It's National Agriculture Week!
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — It's all about Agriculture this week as the country celebrates National Ag Week.
School officials respond to federal cuts on locally grown food programs
According to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, in 2022 agriculture products generated more than $900 million for the state's economy.
While there are a few big producers in the state, like United Dairy and Perdue Chicken, most of the state's more than 22,000 farms are small productions.
Even the average home grower can contribute to the state's agriculture economy.
Keith Richmond, County Executive Director for the Raleigh County, said it's easy.
'If you're raising a garden, you got a little bit extra, take it to the farmer's market, set up alongside of the road and sell it. It's a way that provides a little bit of income, plus it's putting stuff right back into the local economy,' said Richmond.
Farmer's markets in the area are always looking for suppliers, said Richmond, because the demand for homegrown produce and products made from them is very high.
With the spotlight on West Virginia's agricultural heritage featured this week, look to your local farms and reach out in support.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Washington Post
Musk left government. Will Democrats lose their bogeyman?
RICHMOND — Virginia has long been the most prominent national testing ground for political rhetoric in odd-year elections, when few other states hold major contests. And Democrats here have targeted Elon Musk and DOGE nonstop ahead of the November elections, capitalizing on the billionaire's polarizing reputation in fundraising emails, billboards, speeches, and in fliers that deride the 'extreme Musk-Trump agenda.'
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Associated Press
PowerHouse Strengthens Core Leadership Portfolio with Dual Strategic Appointments
MCLEAN, Va., June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PowerHouse Data Centers takes a decisive step in its bold growth plan with the appointments of John Adametz as Senior Vice President, Development & Construction, and Vardahn Chaudhry as Senior Vice President, Asset Management. The two executives bring distinct yet aligned expertise across digital infrastructure investments, operations and development that bolsters PowerHouse's commitment to responsible growth and delivering tailored solutions for hyperscale demands. With a development pipeline spanning more than 24 million square feet and 6.1 GW across six U.S. markets, PowerHouse continues to invest in leadership that can drive both speed to power and construction of data centers for hyperscale users across its portfolio. Adametz and Chaudhry are a part of the PowerHouse team, with combined expertise adding to our industry leading This collaborative leadership structure reflects a deliberate strategy that supports PowerHouse's model of delivering shovel-ready campuses that are engineered for hyperscale growth and sustained operational value. 'John and Vardahn bring a deep understanding of what it takes to not just build, but operate world-class data center campuses at scale,' said Doug Fleit, Co-founder and CEO of PowerHouse Data Centers. 'They know how to manage complexity, execute with discipline and most importantly—deliver value to our clients. This kind of experience matters when you're in an industry as fast pace and demanding as build-to-suite hyperscale data centers.' A Leadership Model Built for Scale and Stability Adametz brings more than 30 years of global, hands-on experience leading complex infrastructure projects with speed and precision. At Meta, he demonstrated his expertise in managing large-scale developments by leading partner strategy for leased capacity and design execution on multi-gigawatt campuses. Additionally, Adametz's 32-year tenure in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, where he led $8 billion annually in critical infrastructure planning, design, construction, and operations, highlights his ability to deliver high-impact projects in complex environments. At PowerHouse, Adametz will lead the daily development and construction operations. By focusing on scalable, resilient project delivery for Richmond-based projects as well as PowerHouse's broader portfolio, he will enhance the company's ability to meet the demands of hyperscale clients while ensuring long-term operational performance. Chaudhry's strong background in digital infrastructure investment and asset strategy positions PowerHouse to adapt and grow in a dynamic market. As Vice President of Investments at JBG SMITH, he managed an $85 million digital infrastructure and venture capital investment portfolio, including the establishment of a first-of-its-kind last-mile platform of fiber, data centers, small cell and spectrum assets—demonstrating his ability to develop new and flexible transaction structures, while executing strategic builds and acquisitions to drive long-term value. With earlier consulting experience at Accenture, he applies a data-driven, operational, and technical lens to meeting the evolving needs of hyperscalers. Chaudhry brings a unique perspective to PowerHouse, where he manages the entire lifecycle of the company's data center assets, from acquisition to implementation, working closely with partners and customers to deliver consistent, high-performing results. His strategic approach ensures PowerHouse not only meets current client needs but also stays ahead of emerging trends in cloud and AI infrastructure. A National Platform Backed by Expertise Together, Adametz and Chaudhry are key drivers of PowerHouse's commitment to building client-focused, sustainable and value-driven infrastructure solutions. Their combined skillset is instrumental to the company's innovation and competitive strategy. Both leaders will coordinate across regions and departments to ensure seamless execution and performance. Their partnership reflects PowerHouse's broader strategy: pair development precision with long-term asset value to deliver the kind of capacity hyperscalers rely on. Backed by AREP's oversubscribed $309 million Fund IV, PowerHouse is actively advancing large-scale, power-first campuses in Virginia, Kentucky and beyond—designed specifically for the AI and cloud workloads shaping tomorrow's infrastructure. About PowerHouse Data Centers PowerHouse Data Centers, fully owned and operated by American Real Estate Partners (AREP), is a pioneering developer and owner of next-generation data centers, providing sophisticated real estate solutions for hyperscalers that meet their market, data, utility, and space demands. Founded in 2021 with a primary focus on Northern Virginia, the world's largest data center market, PowerHouse has strategically expanded into key markets across the United States. Today, PowerHouse is an established leader in world-class data center development with 86 data centers underway or in planning, representing more than 24 million square feet and 6.1 GW in six major markets. PowerHouse owns its land sites, offering flexible next-generation data center models, with unparalleled speed-to-market. As disruptors setting new industry standards, PowerHouse leverages proven leadership, technical expertise, and strategic partnerships to drive innovation. Drawing from valuable real estate and industry relationships, PowerHouse adeptly identifies and transforms land sites, delivering state-of-the-art BTS, powered shell, and full turnkey deployments at scale. PowerHouse's full suite of development services integrates asset strategy, fast-track approvals, infrastructure, on-site power procurement, and sustainable building practices into every project. Visit our newsroom for more information, and follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, and X. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PowerHouse Data Centers
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Associated Press
Following Successful Merger With Roanoke-Based Member One, Virginia Credit Union To Unify Brand, Operations in 2026
RICHMOND, Virginia, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following a successful merger in August 2024, Virginia Credit Union and its Member One division are pleased to announce that the now-combined organization will operate in all markets as Virginia Credit Union, beginning in the spring of 2026. 'The Virginia Credit Union brand has almost a century of history behind it and boasts a proven track record as a member-focused organization, one that's driven by its mission and focused on delivering value for members through its products, services, and resources,' said Virginia Credit Union President/CEO Chris Shockley. 'We know this merger will continue to benefit our members, staff, and the communities we proudly serve, and we look forward to further building on our proud tradition of member and community service under the Virginia Credit Union name.' The brand decision follows an extensive brand research project and a careful evaluation of both brands' strengths and awareness in current markets. Several factors were considered in selecting Virginia Credit Union as the continuing brand. The credit union will work through 2025 and into 2026 in preparation for Operational Day One, the date legacy Member One operations will be fully integrated into Virginia Credit Union — operating under the same brand and with the same systems, products, and services. Operational Day One will likely occur in the spring of 2026, and the credit union is committed to ensuring a carefully considered and member-centric approach to the integration project. Legacy Member One members will continue to bank as they have for the foreseeable future, utilizing Member One's online and mobile banking platforms, lending services, call centers, and branch locations. Through timely communications, members will be informed of integration milestones and member service updates as the credit union moves through the integration process. 'The most appealing aspect of this merger was the fact that our two organizations shared a belief that what we do and what we offer has a meaningful and positive impact on members and our communities,' said Shockley. 'We put people first and believe the relationships we build with members and within our communities are helping members achieve greater financial success and building stronger, more resilient communities. Combining these two well-respected and trusted organizations under one unified brand will only bolster our ability to fulfill our mission.' Member One members can learn more about the planned rebrand to Virginia Credit Union here. About Virginia Credit Union & Member One A financial cooperative serving almost 500,000 members, Virginia Credit Union and its Member One division offer a variety of affordable banking services, loans, mortgages, and free financial education resources, with a focus on helping people be more confident with their finances. Virginia Credit Union and its Member One division are equal housing opportunity lenders and are federally insured by the NCUA. Attachment Lewis Wood Virginia Credit Union 804-560-5664 [email protected]
