W.Va. advisory board hosting meetings about ag economy

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The West Virginia Agricultural Advisory Board developed a five-year strategic plan to guide the growth of the agricultural economy in the state. The process represents the first time in recent history that all state agencies involved with agriculture have come together to create a shared plan.

The agencies include W.Va. Department of Agriculture; W.Va. Farm Bureau; U.S. Department of Agriculture's W.Va. Natural Resources Conservation Service; W.Va. Conservation Agency; West Virginia University Extension Service; WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design; and West Virginia State University Extension Service.

Based on a survey of more than 500 producers and agricultural stakeholders, the board has focused on eight broad opportunities to grow the agriculture economy. The next step is to host community meetings across all 14 conservation districts in the state. Attendees can help transform the broad opportunities into real strategies for change.

Those involved in agriculture are asked to share what meeting works best for them by going to www.eventbrite.com/o/west-virginia-agriculture-advisory-board-17805387312 to register. All meetings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. and registration is required.

One of the gatherings is Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Berkeley County Youth Fairgrounds, 2419 Golf Course Road in Martinsburg.

In the event details, indicate three opportunity areas in which you are interested. At each meeting, the board will facilitate conversations around the three most popular, based on all respondents for that get-together.

For more information, go to www.wvagadvisory.org.