Jefferson County Agriculture & Natural Resources
Abundant with Agricultural Diversity
Jefferson County is home to farmers that produce grains, livestock, fruit, vegetables, and everything in between. Agriculture here is diverse thanks to good land, nearby markets, and a rich history of agriculture production. No matter the size of the operation, what is produced, or years of experience, Jefferson County Extension is your local connection to help you put knowledge to work.
Jefferson County Profile, 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture
- Population: 55,713
- Number of Farms: 607
- Land in Farms: 66,113 acres
- Market Value of Products Sold: $28,654,000
- Top Commodities: milk, grains, corn, wheat
Buying Local
The entire Eastern Panhandle offers a wide variety of ways to source local food to feed your family. Refer to our farm guide for an updated list of farms in Berkeley, Morgan, and Jefferson counties that sell direct to consumer, as well as area farmers markets and their days and hours of operation.
If you own a farm and wish to be included in this list, contact the Jefferson County office.
Download a printable Eastern Panhandle Farm Guide
Jefferson County Ag News
Gardening 101 Series
This series is designed to equip new and novice gardeners with the tools and knowledge to start their own gardens. Grow your green thumb this spring by taking part in the in person option to get all the basics, or special interest topics virtually. Sessions are taught by WVU Extension Master Gardeners, Extension Agents, and other industry experts.
In Person: Day 1, Saturday, March 4 - The Basics
Preregistration is required at Gardening 101 or by calling the Jefferson County Extension Office at 304-728-7413.
Grazing For Profitability
Join us at the Kearneysville Tree Fruit Research Center on March 10 at 6:30 p.m. for an Educational Dinner Meeting.
This meeting will feature Ben Goff, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, who will be presenting Grazing for Profitability.
Farm Financial Analysis
Join us on January 13, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. for an Educational Dinner Meeting at the Kearneysville Tree Fruit Research Center.
This meeting will feature Brian Wickline, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent. The presentation will focus on Farm Financial Analysis.
Successful Small Farms Class
This class series will help map how to start a small farm - from pencil to plow. Sessions will center on local agencies and the services they offer, how to make decision on what to grow and sell, keeping good records for your business.
February sessions will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Jefferson County Extension Office. Cost is $15 and includes all course materials. Register online.
Agriculture News for Jefferson County
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:
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.
Making Quality Hay - Mountaineer FarmTalk
Join us and our special guests every Friday at 10 a.m., for Mountaineer Farm Talk! Learn, share, laugh and enjoy a cup of cowboy coffee (or herbal tea for non-coffee drinkers). We encourage audience participation so have your questions ready.
https://wvu.zoom.us/j/98991307779
Meeting ID: 989 9130 7779O or call 888-475-4499 and 877-853-5257 US
Toll-free.
Featured next on Mountaineer FarmTalk:
Lawn, Gardening & Pests News for Jefferson County
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.
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.
AgAlert! Herbicide Contaminated Compost
Compost has traditionally been used by growers not only for supplying nutrients to the soil and plant but also due to its multiple beneficial attributes, such as balancing pH, enhancing water holding capacity, and boosting soil structure and beneficial microbial populations to improve overall soil quality for plant growth and development. Compost can hold nutrients for a longer time and deliver to plants when needed. Nutrients found in compost are released slowly as the compost decomposes, reducing nutrient loss through prevention of off-site movement. Despite all these benefits, herbicide contaminated composts can do lots of harm to plants, especially to those belonging to the family Solanaceae, which includes tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Plant distortion due to growth regulator type herbicide is shown in Figure 1.
Natural Resources News for Jefferson County
Register for White Oak in West Virginia Webinar
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
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