WVU Parkersburg awarded $469,183.79 agriculture grant to boost food resiliency, education

WVU Parkersburg awarded $469,183.79 agriculture grant to boost food resiliency, education
Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 7, 2025) — WVU Parkersburg has been awarded a $469,183.79 grant from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to strengthen agriculture education and improve food system resiliency in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
The funding, part of the state’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, will support expanded educational opportunities, increased food processing capabilities and further development of WVU Parkersburg’s Riverhawk Farm.
“We are incredibly excited and honored to receive the RFSI grant,” said John Riggs, Agriculture Director at WVU Parkersburg. “It’s a transformative opportunity that supports our continued efforts to elevate agriculture education and local food systems in the Mid-Ohio Valley. This funding reflects the growing recognition of the importance of hands-on training and agricultural innovation.”
The grant was awarded through a competitive selection process led by an independent review committee.
“We established an independent ranking committee that removes politics from the process and lets the experts select the application with the greatest potential impact,” said Norm Bailey, Chief of Staff at the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. “WVU Parkersburg stood out for its ability to drive positive change in agriculture and community resilience.”
The funding will benefit Riverhawk Farm by expanding student and producer processing capacity, particularly for produce and honey. It will also support construction of state-of-the-art facilities for hands-on student learning and modern agricultural technology training.
“These upgrades will support Riverhawk Farm’s role in training the next generation of agricultural professionals while boosting local food security and production capacity,” Riggs said.
Bailey said WVU Parkersburg is “on the ground floor doing something great.”
“This is going to help push them to the next level, teaching the community about the value of agriculture and improving our food system from the ground up,” he said.
Bailey also emphasized how the derecho in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in the national food supply chain.
“Our food supply chain is very fragile,” he said. “By producing our own products locally, we can help prevent shortages, improve food quality and strengthen our local economy.”
Riggs said the grant elevates Riverhawk Farm’s position in the region.
“This grant positions Riverhawk Farm as the agricultural hub of the Mid-Ohio Valley,” he said. “It strengthens our educational infrastructure and our region’s food system resilience.”
He also thanked key partners and supporters.
“We are incredibly thankful to Dr. Bobbi Marshall for her leadership, the entire Riverhawk Farm team for their dedication, and the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation for their continued support,” said Riggs. “Special thanks also go to our agriculture partners and supporters, including the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Jay-Bee Oil & Gas, Hall Drilling, Perkins Supply, Mike and Brenda Miller, and all who believe in our mission to grow local agriculture through education and innovation.”