Henderson Farms of Wetzel County is the 2026 Farming Heritage Award Recipient, sponsored by the West Virginia Farm Bureau and the State Fair of West Virginia. This award is reserved for families who embody the very spirit of rural living—families who contribute to their communities, serve as role models, uphold agricultural excellence, and preserve the land entrusted to them. Henderson Farms stands as a shining example of all these qualities and more. The Henderson story begins in 1918, when Daniel Henderson and his wife Rachel settled on 125 acres of ridge‑top land in eastern Wetzel County. With determination and vision, Daniel laid the foundation for a farm that would grow not only in acreage, but in purpose and impact. His son, Paul Henderson, and Paul’s wife Maxine, expanded the operation as land became available, strengthening the farm’s future. Their son, Howard Henderson, continued that tradition of growth with his wife Linda, ushering the farm into its third generation. Today, the fourth generation carries the torch. Annaliese Henderson Yost and her husband Clinton have added acreage of their own in nearby Greene County, Pennsylvania, bringing the total holdings of this remarkable farming family to 1,374 acres. Annaliese manages the farm’s primary sheep operation and is raising the fifth generation—three young daughters already eager to help in the barn and soon to enter the show ring. Howard and Linda’s second daughter, Casandra, now married to Jacob Rabel, contributes her own chapter to the family legacy. A teacher in Doddridge County, she and Jacob operate a small farm of their own, raising Katahdin sheep and continuing the agricultural tradition through education and example. Their third daughter, Katherine, who holds degrees in Psychology and Sports Psychology, resides in Morgantown with her husband Logan, helping on the farm whenever needed. Across these generations, Henderson Farms has grown into a diversified and thriving agricultural enterprise. Today, the farm maintains 50–60 head of Angus cattle, a 100‑head sheep flock including Katahdin, North Country, and Hampshire Cross club lambs, along with swine, laying hens, hay production, and select‑cut timber. Their livestock supports local farmer’s markets, private sales, and youth livestock shows. Nearly 200 acres of hay are harvested annually to sustain their herds. But the Henderson legacy extends far beyond the farm gate. For decades, Howard and Linda Henderson have devoted their lives to teaching, mentoring, and strengthening American agriculture. Howard, a proud WVU graduate, served as a Vocational Agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at Valley High School for 34 years, shaping countless young lives. He developed a nationally used Agriscience PowerPoint textbook, earned the Honorary American Degree, was named Teacher of the Year in 1998, and received the Layle Lawrence Honorary Mountaineer Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the West Virginia FFA Foundation and on the Parish Public Relations Committee for the Hundred United Methodist Church. Howard and Linda have been pillars of Wetzel County 4‑H, active participants in the Wetzel County Farmer’s Market, and dedicated leaders within the WV Farm Bureau—where Howard now serves as President. They established the Paul Henderson Memorial Scholarship, awarding up to $10,000 annually to local youth pursuing agricultural careers. Their generosity extends to the broader community as well. Each year, they donate hundreds of pounds of sausage, ground beef, eggs, and other farm products to their local food pantry, ensuring that families in need are supported by the fruits of their labor. The Henderson family has also invested deeply in the stewardship of their land—installing nearly 15,000 feet of new fencing in the past two years, developing 22 springs, building water trough waste facilities, and practicing responsible rotational grazing. Yet perhaps the most enduring contribution of Henderson Farms is not measured in acres, livestock, or awards. It is measured in values—faith, knowledge, wisdom, and a commitment to passing these gifts from one generation to the next. Every member of this family has embraced that responsibility, ensuring that the heritage of Henderson Farms remains strong, vibrant, and rooted in purpose. We honor not just a farm, but a family. A family whose dedication to agriculture, education, community, and tradition reflects the very best of West Virginia. A family whose story reminds us that farming is more than work—it is legacy, love, and a promise to the future. May their example continue to inspire us all.