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Help Available Through
Value Chain Cluster
Initiative
Do you have a food or farm
business or do you work with
a food or farm business? If you
answer “yes”, and live in one of
seventeen eligible West Virginia
counties, you can participate in
the Value Chain Cluster Initiative.
This program “provides handson business development and
coaching services to strengthen
local food and farm businesses.”
Particpants can receive coaching
about such subjects as business
planning; web technology;
marketing and branding; legal
assistance with contracts and
incorporation, and much more!
Eligible counties in West
Virginia include: Doddridge, Tyler,
Ritchie, Gilmer, Barbour, Preston,
Randolph, Tucker, Upshur,
Fayette, Greenbrier, Monroe,
Pocahontas, Calhoun, Clay, Roane
and Wirt.
For full details, see the website
at www.vc2.org or call 304-6614951.
2 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
Butler Reigns over Strawberry Festival
WVFB Secretary-Treasurer/
Administrator Steve Butler was
recently crowned Strawberry
Festival King in Upshur County.
Butler, who raises cattle and sheep
along with strawberries and other
assorted crops, was crowned in May
and presided over the annual parade
and other festival activities. He has
taken some good-natured ribbing
from office staff, too, who have been
genuflecting and addressing him as
“your Highness.” All kidding aside,
congratulations, Steve.
Former WVFB Board Member Moffet McNeel Dies
Jacob Moffett “Mac” McNeel Jr.,
age 85, of Hillsboro, passed away
Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at Bowers
Hospice House in Beckley. He was
a former member of the WVFB
Board of Directors, and a 1996
winner of the WVFB Distinguished
Service Award.
McNeel had been recognized
multiple times for his contributions
to agriculture, and was very active
in numerous civic and community
organizations.
Moffett’s work ethic set an
example, his love of family knew
no bounds, his commitment to the
community was inexhaustible and
his faith made him strong.
He is survived by four sons,
10 grandchildren and 9 greatgrandchildren.
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Send to [email protected].