THE REAL AGRICULTURE CANDIDATE.
Farmer. Cattleman. Conservative Republican.
“Agriculture isn’t just what I do. It’s how I’ve lived my life. I believe the people leading West Virginia agriculture should understand what our farmers face because they’ve faced it themselves.”
For Nathanael Mason, agriculture isn’t a political talking point. It’s been a part of his life for as long as he can remember.
A fifth-generation West Virginian, Nathanael grew up on his family’s farm and started working cattle as a boy. His father served as a WVU Agricultural Extension Agent, and Nathanael learned early that farming requires hard work, responsibility, perseverance, and a willingness to get the job done.
Those lessons never left him.
Nathanael went on to earn degrees in chemistry and biology from Glenville State University, but his heart remained on the farm. Alongside his brother, Nathanael helped grow their family operation from roughly 100 head of cattle when he was a boy into one of West Virginia’s largest cattle operations.
Today, Nathanael is the owner of Foggy Dale Farms and Foggy Dale Lumber and manages a diverse cattle operation that includes cow-calf production, backgrounding, yearling cattle, finishing, and retail beef.
He knows firsthand what West Virginia producers face: unpredictable weather, changing markets, rising input costs, labor shortages, government regulations, animal health concerns, and the constant challenge of keeping a family farm profitable.
But Nathanael’s commitment to agriculture extends far beyond his own farm.
He serves as Vice President of the West Virginia Cattlemen’s Association and has been actively involved with the Ritchie County Farm Bureau, the Ritchie County Farmers Market Association, the Ritchie County Youth Livestock Association, 4-H, FFA, and other efforts to strengthen agriculture and rural communities across West Virginia.
Now, Nathanael is running for Agriculture Commissioner to bring that lifetime of practical experience to Charleston—and make sure West Virginia farmers have a commissioner who understands their lives, listens to their concerns, and goes to work for them every day.
Knows Agriculture Because He’s Lived It.
Nathanael Mason believes the Agriculture Commissioner should be an advocate for the people who grow our food, care for our land, and keep West Virginia agriculture moving forward.
Government works best when leaders listen to the people they serve.
As Agriculture Commissioner, Nathanael won’t lead from behind a desk. He’ll travel the state, meet with farmers and producers, listen to their challenges, and make sure the Department of Agriculture is responsive to the people it exists to serve.
Nathanael has spent his life in agriculture. He understands that decisions made in Charleston have real consequences on farms across West Virginia—and he’ll make sure farmers have a voice.
Farmers already deal with enough uncertainty without government adding unnecessary costs, paperwork, and red tape.
Nathanael supports common-sense regulations that protect consumers, animal health, and our food supply while working to eliminate unnecessary burdens that make it harder for West Virginia farmers to succeed.
As Commissioner, he’ll bring a producer’s perspective to the Department and look for opportunities to streamline regulations, improve efficiency, and make government work better for the people it serves.
West Virginia may never compete with the massive agricultural operations of the Midwest—but Nathanael believes we don’t have to.
Our state has tremendous agricultural assets, from productive pastureland and quality livestock to local producers and a growing demand for food raised closer to home.
Nathanael will work to promote West Virginia-grown products, strengthen local food systems, expand markets for our farmers, and pursue new opportunities that allow producers to add value to what they raise here at home.
Growing agriculture means stronger family farms, more economic activity in rural communities, and more West Virginia products reaching West Virginia consumers and markets beyond our borders.
Family farms are businesses—but they’re also something more. They’re land, livelihoods, traditions, and legacies handed from one generation to the next.
Nathanael knows because his family has lived that story for five generations.
As Agriculture Commissioner, he’ll stand up for farmers and landowners, protect private property, and fight policies that make it harder for the next generation to stay on the farm.
West Virginia agriculture has a future only if the next generation has the opportunity to build one here.
The Agriculture Commissioner must do more than manage a department. The Commissioner should be a strong voice for agriculture when decisions affecting farmers are being made.
Nathanael will work to build productive relationships with legislators, agricultural organizations, producers, and other stakeholders so West Virginia agriculture has a seat at the table.
That means supporting good policy, standing against proposals that hurt farmers, and bringing people together to get results for agriculture.
A strong agricultural economy depends on the trust of the people who buy what West Virginia producers raise and grow.
The Department of Agriculture has important responsibilities involving food safety, meat inspection, animal health, testing, and other protections for consumers.
Nathanael believes we can be both pro-farmer and pro-consumer.
As Commissioner, he’ll work to protect the integrity and safety of our food supply while promoting local agriculture and helping connect more West Virginia consumers with the farmers who feed them.
Nathanael Mason has spent his life working the land, raising cattle, building a business, and advocating for agriculture.
Now he’s ready to put that experience to work for all of West Virginia.
