The West Virginia Farm PAC has announced its endorsements for the 2010 general election on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. In addition to endorsements for the West Virginia legislative races below, WV Farm PAC is endorsing the following candidacies: U.S. House of Representatives, District 1: David McKinley (R); 2nd District: Shelley Moore Capito (R); U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd District: Elliott E. “Spike” Maynard (R).

WV Senate endorsements:

District 2: Larry J. Edgell (D)
District 3: David C. Nohe (R)
District 4: Mike Hall (R)
District 5: Evan H. Jenkins (D)
District 7: Ron Stollings (D)
District 8: Bill Anderson (R)
District 9: Mike Green (D)
District 11: Gregory A. Tucker (D)
District 12: Joseph M. (Joe) Minard (D)
District 13: Cindy Frich (R)
District 14: Dave Sypolt (R)
District 15: Walt Helmick (D)
District 16: Craig Blair (R)
District 17: Charles Minimah (R)

WV House of Delegates endorsements:

District 1: Randy Swartzmiller (D)
District 2: Tim Ennis (D); Roy E. Givens (D)
District 3: Erikka Storch (R)
District 4: Michael T. Ferro (D); Scott Varner (D)
District 5: Dave Pethtel (D)
District 6: Wm. Roger Romine (R)
District 7: Lynwood “Woody” Ireland (R)
District 9: Larry Border (R)
District 10: Tom Azinger (R); Frederick David (R); Dan Poling (D)
District 11: Bob Ashley (R)
District 12: Mitch Carmichael (R)
District 13: Brady Paxton (D); Brian (Scotty) Scott (R)
District 14: Troy Andes (R); Darrell Justin Black (R)
District 15: Kevin Craig (D); Jim Morgan (D); Carol Miller (R)
District 16: Dale Stephens (D); Kelli Sobonya (R)
District 19: Greg Butcher (D)
District 21: Harry Keith White (D)
District 22: Daniel J. Hall (D); Linda Goode Phillips (D)
District 25: John R. Frazier (D); T. Mike Porter (R)
District 27: Rick Moye (D); Linda Sumner (R); Rick Snuffer (R)
District 28: Thomas Campbell (D); Ray Canterbury (R)
District 29: David Perry (D); John Pino (D); Marshall W. Clay (R)
District 30: Doug Skaff, Jr. (D); Fred Joseph (R); Eric Nelson (R)
District 31: Pamela Minimah (R)
District 32: Tim Armstead (R); Patrick Lane (R); Ron Walters (R)
District 33: David Walker (D)
District 34: Brent Boggs (D)
District 35: Sam Argento (D)
District 37: Bill Hartman (D)
District 38: Peggy Donaldson Smith (D)
District 39: Bill Hamilton (R)
District 40: Mary Poling (D)
District 41: Samuel J. “Sam” Cann (D); Ron Fragale (D); Richard J. Iaquinta (D); Tim Miley (D)
District 42: Jeff Tansill (R)
District 44: Chris Walters (R)
District 45: Larry A. Williams (D)
District 46: Debbie Stevens (R)
District 47: Harold Michael (D)
District 48: Allen V. Evans (R)
District 49: Gary Howell (R)
District 50: Ruth Rowan (R)
District 51: Daryl E. Cowles (R)
District 52: Mike Roberts (D)
District 53: Jonathan Miller (R)
District 54: Walter E. Duke (R)
District 55: John Overington (R)
District 56: Terry L. Walker (D)
District 58: Tiffany Lawrence (D)

Butlers win 2010 Farming Heritage Award

The Butler Farm and owners Bill and JoAnn Butler of Inwood, WV, have been selected as the 2010 Farming Heritage Award recipients. The annual award, sponsored by the State Fair of West Virginia and the West Virginia Farm Bureau, is presented to a worthy family demonstrating a commitment to a rural lifestyle, involvement in their community, and serving as role models to others in the state of West Virginia.

Four generations of the Butler Family have toiled the fields and orchards of the 1,500- acre apple/beef cattle farm and sportsman hunting preserve located in southern Berkeley County. Currently, Bill Butler and son, Todd, care for this land entrusted to them. Their beautiful farm is seen by many folks as a model of the characteristics of the Farming Heritage Award. The Butler Family has a legacy of community service, including their involvement in Berkeley County Farm Bureau, 4-H, FFA, Lions, Fairs and Festivals, WVU Extension Service, their church and their community.

The Butler Family will participate in the Heritage Award Ceremony held on Thursday, August 19, "Governor's Day" at the State Fair. Their award will be presented by State Fair President John Wilson and West Virginia Farm Bureau President Charles Wilfong. The Honorable Governor Joe Manchin, III, and Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass will address the group and participate in the awards ceremony.

The award package includes a day at the Fair with overnight accommodations, free admission, and preferred parking; as well as an engraved Natural Stone award for indoor or outdoor display.

Farm Bureau members inducted into Ag and Forestry Hall of Fame

Three long-time Farm Bureau members are among six honorees inducted into the 2010 Ag and Forestry Hall of Fame.

Robert C. “Bob” Baird, Joseph “Joe” Harper, and Jacob “Moffett” McNeel will be honored at the annual ceremony at Jackson’s Mill on Saturday, July 24.

Enshrinement in the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations, institutions and foundations who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and forestry.

Baird, of Mason County, has been a member of Farm Bureau since 1959 and has served several terms as president of Mason County FB. He is currently a supervisor with the Western Conservation District and has been honored with the Carroll Greene award as supervisor of the year.

Harper, of Pendleton County, joined Farm Bureau in 1972. He is the eighth generation to operate the family farm. Mr. Harper has been recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry & Consumer Sciences and has received the Award for Distinguished Service to West Virginia Agriculture from the WVU chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta.

A Farm Bureau member since 1943, Jacob “Moffett” McNeel runs an 880-acre operation in Pocahontas County, and is a major producer of beef, swine and sheep. McNeel is also a member of the Pocahontas County 4-H foundation, where he served as president for 35 years. He has been instrumental in bringing the National Youth Science Camp to Pocahontas County, and over a 21-year period, hosted more than 2,000 youth for tours of his farm.

Tickets for the event are $30 and can be purchased from Vera Gillum at the state office. The deadline for reservations is July 1. For more information, or to buy tickets, call 800-398-4630, extension 302.