Wayne County Agriculture & Natural Resources
Share this
Lawn, Gardening & Pests
Get a yard that feels and looks like home. Get a bountiful harvest. Grow your own and sow something beautiful. WVU Extension has lawn, gardening and pests information you can use.
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
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:
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.
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:
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.
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