Deadline Approaching for Farming Heritage Award

LEWISBURG, WV (05/29/2013)(readMedia)– The deadline is approaching for the eighth annual Farming Heritage Award that is being offered by the State Fair of West Virginia and the West Virginia Farm Bureau. Entries must be in the State Fair office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 3.

The Farming Heritage award will be presented to a family that has strived to maintain its rural lifestyle by contributing to the community, acting as role models, dedicating time to efficient agricultural production, and maintaining the upkeep of their farm through generations.

The winning family will be treated to an award ceremony during the State Fair on August 15, an award luncheon, overnight accommodations, free admission, preferred parking, and a Natural Stone Sign award with the family’s name that may be displayed indoors or outdoors. A photo and brief biography of the winners will also be displayed in the Gus R. Douglass Annex during the Fair.

“The Farming Heritage Award honors an agricultural family, and their multi-generation contributions to their community and to West Virginia. The official state seal, featuring a farmer, is the logo of the award program,” said Kelly Tuckwiller, Agricultural Competitions Manager, State Fair of West Virginia.

Entry forms may be completed by family members or by someone who wants to nominate a family for consideration. Judging will be conducted by an independent panel of judges.

Entry applications are available through the State Fair by calling Kelly Tuckwiller @ 304/645-1090 or visiting www.statefairofwv.com. Farming Heritage applications are also available through the West Virginia Farm Bureau office by calling LeVera Gillum @ 304/472-2080 ext. 302 or visiting www.wvfarm.org.

The 2013 State Fair is themed “Feel the Magic” and is scheduled August 9-17, 2013. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million dollar economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook and Twitter.

Our 2013 Youth Leadership Council

The State Fair of WV is proud to partner with SJ Neathawk for a third year to present the State Fair of WV Youth Leadership Council.  Members were selected through an application and interview process that included a review of their academic, extra curricular and volunteer activities.  Take a moment to meet the members of the 2013 YLC:

• Tanner McNeely (Greenbrier): Has served on both his 4-H & FFA Livestock Judging Teams, is a memeber of the American Boer Goat Association and has volunteered for the Lion’s Club Youth Basketball League, Energy Express and within his 4-H club.
• Kelly Guthrie (Preston): A Freshman at Fairmont State, is a member of the Preston County Livestock Association and was named the 2011 Lady of Agriculture.
• Aaron Propps (Greenbrier): An active member of the Greenbrier West High School Choir as well as his Church Youth Group and has a passion for photography.
• Jordan Miller (Pendleton): National Honor Society student, a member of the WV Jr. Angus Association and was awarded as Premier Beef Exhibitor in the 2011 State Fair of WV.
• Andi Harvey (Greenbrier): A member of the Renick Volunteer Fire Dept and has received both the Citizenship & Leadership Awards as a 4-H member, and is on track to complete her Charting project & to receive her pin during Greenbrier County’s Older 4-H camp.
• Tiffany Loudermilk (Greenbrier): Has volunteered countless hours to her 4-H club as well as with Penny Pitch & Energy Express. Tiffany has received her Greenhand Degree and Chapter & State Farmer Degree through her participation with FFA.

Council members are expected to complete a minimum number of volunteer hours that tie into the preparation and execution of the annual fair, develop programs and events that promote the State Fair Endowment as well as to challenge their leadership and organizational skills. Youth Council members will also have opportunities to be involved in promotional events that support the fair throughout the year. The 2012 Fair, saw Youth Council members supporting the State Fair Endowment by serving in the WV Building as they sold freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

Members are already working to outline their activities during the week of the fair. In fact, one of our members, Kelly Guthrie from Preston County, has created a plan for a food drive that will involve all of the 4-H clubs in her county. The club that turns in the most food will win a pizza party or ice cream social for their hard work. Kelly has a goal to collect 10,000 non-perishable food items by August 1st! All members of the council have been charged with creating a food drive in their communities to tie in with the Fair’s ‘Dream Big’ and ‘First Energy Magic Monday’ initiatives.

Follow along as these Youth Leaders work together to Dream Big!

State Fair Announces 2013 Scholarship Recipients

LEWISBURG, WV (05/20/2013)(readMedia)– The State Fair of West Virginia is pleased to announce the awarding of five (5), $1,000 four year scholarships to youth who have participated in the State Fair, excelled academically, and demonstrated a financial need. The State Fair scholarship endowment is coordinated through the Greater Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation and supported by individual and corporate contributors in addition to State Fair operations. Scholarships will be awarded during the 2013 State Fair.

2013 award recipients and the schools they are attending are:

Jossie Brooks, Lewisburg, WV, West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV (Recipient of the second annual Gus R. Douglass Scholarship)

Samantha Walton, Buckeye, WV, West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV

Olivia Workman, Hillsboro, WV, West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV

Stacie McMillion, Hinton, WV, University of Charleston in Charleston, WV

Malia Berg, Petersburg, WV, Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, VA

The 2013 State Fair is themed “Feel the Magic.” and is scheduled August 9-17, 2013. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million dollar economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook and Twitter.

Employment Applications Available for 2013 State Fair

LEWISBURG, WV (05/13/2013)(readMedia)– The 2013 State Fair is scheduled August 9-17and hiring is underway for over 200 positions! Previous employees interested in working in 2013 are encouraged to file an employment application by June 1. All employees receive customer service training and all positions pay at least minimum wage. According to CEO, Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe “We value the role our fair week employees play in our overall operation. Working at the State Fair is a great way to gain customer service skills.” Applicants must be able to work daytime and evening hours. Employment applications may be downloaded at www.statefairofwv.com or you may visit the State Fair office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The 2013 State Fair is themed “Memories that grow…year after year.” and is scheduled August 9-17, 2013. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million dollar economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook and Twitter.

State Fair of WV and S.J. Neathawk Announce 2013 Youth Leadership Council

LEWISBURG, WV (05/06/2013)(readMedia)– Six youth leaders from throughout West Virginia have been selected to serve on the 2013 State Fair of West Virginia Youth Council. This youth leadership initiative is coordinated in partnership with SJ Neathawk Lumber.

Council members were selected based upon a thorough written application and interview process. Members include:

Jordan Miller from Pendleton County is a National Honor Society student, a member of the WV Jr. Angus Association and was awarded as Premier Beef Exhibitor in the 2011 SFWV.

Kelly Guthrie from Preston County is currently enrolled as a Freshman at Fairmont State, is a member of the Preston County Livestock Association and was named the 2011 Lady of Agriculture.

From Greenbrier County, Andi Harvey, is a member of the Renick Volunteer Fire Department, and has received both the Citizenship Award the Leadership Award as a 4-H member and is on track to complete her Charting project and to receive her pin, during Greenbrier County’s Older 4-H camp.

Aaron Propps, also from Greenbrier County, is an active member of the Greenbrier West High School Choir as well as his Church Youth Group, and has a passion for photography.

Named Outstanding Youth Volunteer in 2009 by the Modern Woodmen, Tiffany Loudermilk from Greenbrier County has volunteered coutless hours to her 4-H club as well as with Penny Pitch and Energy Express. Tiffany has received the Greenhand Degree, and Chapter State Farmer degree through her participatoin with FFA.

Our 6th member, Tanner McNeely, from Greenbrier County, has served on both his 4-H FFA Livestock Judging Teams, is a member of the American Boer Goat Association, and has volunteered for the Lions Club Youth Basketball League, Energy Express and within his 4-H club.

Council members are expected to complete a minimum number of volunteer hours that tie into the preparation and execution of the annual fair, develop programs and events that promote the State Fair Endowment as well as to challenge their leadership and organizational skills. Youth Council members will also have opportunities to be involved in promotional events that support the fair throughout the year. The 2012 Fair, saw Youth Council members supporting the State Fair Endowment by serving in the WV Building as they sold freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

According to State Fair Special Events Concessions manager, Randi Nikolas, “We appreciate S.J. Neathawk Lumber’s partnership and are already working with the Youth Council to outline their activities during the week of the fair. In fact, one of our members, Kelly Guthrie from Preston County, has created a plan for a food drive that will involve all of the 4-H clubs in her county. The club that turns in the most food will win a pizza party or ice cream social for their hard work. Kelly has a goal to collect 10,000 non-perishable food items by August 1st! All members of the council have been charged with creating a food drive in their communities to tie in with the Fair’s ‘Dream Big’ and ‘First Energy Magic Monday’ initiatives.”

The State Fair of West Virginia, with an $13.8 million dollar economic impact on the State of West Virginia, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com.

Smart 529 and State Treasurers Office Launch 2013 State Fair Coloring Contest

Smart 529 and the State Fair invite children to “Feel the Magic” and enter the 2013 Smart 529 Coloring Contest!

Prizes will be awarded in the following grade categories (enter in the category in which the child will enroll in the fall of 2013): Pre-K, Kindergarten through First Grade, and Second through Third Grade. Prize package to include: First place (in each category): $75 plus 4 gate admisison tickets; 2nd place $50 plus 4 gate admission tickets; and third prize $25 and 4 gate admission tickets.

All entries must be received in in the State Fair Office by JULY 1, 2013. Mail to:

Coloring Contest, SFWV
PO Drawer 986
Lewisburg, WV 24901

The 2013 State Fair is themed “Feel the Magic” and is scheduled August 9-17, 2013. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $13.8 million dollar economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, follow fair events on Facebook and Twitter.

SMART529 is issued by the West Virginia College Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program Board of Trustees and is administered by The Hartford Life Insurance Company.