West Virginia set to host ag events

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is preparing for two agricultural and farming events in the coming weeks, according to a press release.

The Agritourism Workshop is scheduled for February 29 and the West Virginia University's Extension Service's Small Farms Conference is slated for March 1 through 3. Both events are slated to be at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown and require separate registrations.

"Agritourism is a growing niche market that can help farm owners add another income stream to their farm operations," said Gus R. Douglass, commissioner of agriculture. "Besides being an income opportunity, agritourism helps connect the public with the source of their food, which creates a greater awareness of the good work done by farmers everywhere."

The Agritourism Workshop features two speakers, Hugh McPherson of Maize Quest and Donna Alt of Brookdale Farms. McPherson has franchised Maize Quest to more than 70 farms in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. Brookdale Farms features a corn maze, interaction with animals and a farm in operation.

Douglass and Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver are scheduled to present 2012 West Virginia Agritourism Awards after lunch at the Agritourism Workshop.