I normally don’t go to West Virginia that much. I don’t know why; it is less than 2.5 hours from my house. But it has become a second home to me this year.

That was bound to happen when I found out that three of this year’s Master Farmers hailed from the Mountain State.

American Agriculturist, along with the Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers Association, puts on the annual Master Farmers event and tour. More than 80 people attended this year’s banquet at Cacapon State Park Resort in Berkeley Springs. The banquet honored the 2023 Master Farmers: Bill and Matthew Beam, Bill and Jim Martin, and Robert Taylor.

The next day, about 30 people went on the annual tour. Stops included a tour of The Freshwater Institute in Shepherdstown; the USDA’s Appalachian Fruit Research Center in Kearneysville; Lyle C. Tabb and Sons Composting, also in Kearneysville; and Orr’s Farm Market in Martinsburg.

Click on the slideshow to see highlights from this year’s event. And mark your calendars for next July as the banquet and tour will be held in Chester County, Pa.

Nominate for 2024

It is not too early to nominate a Master Farmer candidate for 2024. We’re looking for great candidates from the five-state Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer region of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

It doesn’t matter how big or small the farm is. We’re just looking for the most qualified candidates for this prestigious award.

While farm couples or partners may be nominated, farm family businesses don’t qualify. This award recognizes outstanding individuals.

Nominations for the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer Award are due Jan. 1. But the sooner we get names, the better.

Email your nominations — include name, complete address and contact information — to [email protected] or send it by mail to Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer Program, P.O. Box 734, Richland, PA  17087.

The Master Farmer Award is co-sponsored by American Agriculturist and Cooperative Extensions in the five mid-Atlantic states.

Check out videos featuring this year’s Master Farmers below: