Released May 26, 2009
INSTITUTE, W.V. -- West Virginia State University Extension Service will offer a seminar June 27 from 9:30 a.m. to noon on raising goats and sheep for ethnic markets. The seminar is at the Mullens Opportunity Center in Mullens, W.V.
The seminar for consumers, farmers, and producers will focus on the benefits of locally producing and distributing more alternative and ethnic foods. Almeshia Brown with West Virginia State University Extension Service will facilitate the seminar.
Goat, lamb, and sheep are the current target ethnic food; however a diverse focus group has been formed to discuss educating the public on the demand for other food choices as well.
While West Virginia farmers raise a number of goat and sheep, producers usually export these animals to larger metropolitan areas with the greatest public demand. WVSU Extension Service’s research found a number of West Virginians purchase food over the Internet or travel out of state to meet their dietary needs.
With West Virginia’s strong agriculture, it is possible to produce and distribute these foods within the state. “We work here, raise our families here, pay taxes here, and therefore why not get fresh locally grown food that meets our dietary needs here as well?” said Brown. “It creates a more welcoming environment not only for producers native to the Mountain State, but also to other people who have moved to the region and have come to call West Virginia home. It’s a win-win situation, especially in our current economy.”
There is no fee to attend the seminar, however it does require prior registration by 4 p.m. on June 18. Contact Deborah Jolly at (304) 204-4007 to register.
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Contact: Deborah Jolly, (304) 204-4007
