"Women have always played a strong role in agriculture," says West Virginia Deputy Commissioner Janet L. Fisher on a WVDA Women in Agriculture website, "but it's just been in the last few years they have received the recognition they deserve."
Conversely, through books, popular movies and so on, we all know that pioneer women played an important role in the development of agriculture in early American history. We may not realize that many women still play a similar important role, today.
One statewide program is working to correct that. Women who have made significant contributions to the "establishment, development or improvement of West Virginia agriculture, forestry, public service or specialty crops in the Mountain State," are eligible for induction into the state's "Women in Agriculture" program notes the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. WVDA is currently seeking nominations for the 2012 West Virginia Women In Agriculture program.
WVDA Seeks Nominees For 2012 Women In Agriculture Program
Biographies of selected women will be featured in the Gus R. Douglass Annex building during the 2012 State Fair of West Virginia.
"I can say from personal experience that there's a strong woman at the heart of many successful agricultural operations," says WV Commissioner of Agriculture Douglass. "I'm sure there are plenty of worthy candidates out there, and I'm calling on their friends and families to nominate them."
Nominations to the program are due by June 15, 2012. WVDA notes those who nominate individuals for the honor should provide a brief history of the nominee's unique impact or contribution to the agricultural industry. The nominee's involvement in local and state agriculture activities, particularly over the last 10-12 years, should be included. A high-resolution photograph, no smaller than 5x7, of the nominee is also required. A digital photograph is preferred.
Nomination forms can be obtained by contacting the WVDA Marketing and Development Division at 304-558-2210, or via e-mail to tfitzsimmons@wvda.us. Forms are also available at WVDA's website at www.wvagriculture.org under the Women in Agriculture logo.
Completed applications must be returned to: Tracy Fitzsimmons, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E, Charleston, WV 25305, or emailed to tfitzsimmons@wvda.us.