How farmers in West Virginia are using value-added processing to increase annual income

The purpose of this study was to describe methods of value-added processing being employed by farmers in West Virginia, the amount of interest in value-added processing as expressed by agriculture extension agents and farmers, and identified the number of value-added producers in West Virginia. The population targeted with the initial survey consisted of 28 agriculture extension agents in West Virginia representing 55 counties. The second telephone survey was directed to value-added producers within the state. From this data, four farms, Thistledew Farm, Kelly Smith, Headwater Farms and Higson's Farm, were chosen to participate in case studies. Value-added producers were identified in 21 counties for a total of 209 producers. It was found that agents were interested in increasing value-added processing in their counties and would like more information on advising farmers in value-added ventures. The majority of agents surveyed, 25 of 27, reported that some interest in value-added processing had been expressed to them by farmers in their areas.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Agricultural & Extension Education

Year dc:date.available

2002

Author dc:creator

• Lewis, Jennifer Leigh

Contributors dc:contributor

• Harry Boone.

• Agricultural education
• Agricultural economics

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1479

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2482