Mountain State Times

The Winter Blues Farmers Market is set to return for its 16th year on March 1 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. The event will run from noon to 5 p.m. and concludes the annual West Virginia Small Farm Conference, which takes place from February 26 to March 1. The conference is sponsored by WVU Extension and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA).

This year's market will feature over 120 agribusinesses from across West Virginia, offering a variety of products such as pure maple syrup and locally raised beef. Vendors will provide information about their products, including origin, ingredients, packaging, and pricing.

Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt emphasized the importance of supporting local producers: "Our farmers, growers, and producers are incredibly proud of their land, their agribusinesses, and the products they make," he said. Leonhardt noted that while local products might be more expensive than those in big box stores, they support local economies by using locally grown ingredients and employing local workers.

Admission to the Winter Blues Farmers Market is free. Last year's market generated over $140,000 in sales for vendors. For more information about the event, contact the WVDA Business Development Division at businessdevelopment@wvda.us or call 304-558-2210.

Information from this article can be found here.