farmers and the public of the significance of
agricultural chemicals and the laws and regulations
covering their usage.
We recommend companies label all packaged
chemicals and/or drugs in appropriate weights and
measures to assist the homeowner/home gardener or
small producer in proper application.
We recommend that the West Virginia Division of
Environmental Protection provide collection centers
throughout West Virginia to accept unused farm and
household chemicals and containers.
We recommend additional emphasis be placed
on improved biological controls or integrated pest
management control methods.
We recommend that the West Virginia Department
of Agriculture cooperate with the adjoining State
Departments of Agriculture to approve the use of
agricultural pesticides to create fair competition for
our farmers.
7. FAIR IMPORTS
In order to protect the health and safety of U.S.
citizens and the economic well-being of U.S. farmers,
Farm Bureau recommends that any agricultural
product imported into this country be produced
according to the same rules and regulations currently
required of U.S. farmers and companies.
8. SUPPORT OF WV YOUNG FARMERS
West Virginia Farm Bureau actively encourages
the support of younger farmers throughout the state
and recommends that sufficient resources be made
available within the West Virginia Department of
Agriculture to facilitate the following:
Creation of a low-interest loan program,
specifically for younger farmers (35 years of age
and younger) to access to start and/or expand an
agricultural operation in West Virginia
Development of a West Virginia Farm Transfer
Program, designed to pair those farmers preparing to
transition out of agriculture with a younger farmer
(35 years of age or younger) who is interested in
purchasing an existing farm to begin or expand an
agricultural operation
9. SOIL TESTING PROGRAM
The soil testing program at West Virginia
University is effective and benefits farmers and
gardeners. We recommend that the Legislature provide
adequate funds for this program, and that WVU
maintains adequate laboratory personnel to return soil
test results in a timely manner.
10. FUNDING FOR AG ENHANCEMENT
PROGRAM
We recommend the continuation of adequate
funding for the WV Ag Enhancement Program,
administered by West Virginia Conservation Districts.
11. PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL
COMMODITIES & INDUSTRIES
Farm Bureau recommends that the West Virginia
Development Office cooperate with the Department
of Agriculture in attracting agricultural processing
industries.
We recognize the right of producers to promote
research, sales, and consumption of the commodities
they produce; we recommend West Virginia farm
products be specified when available as the products
of choice for state and county agencies, such as school
systems, correctional centers, etc.; and we recommend
removal of the federal regulation prohibiting the
advertisement and promotion of milk as a low fat food.
We support the continued development and
promotion of the WV Grown Program so that West
Virginia grown produce should receive priority in state
farmers’ markets, tailgate markets, and in purchases by
state government.
Regulations governing custom slaughtering plants,
locker plants, producer-slaughterers, dairying, syrup
making or any other farm-produced product should be
modified so as not to eliminate those local services and
to allow face-to-face sales from farmer to consumer
with minimum government interference.
We recommend that producers’ check-off funds not
be used for political or legislative lobbying.
12. EQUINE INDUSTRY
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports updating
the “Horse Industry Impact Study on Economic
Development and Tourism in WV” completed in 2005
by WVU.
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the
development of private facilities and public facilities
to promote equine industry growth with a focus on
educational programs, activities and tourism.
West Virginia Farm Bureau supports the recognition
and classification of horses and other equine as a farm
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 9