Dry Beans as a Local Food Crop in West Virginia

Dry, edible beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a staple crop in many cultures. In Central Appalachia, beans are an important dietary source of protein and fiber. Dry beans can have a vining or bush growth habit. When planted as a pole bean, the vines must be trellised. Bush beans, however, can be planted without trellising. Dry beans have a diversity of seed colors including white, brown, black and mottled colors such as the cranberry or Italian ‘Stregonata’ heirloom beans. Many dry bean varieties are heirloom varieties in which the seed can be saved and used for succeeding years. ,Relative to many other types of vegetables, dry bean are low input crops, requiring less fertilizer and labor. The beans are either machine or hand-harvested and shelled. Once shelled, the beans are stored in a cool, dry environment and can be sold during the off-season months such as winter.