Jeff Ishee returns to host WVPT’s Virginia Farming

After a five-year hiatus, Shenandoah Valley broadcasting veteran Jeff Ishee returns to his role as host of WVPT’s agriculture news program Virginia Farming.

Virginia Farming is currently WVPT”s longest running local program. The show premiered in the spring of 2003 with Jeff Ishee as Host and Producer.  In 2011, Jeff resigned from the show to be The Rockingham County Fairground’s General Manager.  This fall Jeff returns to the show with newfound enthusiasm. “It is a great honor and pleasure for me to be able to return to Virginia Farming,” said Ishee. “I am passionate about serving farm families and the agriculture industry. It allows me meet some very interesting people and the opportunity to keep our audience informed about rural and agricultural issues.”

Ishee spent the last five years as General Manager of the Rockingham County Fair, a non-profit organization widely known as one of the leading agricultural Fairs in North America. “My time with the Fair was priceless,” said Ishee. “We made great progress in demonstrating to the public the importance of farming and agriculture through various projects and events at the fairgrounds.”

Viewers should expect to see changes in Virginia Farming regarding content and delivery. “We hope to take advantage of new technologies to reach our audience in a more efficient manner,” said Ishee.  Jeff will be joining current Virginia Farming host and producer Amy Roscher on the show, and she could not be happier. “I’m very excited to be able to take this show to the next level. With Jeff back on board, we will be able to cover even more news and information that affects farmers AND consumers.”

Virginia Farming is the Commonwealth’s only locally produced weekly-televised farming news series. Topics include: poultry, beef, dairy, crops, wine, seafood, timber, aquaculture, and farm safety as well as a myriad of other topics that affect farmers and consumers on a daily basis.  Virginia Farming has been recognized with four top journalism awards from the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF) for outstanding farm news communication, as well as a myriad of accolades and recognitions from industry experts.

Since 1968, WVPT has been the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia’s public television station. But that’s just scratching the surface. WVPT is also a classroom, a concert hall, a conference center, a college, and a library of the airwaves. WVPT is one of the most accessible educational institutions in the region, utilizing the power of broadcasting to help carry out its mission of education, culture, and citizenship for everyone within its reach.