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Jackson County Agriculture & Natural Resources

Lawn, Gardening & Pests

Get a yard that feels and looks like home. Get a bountiful harvest. Grow your own and sow something beautiful. WVU Extension has lawn, gardening and pests information you can use.

This Month in the Garden Calendar

Candy Roaster – the Impressive Winter Squash

Large yellow squash lying in dirt next to vine.

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 Jackson County

Join the Winter/Spring 2025 Master Gardener Training

female planting in a garden

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. 


AgAlert! Boxwood Blight

Boxwood blight on a shrub.

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.


Join the Winter/Spring 2024 Master Gardener Training

female planting in a garden

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. 


Agriculture

Practical economic strategies. Investments in local growers. Farming like our future depends on it. WVU Extension offers timely, research-based agriculture information you can put into practice.

Agriculture News for Jackson 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. 

Org chart that depicts Congress at the top, followed by branches that lead to FIFRA then EPA, and ESA then FWS and NMPS.

Lease Recommendations for Land Owner & Tenants

Ben Goff.

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:


Mid-Ohio Valley Fall 2021 Beef Quality Assurance Trainings

A group of cattle farmers learning about livestock in a classroom setting.

The fall 2021 WVU Extension BQA trainings will focus on topics including:


Events of Interest to Jackson County

No events available at this time.

Ag News of Interest to Jackson County

Mid-Ohio Valley Fall 2021 Beef Quality Assurance Trainings

A group of cattle farmers learning about livestock in a classroom setting.

The fall 2021 WVU Extension BQA trainings will focus on topics including:

Mid-Ohio Valley Farm Producers Invited to AgZoom Webinars

Bell peppers.

West Virginia producers, gardeners and service providers are invited to join other Mid-Ohio Valley producers for  AgZoom Thursdays at 6 p.m. This series uses a virtual platform known as Zoom to deliver educational content for producers and pesticide applicator credits as well as other continuing education credits (CEUs). 

Pesticide Recertification

All West Virginia Licensed Private Pesticide Applicators are required to obtain 10 credit hours of training over each three year period.

The pesticide recertification training allows you to receive five hours of credit toward this requirement. If you attend two of these trainings over the three year period you will have met the requirements for training to maintain your license.

If you are unable to attend this training and need the credits, or have other questions concerning pesticides, please contact your local county Extension office.


Jackson County Junior Fair

During the weeks leading up to the fair, flyers can be picked up at many local businesses who support the fair. The Jackson County Junior Fair flyer includes detailed information for daily events and more! Remember to pick yours up and visit this year’s Jackson County Junior Fair!

Visit the Jackson County Jr Fair Website

Junior Fair Events

No events available at this time.


Natural Resources

Land you can take pride in. Nature you can appreciate. Keep wild and wonderful just that. WVU Extension has natural resources information from trusted experts.

Natural Resources News for Jackson County

Register for White Oak in West Virginia Webinar

Hand holding up a leaf from a white oak tree. The leaf is red from fall coloring.

Join us as we dive into the opportunities and challenges related to sustaining and harvesting white oak trees in West Virginia.

Tuesday, February 2


Register for West Virginia Woodland Stewards Seminar

Timber forest.

Join us as we dive into a variety of educational topics and learn more about how we can be better stewards of West Virginia's woodlands.

Tuesday, February 9