The Casto Cattle Farm in Jackson County has been selected as the 2025 Farming Heritage Award Recipient, sponsored by the West Virginia Farm Bureau and State Fair of West Virginia. The award was presented on August 14th at the State Fair of West Virginia and is presented annually to a family that has striven to maintain its rural lifestyle by contributing to the community, acting as role models, dedicating time to efficient agricultural production, and maintaining the upkeep of their farm through generations. In addition, it honors the history and importance of agriculture, as represented on the West Virginia State Seal.
The Casto family has been involved in farming on the Casto Cattle Farm for 118 years and five generations. The story of this farm had its beginnings in 1907 when Benjamin Casto, together with his wife, Bertha Fisher Casto, purchased the first of several tracts of land along Buffalo Lick Run that would eventually become the Casto Cattle Farm. In its early years, the Casto farm was the hub of the small community of Buffalo Lick. A one-room schoolhouse and church were located on the property, and family members taught school there. Ice cream socials and other events were held at the school and church, and during the depression years, the Casto family was able to provide room and board on the farm in exchange for labor.
In about 1943, Benjamin passed on 281 acres to his son, Wendell Casto, and his wife, Marie Harrison Casto. Marie started a 4-H club at the farm around 1955. The club members and families built a backstop and ballfield on the farm, and many softball games were played by their sons, Joe and Bill Casto. In 1950, Wendell and Marie Casto purchased another 215 acres, and by 1990, they had divided their land between Joe and Bill. Joe Casto bought 24 acres and his house in 1984. Another 70 acres was purchased in 2014, and the final 8 acres in 2015, for a total of 400 acres.
Joe Casto graduated from West Virginia University with an ag business degree in 1977. He began his 38-year career with Farm Credit of the Virginias in 1978 and started farming at that time. He maintains a herd of 75 primarily Angus beef cows and sells feeder calves each year with the Jackson County Calf Pool. Together with his brother, Bill Casto, and nephew, Mark Casto, they own approximately 1,200 acres of farm and forest land. Bill is a retired veterinarian, and his son Mark has eight high tunnels that he uses to raise tomatoes and other vegetables, which he sells in Charleston. He also raises 15 acres of pumpkins to sell each fall.
Joe has one daughter, Ann, who lives in a house on the farm with her three sons, Hunter, Hayden, and Hudson, and her husband, Kyle. One son, Caleb, lives in Charleston with his wife, Abby. His other son, Jake, lives in Charleston with his wife Rebekah and their daughter, Anna. Two grandsons recently showed goats at their county fair. My daughter and my two sons also showed livestock at the fair when they were in school. At this time, my children’s careers do not allow them to be involved in farming. However, they are committed to maintaining the farm and its ownership.
Joe retired from Farm Credit in 2016. Since that time, he has maintained the farm and stayed active with many agricultural-related organizations. Some of these include the Jackson County Farm Bureau, Western Conservation District County supervisor, Farm Service Agency County committee member, and the WV Beef Industry Council BOD. He was named Jackson County Conservation Farm of the Year twice during his farming career, as was his father, Wendell, and his nephew, Mark Casto, once.
Recently, a bridge on the road leading to their farm was dedicated in recognition of Joe’s father, Wendell’s, service in World War II. He was awarded two Bronze Stars.
Each summer for over 35 years, a community cookout has been held at the Casto Cattle Farm. This gathering is typically attended by 200 people, consisting of family, friends, and business associates. This gives them a chance to showcase life on the farm, eat well, and network with many wonderful people. These types of activities exemplify the values and daily practices associated with a farming lifestyle for the Casto family. They are committed to maintaining the farm responsibly to pass it on to the next generation.