Ritchie County Agriculture & Natural Resources

This Month in the Garden Calendar

Organic Matter Maintenance for Thriving Soil

Soil organic matter consists of the remains of plants and animals in varying stages of decomposition. Organic matter can fall into one of three types: plant residues and living microbial biomass; active organic matter, otherwise known as detritus; or stable soil organic matter, otherwise known as humus. The living microbial biomass and detritus contribute to the fertility of the soil and the release of nutrients from decomposition. Humus is the end result of decomposition and is considered stable organic matter. This contributes to the structure, tillage, cation exchange capacity and dark color of the soil. 

Benefits of maintaining high stable organic matter include physical benefits, such as reducing runoff, easier tillage and increased water holding capacity; chemical benefits, such as increased cation exchange capacity, accelerated mineral availability and increased buffering capacity; and biological benefits, such as increased nutrients for living organisms in the soil and enhanced biodiversity.  

More from the Garden Calendar

Master Gardeners

The Master Gardener program and training are conducted by West Virginia University Extension through county Extension offices. The training provides gardeners with the opportunity to improve their horticultural knowledge and skills and then share their experience with the public through organized volunteer activities. The program topics covered include: botany, plant problem diagnosis, soils, ornamentals, pest management, fruits, vegetables, and plant propagation. Contact us for class availability and schedule.

Agriculture News for Ritchie County

2025 Agriculture Dinner Meeting Series

Each winter, WVU Extension brings education, know-how and research right to your community through a series of educational dinner meetings. 

Through these dinner meetings, participants have the opportunity to learn from WVU Extension specialists and industry experts about relevant topics to help you improve your own agricultural operations.

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:

Ritchie County Agriculture News

2018 Regional Calf Sale

Ritchie County Cooperative Marketing Association will host the 2018 Regional Calf Sale, at the Ritchie County Co-Op Barn, located on Bunnell's Run, Harrisville.

New consignors are welcome. There will be a $1 per head cattlemen fee.

Read 2018 Regional Calf Sale

Harrisville Regional Feeder Calf Sale to be held October 6

The Harrisville Regional Feeder Calf Sale will be held Friday, October 6, 2018 beginning at 9 a.m., at the Ritchie County Cooperative Marketing Association Sale Barn in Harrisville.

Anyone wanting to help with the sale should contact Floyd Mahaney, Sale Manager at 304-643-2543. Media inquiries about the sale should be directed to Richard Gorrell, Ritchie County Cooperative Marketing Association President at 304-684-3753. 

The Harrisville Regional Feeder Calf Sale is sponsored by the Ritchie County Cooperative Marketing Association, Inc. in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, the WVU Extension Service, and WV Cattlemen's Association.

Read Harrisville Regional Feeder Calf Sale to be held October 6

Ritchie County Farmers Market Open May Through October

The farmers market is located at the  Harrisville Municipal Building parking area.

Anyone interested in becoming a vendor at the Farmers Market should contact the WVU Extension Service Ritchie County Office by calling 304-643-5200.

Read Ritchie County Farmers Market Open May Through October

Natural Resources News for Ritchie 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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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).
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