Six individuals will be inducted into the West Virginia Ag and Forestry Hall of Fame (WVAFHF) for 2009, including three members of the West Virginia Farm Bureau. This honor is bestowed only on those who have lived in West Virginia, had a long tenured association with agriculture, forestry and family life, have made outstanding, direct contributions to those industries and demonstrated the highest standards of leadership and contribution on a local, state, national and international level.

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USDA Rural Development offering Value-Added producer grants

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) has announced the availability of $18 million in competitive grant funds for fiscal year 2009 to help independent agricultural producers enter into value-added activities. The deadline for paper applications for unreserved funds is June 22, 2009. The deadline for electronic applications for unreserved funds is July 6, 2009.

Awards may be made for planning activities or for working capital expenses, but not for both. The maximum grant amount for a planning grant is $100,000 and the maximum grant amount for a working capital grant is $300,000. The grant will fund one of the following two activities:

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