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News Release 8-3-2001

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WVDA COUNTRY STORE WILL FEATURE FREE TASTING SESSIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2001

LEWISBURG, WV — West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass invites the public to visit the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s (WVDA) new "Country Store" at this year’s State Fair of West Virginia August 10-18.

"The State Fair is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the outstanding agricultural products sold in our state," said Commissioner Douglass. "This year’s Country Store will have an even wider array of products than in the past, and I hope that everyone who visits the Fair this year will stop by the Annex and support our West Virginia agribusinesses."

As in past years, the exhibit will be set up in the Gus R. Douglass Annex adjacent to the grandstand and will feature a large selection of West Virginia products, such as fresh fruit, jams, jellies, sauces and fresh-baked bread daily. "This year’s Country Store will have a larger selection of products for sale," said Jean Smith, Director of WVDA’s Marketing and Development Division.

"We’re particularly pleased to have an expanded refrigerated section so we can stock more of our smoked trout, trout pate and our very popular summer sausage," said Smith. Refrigerated items will also include quick breakfast foods, she added.

Many of the state’s agribusinesses will also play a role in the WVDA display. "We are planning to have four free tastings per day where the public can come in and try – then hopefully buy – some of the great agricultural products made in our state," said Smith.

However, the WVDA exhibit will include more than food. "As part of our educational activities, we are creating an ‘Ask the Expert’ booth," said WVDA Communications Division Director Bill Bissett. "Many of the inquiries we receive are general questions about the Department, in addition to specific questions about agriculture in the Mountain State. Each day of the Fair, we will have a WVDA staff member at the booth to answer questions."

Scheduled to attend are staff members from WVDA’s Plant Industries Division, Marketing and Development Division and Regulatory and Environmental Affairs Division.

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