Cabell County Agriculture & Natural Resources
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Cabell County Ag News
Southern Syrup Research Symposium
Planned to bring researchers and producers together to discuss the state of our knowledge, research needs and opportunities related to syrup production in the Central Appalachian Region. Whether you fire up your evaporator to make Maple, Walnut, Birch, Sycamore, or Sorghum syrup, the Symposium will allow you the chance to interact with, share your experiences, and learn.
Friday – The Science Behind the Sweetness - research scientists will have the opportunity to present their work on sap and syrup production focused on the Central Appalachians.
Read Southern Syrup Research Symposium
Statewide Survey Released to Address Future of Agriculture in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s abundant land holds promise for agricultural prosperity for the state and its people. To ensure this valuable industry thrives for years to come, agribusiness owners, retailers and other stakeholders are being asked to give their input.
The “Growing West Virginia’s Agricultural Economy” survey will be available starting Monday, August 6. Anyone connected to agriculture is welcome to take the survey, including but not limited to farmers, processors, producers, distributors and retailers. The survey can be taken online at www.wvagadvisory.com through Monday, August 20. Paper surveys will be available at partner agency offices and at the State Fair of West Virginia. Three survey takers will be selected at random to win a registration to the Small Farm Conference, registration to the Women in Ag Conference, or a Farm Bureau membership.
Read Statewide Survey Released to Address Future of Agriculture in West Virginia
Master Gardener Program
We’re growing
The WVU Extension Master Gardener Program provides people interested in gardening with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills by taking part in Basic/Level 1 and Advanced/Level 2 training programs that provide in-depth training in various aspects of horticulture.
The program helps residents better understand horticultural and environmental issues
through community engagement in gardening and beautification projects at schools,
parks, public institutions, community organizations, and locations throughout the
state.
How do you join?
The first step is to see if your county offers the program. Many of those in West Virginia do, so even if yours doesn’t, a neighboring county may. Call your local WVU Extension Service Office for information and watch for meetings in your area.
Once you’ve found a program, you’ll get 40 hours of training during a 12-week program where you’ll learn about a variety of things including: botany, plant propagation, entomology, pesticides and pest management, plant disease, soil and fertilizers, turfgrass management, vegetable gardening, gardening equipment, tree fruits, small fruit, pruning, landscape design, woody ornamentals, indoor plants, herbaceous plants, garden animals and teaching methods.
From there, pass a test and complete 40 hours of initial volunteer work and you’ll have earned the right to call yourself a WVU Extension Master Gardener.
Soil Testing Program
Did You Test Your Soil?
If you didn’t get a soil test, your garden plan has omitted a vital step. It is best
to test soils in the fall, but it is never too late. Your vegetable garden might
produce higher yields if it were limed and fertilized properly. The only accurate
way to determine how much lime and/or fertilizer to apply is to have your soil
tested. The
WVU Soil Testing Laboratory still conducts tests for free.
Get more information on how to test your soil
Lawn, Gardening & Pests
Active Alerts in Cabell County
AgAlert! Threat of Corn Ear Mold in West Virginia
Above average rainfall and continued wet weather has slowed field corn dry-down and delayed harvest across the state this fall.
This situation has created several problems, including encouraging the growth of corn ear mold and reducing grain quality. In some cases, these types of mold may also pose a risk of mycotoxin contamination of the kernels, depending on what type of fungal growth dominates, and thereby, affecting the overall grade of the corn.
Read AgAlert! Threat of Corn Ear Mold in West Virginia
AgAlert! Cucurbit Downy Mildew
Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) is a destructive disease on most of the members
of the gourd family or Cucurbitaceae such as cucumber, cantaloupe, pumpkin, squash,
watermelon and zucchini. Cucumbers are the worst affected cucurbit that can be
completely killed in two weeks from the onset of the disease.
The disease-causing organism is spread by air current from south to north during
the growing season in most years. Optimum conditions for sporulation of the causal
agent (Pseudoperonospora cubensis), which is an obligate parasite (an organism that
can grow only as a parasite in association with its host plant and cannot be grown
in artificial culture media) are 59°F with 6-12 hours of moisture present (usually
in the form of morning dew or rain droplets on foliage).
CDM regional map is showing outbreak of the disease all around West Virginia, including some of the West Virginia counties, and this is the most critical time to take preventative measures against the disease.
Read AgAlert! Cucurbit Downy Mildew
AgAlert! Late Blight of Tomato & Potato
Late blight has been detected in Jefferson County, West Virginia. This is still early in the season, and many growers may have not even harvested yet.
Considering the rainy and humid weather forecast, both organic and conventional growers should take some preventative measures.
Read AgAlert! Late Blight of Tomato & Potato
Ag Alert! Fire Blight on Apple & Pear Trees
2018 is a bad year for fire blight on pome fruit (apple and pear) partly due to the odd combination of bloom time, temperature and rainfall. In a regular year, most bloom occurs while temperature still below 60° F (minimum temperature required for bacterial infection through flowers).
This year it was delayed but as soon as bloom occurred temperature crossed 60° F mark and rain followed. However, WVU Extension's disease forecast-based spray schedule helped commercial growers keeping disease pressure low. The disease is more widespread at home sites.
Read Ag Alert! Fire Blight on Apple & Pear Trees