Farm Jobs in West Virginia

West Virginia agriculture generates $948 million in market value of agricultural products sold (2022 Census) supported by 22,787 farms spanning 3.5 million acres with an average farm size of 156 acres—notably, 92.7% of farms (21,117) are family-owned operations preserving multi-generational agricultural heritage across the Mountain State's challenging but beautiful terrain. The state's agricultural economy contributes $800 million annually to overall economic activity, and when timber products are included, the combined impact reaches nearly $5 billion, representing 1.6% of total state GDP and demonstrating agriculture and forestry's foundational role in West Virginia's economy. Leading agricultural commodities reflect West Virginia's mountainous geography and climate: broiler chicken production dominates as the #1 commodity generating over 30% of agricultural receipts with 78.5 million broilers produced in 2022 (down from over 90 million at century's end) and inventory of 70.2 million birds in modern contract growing operations concentrated in eastern counties; cattle and calves rank second accounting for over 20% of agricultural receipts ($211 million) with extensive cow-calf operations utilizing Appalachian pastures and mountain grazing; turkeys ($73.5 million), chicken eggs ($53.9 million), and hay production round out top commodities. Livestock, poultry and their products generated $716 million in market value (75.5% of total agricultural sales), while crops totaled $232 million (24.5%), demonstrating West Virginia's livestock-dominant agricultural economy. Additional commodities include apples ($13.5 million) from commercial orchards in eastern panhandle counties, maple syrup production tapping sugar maples across mountain forests, corn grown primarily for livestock feed, dairy operations serving local markets, and specialty products including honey, Christmas trees, and agritourism enterprises. Farm real estate values reflect agricultural economics: $3,420 per acre average (2024, up $120 from 2023), cropland at $4,050/acre (up $130), and pastureland at $2,250/acre (up $30), with values substantially below Corn Belt states but appropriate for mountainous terrain with moderate growing seasons. West Virginia agriculture benefits from abundant rainfall (40-50+ inches annually), diverse microclimates from 240-foot elevation along Ohio River to 4,000+ feet in mountains, rich Appalachian forest ecosystems supporting livestock grazing and timber production, and proximity to major East Coast population centers providing markets for agricultural products. Employment opportunities span year-round poultry operations (contract growers, processing plant workers), cattle ranching (cow-calf operations, pasture management, hay production), apple orchards (pruning, thinning, harvest), maple syrup production (tapping, boiling, bottling), forestry activities (logging, timber management), and agricultural services throughout West Virginia from eastern panhandle agricultural regions through central mountain counties to western livestock areas.

West Virginia agriculture offers farm types adapted to mountainous terrain. Poultry operations dominate, with contract broiler growers raising chickens for major integrators (Pilgrim's Pride, Tyson) in modern climate-controlled houses—growers typically own facilities while integrators provide chicks, feed, and veterinary services, purchasing finished birds; employment for poultry farm workers caring for birds, maintaining facilities, and managing environmental controls, with 6-8 week growing cycles year-round. Cattle ranches utilize extensive Appalachian pastures for cow-calf operations—herds graze mountain pastures spring through fall, receiving hay during winter, with spring calving creating intensive work period; employment includes cattle feeding, health monitoring, pasture management, fence maintenance, and hay production. Turkey operations provide similar contract growing employment. Dairy farms (smaller operations serving local markets) require twice-daily milking year-round. Apple orchards in eastern panhandle counties grow commercial varieties requiring pruning (winter), thinning (spring), and harvest (August-October). Maple syrup producers tap sugar maples in late winter, collecting sap and boiling to syrup in evaporators. Hay farms produce grass hay and alfalfa for livestock feed markets. Diversified livestock-crop farms combine cattle, poultry, hay, and small grains. Forestry operations harvest timber from extensive forest lands. Specialty farms include Christmas tree operations, beekeeping, vegetable farms serving farmers markets, and agritourism enterprises.