Commissioner of Agriculture (West Virginia)
J. Michael Teets
Contact:
Website:
| Name: | J. Michael Teets |
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| Party: | Republican |
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| Home City: | Lost River, W.Va. |
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| Home County: | |
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Biography:
Businessman, farmer, born/raised in WV. Education: Hardy County public schools, degree in Business Administration from Kemper Military Academy Booneville, Missouri. Served on the County Commission for 14 years, instrumental in organizing Farmland Preservation Board. Vice-President Hardy County Rural Development Authority, member of numerous organizations, attend Believers Victory Center.
Personal Statement:
- What actions will you take to protect West Virginia's forests and native plants from invasive insects and weeds?
- Assure funding is in place to eliminate invasive weeds and insects when they first appear. Maintain funding for follow-up to prevent any re-occurrence.
- How would you assess the farmland preservation program?
- Farmland preservation is a very good program. I helped set the program up in Hardy County and it has worked well. Each county can set up their own program to assure it meets the needs of the county and is within their financial structure.
- What needs to be done to encourage West Virginians to produce and consume locally grown agricultural products?
- Protecting consumers is the most important thing the Commissioner of Agriculture must do, and getting people to eat items grown and packaged locally is one of the best ways to ensure residents’ safety. We must expand our farmers markets – their number, offerings and seasons – to provide safe, affordable food options all year. West Virginia’s producers are capable of meeting the needs, and we can help them by making better use of existing warehouse space to store produce for distribution at non-traditional times. With new leadership we can help consumers with safe, fresh produce, assist farmers in finding new markets and stimulate the economy of the entire state with the job growth that will create.
