West Virginia

West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Commissioner

Website: https://agriculture.wv.gov/
Social Media: Twitter

About:

Kent Leonhardt is a longtime farmer who began his passion for the industry by reviving a farm that had sat abandoned for over 40 years located in the western end of Monongalia County. The farm, that he still lives on today, was purchased in 1982 and started cultivating crops and raising livestock in 1997. As of 2016, the farm has grown from the original 205 acres to 380 contiguous acres. With the help of his wife, Shirley, Kent raises sheep, cattle and goats and sells hay when there is a surplus available. Kent received his formal education in the science of Agriculture by earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Missouri. While earning his degree he took a variety of courses covering issues pertinent to the Department of Agriculture as well as the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. Kent furthered his education by earning a Master’s in Business Management from Central Michigan University. Besides earning post-secondary degrees, Kent served in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1996. During that time, he served on multiple joint service assignments leading men and women in war and peace. Throughout his service, Kent received a variety of decorations including: Legion of Merit, Combat Action Ribbon and 8 other personal decorations. In 2014, Kent was elected to the West Virginia State Senate to serve the people of the 2nd Senatorial District. The district he was chosen to represent in Charleston is one of the largest and most rural in West Virginia containing parts of or all of the following counties: Marshall, Wetzel, Gilmer, Marion, Monongalia, Tyler, Doddridge, Calhoun, and Ritchie. Kent and his wife Shirley still live on their farm in western Monongalia County. Together, they have three sons and five grandchildren. Kent is a member of the Monongalia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and is a member of the Monongalia County Livestock Association.