Ritchie County Agriculture & Natural Resources
WVU Extension offers a variety of programs related to horticulture, agriculture and natural resources available for the residents of West Virginia. For a complete listing of all the information WVU Extension has for home gardeners, visit our lawns, gardens and pests section. While you're there, learn about the WVU Extension Master Gardener Program and how it benefits individuals and communities. Be sure to check out the latest from our popular WVU Extension Garden Calendar.
If you’re a producer,
whether with large-scale animals or vegetables for your local market, visit WVU Extension's farming section for more in-depth information about agriculture.
If you’re interested in learning about the all the things that make West Virginia wild and wonderful, visit our natural resources section.
This Month in the Garden Calendar
Varieties to Grow a Rainbow of Peppers in WV
Peppers are a staple in most gardens. While green peppers seem to be the most popular and abundant, most varieties start green and ripen to any number of colors — yellow, orange, red and purple, to name a few. The variety of a pepper will dictate its color and flavor.
All peppers contain antioxidants that support heart and eye health, in addition to anti-inflammatory properties. Color plays an important factor in the taste and nutrient quality of the vegetable. Green peppers, being less ripe, are slightly bitter in taste. This also explains why green peppers tend to be cheaper, since they are harvested sooner. When left to mature to a yellow, orange or red color, the vegetable grows sweeter and increases in the content of vitamins A and C.
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
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:
Mid-Ohio Valley Fall 2021 Beef Quality Assurance Trainings
The fall 2021 WVU Extension BQA trainings will focus on topics 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.
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.
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