Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.  

Today is Monday, April 7, 2025.

Preston County joins the West Virginia Statewide Farm Crawl set for July…drone use benefits the state’s agriculture industry…and, speaking of agriculture, this industry generates nearly a billion dollars for the economy in #YesWV…on today’s daily304.

 

#1 – From WV NEWS – Last year, a variety of local Preston County farms banded together for the annual Preston County Farm Crawl. This year, the farmers will join a larger, statewide initiative.

The 2025 West Virginia Statewide Farm Crawl takes place each weekend in July. During this time, different farms across West Virginia will open their gates to visitors, offering unique experiences, tours and a chance to purchase fresh, local products.

Elizabeth Riffle, owner of Riffle Farms and former creative director of the Preston County Farm Crawl, said the concept of farm crawls has become very popular.

“I am glad that the farm crawl was successful enough and garnered enough attention that the state wants to promote it and help advertise it across the state,” she said.

Specific dates and farm listings for the 2025 event are still pending. For more information, visit agriculture.wv.gov.

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/prestoncountynews/preston-county-farmers-to-join-statewide-farm-crawl-event/article_2e295e9a-2773-4647-8a78-0a7c84b43d7d.html

 

#2 – From WV NEWS – In recent years, radar technology has advanced to the point that drones can fly autonomously without crashing into terrain or other obstacles.

This has led to a rise in drone use for agricultural purposes in West Virginia, where the topography is often too steep for helicopters, crop dusters and tractors.

Over the last decade or so, drones have been steadily replacing helicopter and crop dusters across the country. Current radar technology allows drones to navigate West Virginia’s hills while remaining a set height above vegetation to mitigate the chance of a crash.

Read more:

https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/tech-advances-make-drones-feasible-for-west-virginia-agriculture/article_4a0412a8-6fd5-4221-a85e-e7ac6f863b28.html

 

#3 – From WV DED – West Virginia’s agriculture industry consists of 22,787 farms generating nearly $948 million in 2022. The state’s diverse agricultural output, led by top commodities such as poultry, cattle, and calves, highlights its essential role in driving economic growth. 

Connect with an experienced consultant for assistance in site selection, business development or navigating local government regulations. Contact West Virginia Economic Development to learn more about the agriculture industry in #YesWV.

Learn more:

https://westvirginia.gov/industries/food-and-agriculture/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. 

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.