Hancock County Agriculture & Natural Resources

Hancock County Lawn, Gardening & Pests News

Are you a home gardener? Lett-uce see your work by entering the first annual Hancock County Home Gardening Contest!

Here’s how to enter the Hancock County Garden Contest:

Master Gardener Program

This Month in the Garden Calendar

Candy Roaster – the Impressive Winter Squash

The Candy Roaster, also referred to as a Permelon or Pink Banana, is a winter squash that remains a staple in many Appalachian gardens. This heirloom is part of the Cucurbita maxima family and has a history as impressive as its flavor. Candy Roasters were cultivated by the Cherokee people in the 1800s, who in turn shared their seeds with those who settled in Appalachia.  

The Candy Roaster comes in multiple varieties, hence the multiple names. Candy Roasters cross pollinate easily, leading to more than 40 known varieties and several hybrids that carry the Candy Roaster name. This winter squash can grow in a tubular, round, teardrop or squat shape. Depending on the variety, the harvested crop may come in pink, blue or gray.  

More from the Garden Calendar

Lawn, Gardening & Pests News for Hancock County

Join the Winter/Spring 2025 Master Gardener Training

WVU Extension Master Gardener training, which used to be offered through in-person courses organized by WVU Extension offices around the state, will once again be available online via Zoom sessions. 

WVU Extension will continue offering online Master Gardener training classes for late winter/spring 2025 term, beginning on January 9 through May 15. Classes will be held every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. 

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AgAlert! Boxwood Blight

Boxwood blight is a fungal disease that affects one of West Virginia's most popular landscape shrubs.

Boxwood blights are a fungal disease that can be fatal if no measures are taken to manage the disease at the early stage of infection and symptom appearance. There are two different fungal pathogens involved with blights – Volutella buxi  and Calonectria pseudonaviculata.

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Join the Winter/Spring 2024 Master Gardener Training

WVU Extension Master Gardener training, which used to be offered through in-person courses organized by WVU Extension offices around the state, will once again be available online via Zoom sessions. 

WVU Extension will continue offering online Master Gardener training classes for late winter/spring 2024 term, beginning on January 11 through May 2. Classes will be held every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. 

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Weirton Farmers Market

Baked goods and fresh produce, locally grown by the farmers that sell it. That’s what you’ll experience at the Weirton Farmers Market. All produce is grown within 50 miles of the market location and is often picked that very morning, coming straight from the garden to you! You’re sure to find everything you want for healthier living while supporting the local growers of our community.

Another plus, marketers love talking about the food they produce and will be happy to share with you their favorite ways of preparing whatever you’re buying. Just try that at a big, impersonal store! Fresh air and sunshine, plus a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere are some of the reasons people look forward to our open-air market each year.

The Weirton Farmers Market is located in the Goodwill Parking Lot at 306-308 Penco Road. There will be one market day per week, Monday from 3 – 6 p.m., starting July 10 and running through October 30. After stocking up on garden-fresh produce, don't forget to visit our baked goods vendors to pick up dessert!

Farmers Market Vendors are required to participate in training courses. These training courses are available throughout the northern panhandle counties, as well as one training session being offered at WVU in Morgantown. Training includes farm and harvesting safety, West Virginia Department of Agriculture special programs, high tunnels and extending the season, value-added crops, marketing and advertising, customer service and much more.

The Market Vendors would like to thank all the patrons of the Weirton Farmers Markets. Your support is very much appreciated!

Hancock Agriculture News

Contact the Hancock County Office to learn about local agriculture opportunities.

Agriculture News for Hancock County

Upcoming EPA changes and how they will affect pesticide use in agriculture

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) governs the registration, distribution, sale and use of pesticides in the U.S. FIFRA gives to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate pesticide enforcement. However, the EPA must meet obligations under other acts, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (Figure 1). 

The ESA is overseen by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The ESA establishes protections for fish, wildlife and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered and provides for adding and removing species from the list of threatened and endangered species, and preparing and implementing plans for their recovery. The ESA also provides for interagency cooperation and for issuing permits for otherwise prohibited activities, provides for cooperation with states and implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. 

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Lease Recommendations for Land Owner & Tenants

Ben Goff, WVU Extension Agent in Mason and Putnam counties, offers recommendations for landowners and tenants who want to prepare for the upcoming farming season and work to minimize their respective risks.

Goff covers a variety of tips for farmers and landowners regarding farm leases, including:

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Register for 2021 Pasture Management Certificate Training

The Pasture Management Certificate Training is offered as part of Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College Agricultural Innovation Workforce Trainings & Certifications. 

Instructed by Kevin Shaffer, Ed Rayburn and Ben Goff from WVU Extension, this certification will teach farmers how they can improve sustainability to their operation by improving their pasture management so there is more available forage year-round. 

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Natural Resources