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

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

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

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. 

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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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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.! 

Bulbous Buttercup - Weed of the Week

Announcing the WV Weed Free Straw and Forage Certification Program

The West Virginia Associated Crop Growers Inc. (WVACG) announces availability of a Weed Free Straw and Forage Certification for 2018. This new program offers West Virginia growers a chance to add value to straw and forage crops free of invasive, noxious weeds.

Many developers and land managers must use certified mulches as part of their soil erosion control program. Certification assures that invasive species are not being introduced to these remote sites.

The WVACG is the official seed certification agency for West Virginia, and now offers certification for Weed Free Straw and Forage producers. Working in conjunction with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, WVACG has been approved for certification by the North American Invasive Species Management Association, which assures uniform participation and consistent standards by states and provinces.

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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