Marshall County
Salutes Women in
Agriculture
Joan Harman
Marshall County’s 4th annual Women in Agriculture
Day was held on May 23 in Moundsville at the former
state penitentiary. Sponsored by FSA, NRCS, Northern
Panhandle Conservation District, WV Department of
Agriculture and the WV Conservation Agency, the
event seeks to highlight the contributions of women in
agriculture while providing educational and networking
opportunities.
This year, attendees learned about high tunnels,
starting a small business, making wine and cut flower
production.
Organizer Joy Riggle is the event’s biggest
Joy Riggle assists Bryan Lyden in a winemaking
demonstration; below, top: attendees enjoy browsing
the vendor’s section; bottom: Ag Commissioner Walt
Helmick addresses the crowd.
cheerleader, and beams with
enthusiasm. “I love helping
people succeed in their farming
operations,” she says with a grin.
Women in Agriculture Day in
Marshall County has seen steady
growth in attendance each year –
with more than 260 registered for
2013. Organizers feel that people
keep coming back because they can
learn and have fun at the same time.
Twelve volunteers begin work
each February to plan and organize
the event, using evaluation sheets
from the previous year to guide
them. Riggle hopes more counties
will hold their own Women in
Agriculture observances. “Onethird of West Virginia farms are
owned or operated by women,” she
said.
That’s certainly a number that
shouldn’t be ignored.
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 15