CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- We celebrated Agriculture and Conservation Day on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the state Capitol in Charleston, where we were thrilled to honor West Virginia Conservation Farmers of the Year, Parrish J. and Jessica Pendley and their daughters, of Jackson County, who won the 2025 Traditional Farm award, and Hope Yankey of Wilding Woolly Farm in Hardy County, who won the 2025 Non-Traditional Farm award.

Each winning farm received citations, which were read aloud in the House of Delegates prior to their 11 a.m. floor session.

A big thank you to Delegate Bryan Ward of Hardy County, Delegate Jonathan Pinson of Mason County and Delegate Happy Joe Parsons of Jackson County, who organized the recognition of the farmers and their citations on the House floor.

Women in agriculture were also recognized in Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt's office Wednesday morning. Leonhardt signed a proclamation declaring 2026 the Year of the Woman Farmer. (See photo below right.)

According to the state Department of Agriculture, 33 percent of West Virginia farms and agribusinesses are owned and operated by women.

Each year we look forward to Agriculture and Conservation Day, and Wednesday didn't disappoint.