Roane County Agriculture & Natural Resources

Roane County Master Gardeners

Roane County has an active Master Gardener program. The Roane County Master Gardeners Association has devoted many hours to developing community garden projects, beautifying local areas with landscaping projects, and educating community members to promote best practices with gardening. Master Gardener training is conducted several times a year by Roane County Extension Agent,  Brandy Brabham. For more information on Master Gardener classes, contact Brandy Brabham at  304-927-0975.

This Month in the Garden Calendar

Cultivating Rich and Unique Bloody Butcher Corn

When thinking of heirloom field corn that holds a significant place in our state’s history, West Virginians cannot help but mention Bloody Butcher Corn, which dates back to the early 1800s.  

While most white and yellow corn varieties are harvested at a rate of 190 to 250 bushels per acre, the open pollinated Bloody Butcher is maximized at 100 bushels per acre. The stalks can grow to heights of 12 feet or taller, so wind and hard rains can knock the stalks down easily. Another reason is the corn’s days to maturity reach upward of 100 days. The corn will always produce two ears per stalk that are usually 10 to 12 inches in length.  

More from the Garden Calendar

Lawn, Gardening & Pests News for Roane 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

Beekeepers

Roane County is a member of the  West Central Beekeepers Association. The WCBA works to educate beekeepers in best practices and promote beekeeping in west central West Virginia. The WCBA meets the fourth Saturday of each month and alternates its meeting location between Roane and Calhoun counties.  For more information about the West Central Beekeepers Association, contact President Dale Cunningham at  304-354-6916 or Secretary Sharon Christ at  304-927-1775.

Farm to School

Farm to School is broadly defined as a program that connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, and supporting local and regional farmers. Farm to school programs can include: buying and featuring farm fresh foods in classrooms and cafeterias, adopting nutrition and agriculture-based curriculum, and providing experiential learning opportunities through farm visits, gardening and recycling programs. In West Virginia, community-minded organizations are working together to develop systems to help growers raise and sell local agricultural products to county schools.

Agriculture Field Day

The Agriculture Field Day is an annual event that brings all Roane County third graders together for a day-long educational program at a local, working farm. Youth participants learn about the daily farm operation while interacting with a variety of farm animals such as cattle, swine, sheep, goats, miniature donkeys, and chickens. Youth also learn about farm, tractor, and ATV safety and soil and water conservation. The project is a collaborative effort between the WVU Roane County Extension Service, local schools, the Roane County FFA chapter and the Roane County Farm Bureau.

Mid-Ohio Valley Growers Association

The Mid-Ohio Valley Growers Association is a network of farmers and producers from a seven-county region in West Virginia, including, but not limited to, Calhoun, Clay, Jackson, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood Counties. This Association is working together with area service providers including the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department and the WVU Extension Service, to sustain agriculture in the region, and get fresh, high-nutrient produce into the hands of Mid-Ohio Valley residents.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department and WVU Extension are natural partners in this endeavor. Both organizations believe in preventative health, and in community residents, especially youth, having access to affordable, tasty, fresh produce as a key building block for health. This initiative also offers opportunities to promote a sense of community and economic development through agricultural marketing opportunities.