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[0] What role do you see the Agriculture Commissioner taking for the next term? [2] Increased production and utilization of “West Virginia Grown” and “Know Your Farmer- Know Your Food” will require the next commissioner to increase communication, education, cooperation and promotion between producers and consumers. Leadership during the transition at WVDA is critical for uninterrupted service. Working with the Legislature, state and federal agencies to continue funding and reasonable regulations of agriculture. [3] The role will be to not only efficiently manage the existing important functions of the $65 million agency, but also to take the leadership in making the current food crisis of ever-rising food prices/ever-lowering food value a golden West Virginia agriculture opportunity. Collaboration of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture with all other ag and food-related agencies, industry, institutions and organizations to develop a statewide food production, preparation, processing, marketing, and distribution system will get West Virginia farms producing for local consumption and for export, resulting in healthier West Virginia citizens, profitable West Virginia farms and revitalized rural economies. [4] There are many roles he or she needs to play but the one that stands out for me is strong leadership.The next commissioner needs to re-evaluate the needs of the people and address those needs in improving the services that will be provided to the citizens of this great state. That will take a strong leader who understands the agriculture industry. [5] We’ve got to take the lead on food safety. That touches everybody every day. We have to take the lead in that and make sure we have cutting-edge technology, up-to-date technology in our labs. Our people in the field are aware what’s going on, not just in West Virginia but also in the nation, and that’s extremely important. The commissioner always has to take a role in job creation. (There is )lots of huge potential here not just for farmers but processors who could further process food products that are grown right here in West Virginia. We can develop a lot of different lands, such abandoned coal lands. When the real money comes in, we can help the further processing of those products, whether it be meats, vegetables, things like that, canned products, that sort of thing. There is a huge amount of potential here. [6] Did not respond to repeated attempts to contact him. [7] Could not be reached for comment [1] 
There needs to be a review and a reorganization of the department so it can react to emerging opportunities and it needs to work more closely with other state and federal agencies. Agriculture in West Virginia is in decline, with the average age of West Virginia farmers being over 60 years old. You can’t ask young farmers to enter the industry unless you have done so yourself. My wife and I started our farm from scratch. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture did very little to help us. Our farm had been abandoned since 1957. We know what it takes to start a farm in West Virginia.
AgriHunt: WV agriculture commissioner race draws statewide attention
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