Wayne County Agriculture & Natural Resources

Lawn, Gardening & Pests

Master Gardener Program

For more information about the  Extension Master Gardener Program in Wayne County, please contact the Extension Office at  304-272-6839.

Lawn, Gardening & Pests News for Wayne County

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. 

Join the Spring 2023 Master Gardener Training

WVU Extension Master Gardener training, typically 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 the spring, beginning on March 2 through June 29. Classes will be held every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. 

AgAlert! Cucurbit Downy Mildew

Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) has now been found in Monongalia County, West Virginia, as well as neighboring states – Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland. For the latest information, visit the CDM regional map at https://cdm.ipmpipe.org/. 

Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) is a destructive disease that can affect most members of the gourd family or Cucurbitaceae, such as cucumber, cantaloupe, pumpkin, squash, watermelon and zucchini. However, cucumbers are the worst affected cucurbit that can be completely killed in two weeks from the onset of the disease. 

Symptoms of the disease may vary slightly from species to species, but in general, it causes angular chlorotic lesions on the foliage. These lesions appear angular because they are bound by leaf veins. During humid conditions, the lower surface of the leaf is covered with a downy, pale gray to blackish mildew. 

Agriculture

Practical economic strategies. Investments in local growers. Farming like our future depends on it. WVU Extension offers timely, research-based agriculture information you can put into practice.

Wayne County Cattlemen’s Association

The  Wayne County Cattleman’s Association meets the fourth Thursday for three months straight at 7 p.m. at the Extension Office, then takes three months off to farm. 

The current President is Eugene Parsons. For more information, please  email Eugene with the Wayne County Cattleman’s Association. 

Agriculture News for Wayne 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:

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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. 

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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:

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Wayne County Ag News

Inaugural Wayne County Youth Watermelon Growing Contest

For the first year ever, Wayne County youth from across the county can compete to grow the heaviest watermelon! Contest results will be announced on August 3, National Watermelon Day at the Wayne County Fair at Camden Park. The Wayne County Watermelon Growing. Contest is supported by WVU Extension-Wayne County office.

The Wayne County Watermelon Growing Contest offers the opportunity to exhibit knowledge and ability to cultivate and grow one or more watermelons over a regulated period of time. Growing the heaviest watermelon incorporates basic aptitude of measurement concepts. Preparation skills, research abilities, and patience in this field of agriculture and environmental science enhance the ability to excel in this competition. In addition to learning the basic fundamentals of growing and caring for watermelons, mathematical knowledge of space, depth, and irrigation will prepare participants for a successful harvest. Common problem solving, such as insect patrol, are essential elements gained throughout this experience. 

Awards will be presented at the Wayne County Fair on August 3, 2023 at 6 p.m.! 

Results from WV Beef Expo Grille Off Competition

Attention Wayne County: Your kids can grill!

On April 8, the Wayne County 4-H Livestock teams competed at the West Virginia Beef Expo in the NEW Grill-Off competition and the Stockman’s Contest. They fought through rain, wind and even hail during their contests. We couldn’t be more proud of these kids. Our Senior team, the Filet Minions, won the senior division with a Filet Mignon and scallops dish. Our Junior Team, Beef-Fil-A, won the Junior division with a fajita dish. 

To learn more about youth livestock contest and programs in Wayne County, call the WVU Extension Wayne County office at 304-272-6839. 

Sponsors Needed for Horse Shows

The Open Horse Show has been a long-standing tradition with the Wayne County Fair! 

However, the Open Horse Show relies on sponsorship to make this show a success! Please contact our office at 304-272-6839 for more information on how to donate and get involved! 

Natural Resources

Land you can take pride in. Nature you can appreciate. Keep wild and wonderful just that. WVU Extension has natural resources information from trusted experts.

Soil Testing in Wayne County

Assessing the condition of your garden or pasture is a critical step in maintaining soil condition and productivity. West Virginia University offers free soil analysis to residents.

You may download and complete the  Soil Test Form. This will allow you to submit your soil tests much quicker. You will need to supply your own bag (snack size ziploc, small sandwich, or other bag that can be tied or sealed) for this method. You only need to send about 1/2 cup of soil from your combined samples to be tested. You will be able to mail these in a regular envelope or a priority mailer (flat rate or standard) works well when sending multiple samples.

Mail soil samples to:

West Virginia University 
College of Agriculture and Forestry 
Soil Testing Laboratory 
Morgantown, WV 26506-6108

Once the tests are run the results are instantly sent via email to you and the Wayne County Extension Office. Use this video to  learn how to take a soil sample!

If you have any questions about soil testing in Wayne County, please call the Extension office at  304-272-6839.

Natural Resources News for Wayne County

Shiitake Workshops

Join us on May 26 or May 27 at 6 PM for an evening of learning how to grow your own shiitakes at home with Dr. Dave McGill, Forest Resources Extension Specialist. We are offering an evening workshop to learn how to cultivate shiitake mushrooms.

These gourmet mushrooms can be grown for personal use or as an enterprise. In this workshop, you will learn about mushrooms and how to inoculate logs. Workshop participants will be able to inoculate and take home a shiitake mushroom log. To reserve a space please complete the registration link  http://bit.ly/shiitakeworkshop2021. Contact Evan Wilson with any questions. 

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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

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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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