Charleston, WV – To meet the demand of a growing industry, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) along with WVDA Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture program and the West Virginia Maple Syrup Producers Association (WVMSPA) are teaming up to offer an introductory maple seminar for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Last year, West Virginia’s maple industry saw a 33% increase in production as a growing number of businesses are now producing their own brands and selling syrup across the country.
“West Virginia’s maple syrup industry is booming. We’ve gone from just a few producers to dozens in the past decade,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “This industry is perfectly suited for veterans and we hope many will take advantage of one of these seminars.”
The seminar will be held in six different locations across West Virginia during September and October including: Charleston (Sept. 9), Bluefield (Sept. 10), Mt. Clare (Sept. 14) Huntington (Sept. 23), Clay (Sept. 24) and Moorefield (Oct. 7). Dr. Mike Rechlin, a WVDA maple commodity expert and WVMSPA board member, will cover topics such as maple syrup in West Virginia, the science behind the sweetness and backyard sugaring. There were also be hands-on activities.
These seminars are free and open to the public. To register, contact Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture Program Assistant Taylor Ferrell at tferrell@wvda.us or 304-357-5121.
- harleston September 9th: https://goo.gl/bBZXek
- Bluefield September 10th: https://goo.gl/BzWmtp
- Mt. Clare (Clarksburg) September 14th: https://goo.gl/rpoVWJ
- Huntington September 23rd: https://goo.gl/1rGyVg
- Clay September 24th: https://goo.gl/WtuJUK
- Moorefield October 7th: https://goo.gl/HN3hFw
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia.
