MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Green bean productions could begin next year in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.
About 25 farmers met with West Virginia Department of Agriculture officials on Thursday, January 28th to discuss the possibility of working with of Pennsylvania vegetable broker D & E Farms on the project.
A representative from D & E Farms said the Eastern Panhandle’s location along Interstate 81 is ideal for transportation, and thinks the process will be similar to growing corn for most farmers.
Due to the rocky 2015, D&E isn’t looking to start the partnership until next year; however, Butch Antollini, the Director of Communications and Marketing for the state agricultural department said the wait won’t stop the local farmers.
He said “Another year for them to plant corn or soybeans or whatever they may have in their fields is not going to bother them.”
Antollini also said “What was good about this evening was the fact that [the farmers] were able to garner some information on what it takes.”
Corn is actually one of the best crops green beans can follow in the same area according to the D & E Farms rep, and the process for growing both is fairly similar.
The department is also planning on offering an incentive package the first year to help get the farmers started.