Kent Leonhardt, West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, to Deliver Inspiring Keynote Address at The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State!
Kent Leonhardt is a dedicated public servant and experienced farmer who has been serving the State of West Virginia since 2014. After being elected to the West Virginia State Senate representing the 2nd Senatorial District, which encompassed several rural counties, Kent went on to be elected as the West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture in 2016, now serving his second term.
Kent’s passion for farming developed at a young age while serving in the United States Marine Corps. In 1982, he purchased an abandoned farm near Blacksville, WV, and together with his wife Shirley, revitalized it. For two decades, they raised sheep, cattle, and goats, as well as cultivated crops and sold hay when there was a surplus.
Kent’s education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Missouri, where he took courses in agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection. He also holds a Master’s in Business Management from Central