Reflecting on the 2024 West Virginia Women in Agriculture Conference

By Traci Phillips, Black By God

The 2024 West Virginia Women in Agriculture Conference, presented by WVU Extension Services at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg, wasn’t just an event—it was a revelation. Surrounded by women who are leading the way in agriculture, I found myself inspired by their shared commitment to growth, innovation, and community. This conference wasn’t only about workshops or farm tours and building a vision for inclusive agriculture in West Virginia.

One of the conference’s highlights for me was the Horticulture Tour, where we visited remarkable farms like WineTree Vineyards, Tories Greenhouse, and Dave Hawkins Cedar Lane Farm. At WineTree, as I stood among the vines and sampled their wines, I started dreaming: What if West Virginia had a Black-owned winery? I could see it so clearly—a vineyard rooted in history, culture, and resilience, producing wines that tell the story of our people and this land. That dream felt audacious for a moment, but after witnessing the power of this conference and the determination of the women in attendance, I realized it’s more than possible—it’s inevitable.

Black women have long been the backbone of agriculture, tending gardens, cultivating the land, and feeding communities despite countless barriers. But our contributions often need to be acknowledged. At Black By God, we are committed to telling the stories of Black farmers in West Virginia—stories of triumph, struggle, and the dreams that drive us forward. The decline in Black farmers is real, but so is the potential for a Black agricultural renaissance. Today’s work is planting the seeds for a future where Black women reclaim their rightful place in agriculture.

That’s why initiatives like Ms. Ruby’s Corner Market mean so much. Opening soon on Charleston’s West Side, Ms. Ruby’s isn’t just a grocery store—it’s a symbol of renewal. Sourcing fresh, local produce and supporting Black and community farmers will be a cornerstone for food justice and community empowerment. It proves what’s possible when we dream big and work together. Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 11 am – 1 pm. It is located at 739 Central Ave in Charleston. 

The conference showed me that the future of agriculture in West Virginia is collaborative, inclusive, and bold. It’s a future where Black-owned wineries are no longer a dream but a reality. It’s a future where Ms. Ruby’s Corner Market thrives as a community hub, and Black women farmers are celebrated for their leadership. I left the conference inspired and ready to work because when we uplift Black women in agriculture, we uplift West Virginia. And that’s a vision worth pursuing.

This article was written by Traci Phillips, a reporter for BBG.