By many national measures, West Virginia barely registers as an agriculture state. But the four men running for state commissioner of agriculture say the admittedly low-profile statewide office plays a crucial role.

Gus Douglass is seeking his 11th four-year term as commissioner. He is being challenged in Tuesday's primary by Democrat Wayne Casto.

Republicans Lawrence Beckerle and Michael Teets also hope to infuse new blood at the top of the agency.

Douglass has been in agriculture for almost all of his 81 years. Casto is a retired 14-year state Department of Agriculture employee.

Teets is a cattle and turkey farmer from Lost River and Beckerle is a forester and farmer with lengthy experience reclaiming surface mines.

All four candidates want better markets for the state's small farms. Douglass wants to replicate Charleston's Capital Market in at least four locations throughout the state.

The other candidates want to establish a co-op.