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Jefferson County Hires first Ag Development OfficerProgram or Category: Potomac Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)Overview: The Jefferson County Agricultural Task Force (ATF) has been in existence for about three years. Two years ago the ATF completed The Agricultural Development Plan. The number one of the first recommendations detailed by “The Ag Action Plan” (TAAP), as it is referred to, was to establish an Agricultural Development Office (ADO). Several members of the ATF volunteered to serve on the ADO Implementation Team including Craig Yohn (WVU Extension Service), Richard Zimmerman (WVU Small Fruit and Berry Research Station), Marian Buckner (Potomac Headwaters RC&D Council Member), and Gary Dungan (Jefferson County Development Authority Member). The Implementation Team developed a position description, goals and objectives, and job qualifications. The Jefferson County Development Authority was asked to become the employing agency and quickly agreed to do so. The Development Authority prepared their budget for FY-2005 and included a funding request from the County Commission sufficient for the first year’s salary, which was honored. The RC&D Project office began an advertising campaign for the position that covered the east coast and parts of the mid-west. The RC&D Council paid for the advertising using WV Conservation Agency and Jefferson County Commission funds it had received in support of the Ag Task Force. Seventeen applications were received. A Selection Committee composed of several members of the Implementation Team and Jane Tabb (Jefferson County Commissioner), Jane Peters (Executive Director of JCDA), Ward Zigler (Jefferson County Farmer), William Grantham (Jefferson County Farmer), Cam Tabb (Jefferson County Farmer), Robert Kutcher (Human Resource Specialist at Royal Vendors), and Peter Fricke (Jefferson Co. Farmland Protection Board) began the work of weeding out the applications in order to make an offer to the best candidate. During the process the Farmland Protection Board (JCFPB) agreed to partner with the Jefferson County Development Authority and create a position that served as the administrator for the JCFPB and the Ag Development Officer. Accomplishments: All applications were reviewed and on July 27, Ms. Kellie Boles, a marketing specialist for the WV Department of Agriculture was offered the position. She accepted and will begin her duties as Jefferson County’s first Agricultural Development Officer on October 1, 2004. Program Benefits to Community: The main focus is to improve the economic return that all farmers get for their efforts. The new ADO will be working with producers on how to better market their products through the use of value-added concepts and providing new/unique services. The ADO will be working the Agri-Tourism folks with tours. Contact Information:
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