By Stephen Smoot
“Let me emphasize a couple of things,” said West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey last Friday night, as he stood before 300 plus who came to join the West Virginia Poultry Association in its yearly celebration of the industry.
“What you do here is really critical,” he explained, adding that growers, producers, and others “play a critical role in helping West Virginia and the nation eat healthy.” The Governor then touted the powerful nutritional benefits of poultry and said “Thank you for the hard work you do.”
He also assured that while Governor, he would not neglect the Potomac Highlands as state government has from time to time over the decades.
The Poultry Association held its celebration at Misty Mountain Farms in Kessel, inviting all to a 4:30 reception and a 6 o’ clock President’s Dinner. Weather conditions made the name true to the place as gossamer clouds of fog clung to the surrounding mountain and ridgetops.
Many came to the 4:30 reception to enjoy incredible views of the natural wonders of the area while socializing and enjoying drinks and hors’ d’oerves. Close to six o’clock, all filed into the main hall to take their seats for the dinner.
After the Governor’s message to open the dinner, Dave Workman, Hardy County Commissioner, offered the blessing, saying “bless the fellowship . . . and the hands that prepared the food.”
Attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner of chicken and stuffing, roast turkey, green beans and ham, mashed red potatoes, gravy, rolls, salad, and a plethora of desserts.
Ward Malcolm, President of the WVPA, served also as master of ceremonies for the program. It recognized the poultry pageant queens, WVPA scholarship recipients, and window display winners. He also noted that “as the Governor said, this is the biggest part of agriculture in West Virginia.
Malcolm also introduced author Rick Shockey who was in the area promoting the second in his Hardy’s Heroes series that discusses each of the soldiers from that county lost in the Second World War.
In West Virginia, the core of the poultry industry extends along lines connecting production centers in Moorefield and elsewhere with numerous growers throughout the Potomac Highlands, but concentrated in Hardy and Pendleton.
As any at the dinner would proudly relate, poultry represents West Virginia’s largest agricultural sector.
Madison Gregory opened the honors and awards segment of the evening by calling members of the court of poultry queens to the fore. Aubrey Simmons, who earned the Teen Poultry Queen title, shared that “I have loved this week. My favorite part of the week was going to this guy’s farm and I got to hold turkeys.”
She added that “I got to cook turkey in the smoker.” Simmons was joined in that exercise by Poultry Queen Madeline Johnson. Together, they prepared part of the meal for the Tuesday night educational dinner in Oak Flat.
Johnson spoke next of her pride in having “deep roots” in poultry and of the “hard work, dedication, and perseverance to preserve the legacy” of centuries of area farmers working the land. She added “Poultry is not just one of the leading agricultural sectors. It’s the pillar.”
Dawson Sherman, who placed second runner up for Poultry Queen, also expressed that “I love the poultry industry and I love the farmers.”
Alexandria Smith, one of Hardy County’s West Virginia University Extension Agents who also pitched in with a tremendous amount of work on Youth Day, recognized the two recipients of the WVPA scholarship. Sydney Rumor shared that she will attend Pierpont Community and Technical College in fairmont for radiology and Ashley Rohbaugh discussed majoring in a veterinary field at Potomac State College, then later, West Virginia University.
After Malcolm announced that Rebecca’s Flowers won the window design contest, former WVPA President Dale Walker introduced the awardee of a lifetime membership.
That honor goes to an individual with a lifetime of dedication to supporting the industry through multiple means. Walker’s announcement that Greg Greenwalt earned the award should have surprised no one in the room.
For decades, Greenwalt has remained deeply involved in developing and shaping Hardy County in the fields of poultry, economic development, academics, and more. While owning successful businesses engaged in poultry and other agricultural endeavors, Greenwalt also has served on the Hardy County Rural Development Authority, Hardy County Planning Commission, the Board of Directors of Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College and more.
“Greg has been very active in the poultry industry. He’s always there to help and to give advice,” Walker noted.
Next came the Producer of the Year honors awarded by the different integrators. From Mathias, Sheldon Barb was honored as Cargill’s Producer of the Year. He ranked 20th out of 113 producers in their network.
Those from outside Hardy County include Saville Poultry near North River Mills, Hampshire County, honored by Farmer Focus, Pilgrims Broiler of the Year awardee Jimmie and Vickie Bennett of Riverton, Pendleton County. Pilgrims Puller Grower of the Year Adam Liller of Augusta, Hampshire County, Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative Turkey Grower of the Year Oak Flat Farm in Dayton, Virginia, but incorporated in West Virginia, Dorsey Evans of Petersburg.
Finally, Hardy County Magistrate Craig Hose gave the oath of office to WVPA officers both returning for new terms and coming in for the first time.
Next year’s slate of officers will be Ward Malcolm, President, Eddie Keplinger, Vice President, Elwood Williams as V. P. Broiler Breeder, Kevin Sponaugle and Broiler Breeder grower, David Fansler as V. P. Broilers, Steve Lambert as V. P,. Turkeys, Brian Keplinger as Turkey Grower, Scott Sherman as V. P. Pullets, Judy Hesse as Executive Secretary and Treasurer, Allen Collins as Processor, Isaac Godlove as Service Person, Brittany Winslow from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Ashwell from West Virginia University, Alexandria Smith from WVU Extension, and WVU Professor of Poultry Production Dr. Joe Moritz.
