Mercer County Agriculture & Natural Resources

Lawn, Gardening & Pests

Master Gardener Program

For more information contact Jodi Richmond at the WVU Mercer County Extension Office at 304-425-3079.

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 Mercer 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. 

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. 

Agriculture

Agriculture News for Mercer 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. 

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. 

Mercer County Beekeepers

The Mercer County Beekeepers Association consists of over 75 beekeepers and supporters in southern West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. They have monthly educational meetings with speakers from throughout West Virginia and Virginia covering topics such as basic beekeeping, disease control, and hive management. These meetings are typically held the first Monday of each month.

Additionally, they offer summer workshops and a five week beginning beekeeper course in the winter or spring.

To join the Mercer County Beekeepers mailing list or email list, contact the WVU Extension Office at 304-425-3079 or email Jodi Richmond.

Mercer County Livestock Program

The Livestock Program consists of educational presentations and hands-on workshops offered to over 400 livestock producers in southern West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. There are typically 6-10 programs throughout the year including risk management dinner meetings, field days, and other programs. The local Mercer County Extension office coordinates producer registration for special livestock sales with several area markets. We also provide service to the Mercer County Livestock Protective Association and the Mercer County Wool Pool.

Area Special Livestock Sales

Greenbrier Valley – graded sale Friday’s 2 p.m. 304-647-5833
Dublin – all breed steer and heifer Friday’s 2:30 p.m. 540-674-5311
Narrows- all breed steer and heifer Saturday’s 2 p.m. 540-726-2152

Mercer County Livestock Protective Association

For an annual dues of $10 area producers receive protection in the event of theft or vandalism on their property by providing a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators. The Association meets annually in the spring.

Mercer County Wool Pool

This program provides a group shearing event for area sheep producers and a later wool collection. The wool is sold through the Tazewell County Wool Pool.

If you are interested in any of these livestock programs contact the Mercer County WVU Extension Office at 304-425-3079 or email Jodi Rchmond.

Mercer County Tailgate Produce Market

The “Tailgate Market” exists to help local producers market their products and encourage the community to use fresh, locally grown products as much as possible. The market is open to any Mercer County resident that produces their own fruits, vegetables, plants, honey, eggs, herbs, jams/jellies, and baked goods.

The market sets up in the Mercer County Technical Education Center parking lot on Stafford Drive on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. until about noon (or whenever they sell out). The market also accepts WVDA/USDA Senior and WIC Food Voucher.

Market Location

Fnd the market at the Mercer County Technical Education Center (Vo-Tech) parking lot on Stafford Drive, Princeton.

Senior Food Vouchers

Area seniors on a fixed/low income are eligible to receive $24 food voucher booklets which can be redeemed through most sellers at the Mercer County Tailgate Produce Market. Eligible items include any fresh fruits or vegetables and herbs. Vouchers are limited and are distributed in the summer (typically late June/early July) on a first-come first-served basis through the area senior centers.

Contact the Mercer County Commission on Aging at 403-425-7111 or Community Action of Southeast West Virginia at 304-327-3506 to see if you qualify and find out when vouchers are distributed.

WIC Food Vouchers

Mercer County does not currently offer these vouchers to eligible WIC participants, but most Tailgate Market vendors accept WIC food vouchers from other counties for fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you are interested in any of these programs contact the WVU Mercer County Extension Office at 304-425-3079 or email Jodi Richmond.

Natural Resources

Natural Resources News for Mercer 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

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