottle is located on the side of the bottle cap. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product smelled like cleaning agent.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 540-721-2045 or the West Virginia Department of Agriculture at 304-558-2227.

Affected products include:

A2A2 2% half gallon; Creamline Whole Milk half gallon; Homogenized Whole Milk half gallon; Homogenized Whole Milk quart; 2% Half gallon; 2% Milk quart; Non-Fat Creamline Milk half gallon; Non-Fat Creamline Milk quart; Chocolate Milk half gallon; Chocolate Milk quart; Orange Cream Milk quart; Orange Cream Milk quart; Cowpuccino Milk quart; Heavy Cream quart; Half and Half quart; Buttermilk quart; Lemonade half gallon; Eggnog quart returnable bottle; Old Fashioned Custard returnable quart bottle; Eggnog half gallon returnable bottle; Eggnog quart returnable bottle; and Old Fashioned Custard nonreturnable bottle.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.

The agency has identified 20 species of so-called hungry pests that damage trees and plants and are easily spread by humans, according to Samantha Simon, executive director of emergency and domestic programs with the USDA .

Simon says folks in Maryland and West Virginia need to look out for the emerald ash borer beetle, the European gypsy moth and the spotted lanternfly.

“The spotted lanternfly is a hitchhiker, a fantastic hitchhiker, and it can be spread long distances by people, whether it’s on people themselves, moving in your vehicles or if it’s through items that may contain the egg masses, which they’ve laid,” she points out.

Simon advises checking any outdoor furniture for evidence of pests, and inspecting trees for unusual foliage or if you notice that their leaves aren’t thriving. If you suspect something’s wrong, visit the USDA’s Hungry Pests website for more information.

The United Nations has declared 2020 the International Year of Plant Health to raise awareness about the devastating impact that invasive pests have on the world’s environment, food security and economy.

Simon stresses it’s an unprecedented global effort.

“Each year, the U.N. estimates that we have about a 40% loss in our food crops due to invasive pets,” she states. “And so, we want to highlight the issue, and we want to make sure that people understand that they play an important role in preventing the spread of invasive pests.”

Simon points out that destructive insects and plant diseases cost the U.S. an estimated $40 billion each year in damages to trees, crops and other plants.