Around the Dome
Dwayne O’Dell, Director of Government Relations
I count it a
great opportunity and
responsibility to serve as
the Director of Government
Affairs for the West Virginia
Farm Bureau. First of
all, I want to extend my
thanks to Don Michael, my
predecessor. He has done
an outstanding job, with honesty and integrity.
Best wishes to him in his retirement.
wrote, “Bless, O Lord, all the people of this land from
the highest to the lowest.” President Ronald Reagan
said the portrait of George Washington kneeling in the
snow at Valley Forge “personified a people who knew
it was not enough to depend on our own courage and
goodness; but they must seek help from God, their
Father and their Preserver.” These men and many
others set the stage for the successes of the past and
foundation for the future.
Let me tell you a little about myself. I attended
public schools in Roane County, graduating from
Spencer High School in 1974. I went on to West
Virginia University, where I graduated in 1978 with
a B.S. in Agriculture Education, followed by an
M.S. degree in 1982. I taught vocational agriculture
for five years (1978-1983) at Buckhannon-Upshur
High School.
Over the last few weeks, I have become more
familiar with the legislative process. I will be updating
the Legislative Action Report each Friday to provide
you with the most up- to-date information on bills
being considered by our legislators this year. Over
25 bills have been introduced that have implications
for agriculture and energy development. Several
hundred bills have been introduced for consideration.
A complete list of bills may be viewed at www.legis.
state.wv.us
During the past 32 years, I have worked in
various positions for the West Virginia Department of
Agriculture. I started out as State Agronomist, then
Livestock Section Chief, and finally Assistant Director
of the Marketing Division.
I have met many senators, delegates and other
State leaders. I’m reminded of President Lincoln’s
statement in regard to leadership: “Nearly all men can
stand adversity, but if you really want to test a man,
give him power.”
Our family has operated a 700-acre purebred
Angus beef farm for the past 35 years. I have been
blessed in sharing my life with my wife Cindy, who
has put up with me for over 30 years. We have three
beautiful daughters and a precious granddaughter.
I look forward to meeting each of you and to being
part of a team that seeks to meet the challenges of West
Virginia farmers with integrity, courage, and a vision
for the future. If I can be of help to you, please call
me at 304-871-0885 or send an e-mail to dwayneo@
wvfarm.org.
As a new page in my life turns, I look back
at the past, but I’m also looking forward to the
opportunity of serving the West Virginia Farm
Bureau to promote, protect, build and enhance
West Virginia agriculture. Many challenges exist,
including environmental regulations, educational
acceptance by consumers for new technology like
GMOs, as well as energy policy issues. All of these
affect our rural communities and in particular our
farmers and agribusinesses in West Virginia.
The keystone to the future is to remember our past.
In his prayer journal, General George Washington
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West Virginia Farm Bureau News 5