Submitted photo At left, Carole Daniels of Shady Grove Botanicals displays the 2025 Women in Agriculture Award she was presented at the West Virginia State Fair, alongside West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt.

CHARLESTON — A Randolph County woman has been awarded a 2025 Women in Agriculture Award from the state of West Virginia.

During this year’s 100th annual State Fair of West Virginia, Carole Daniels was recognized during a ceremony for the six state-wide recipients.

Each year, the state Department of Agriculture honors outstanding women who have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry with the awards.

Daniels and her husband Ed own and operate Shady Grove Botanicals, and have been practicing sustainable forest farming since the 1990s.

Their company’s focus is on cultivating at-risk native medicinal herbs, including ginseng.

In 2018, Carole and Ed began teaching youth how to grow medicinal herbs using organic, sustainable practices and vegetable gardening in the curriculum.

In 2021, they launched their non-profit organization, Plant the Seed Project. This program has provided seeds, soil, tools, materials, raised garden beds and high tunnels to area schools.

Carole Daniels offered advice to new farmers, saying, “For anyone wanting to begin forest farming, I’ll share seven pieces of advice: Do your research; grow the plants that inspire you; diversify with companion plants; don’t plant everything in one area; grow organically; be patient, it’s a slow process; and most importantly, only invest what you can afford to lose!”

Other West Virginia winners of the 2025 Women in Agriculture Award include Jill Hauser of Greenbrier County; Cheryl Hott of Mineral County; Brandi Shultz of Jefferson County; Alexandria “Alex” Smith of Hardy County; and Melissa “Missy” Whetzel of Grant County.

Induction in the West Virginia Women in Agriculture is granted to those women who have made significant contributions to the agricultural industry. These contributions have aided in the establishment, development, advancement or improvement of West Virginia Agriculture, Forestry or Specialty Crops.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.