4-H Project Exhibit Fair
The public is invited to this year's County 4-H Project Exhibit Fair at the McClinic Library Conference Room in Marlinton on Thursday, August 2, and Friday, August 3,ﾠ from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The 4-H exhibits will be on display and homemade ice cream will be served beginning at noon on Friday, August 3.ﾠ Make plans to come and share in what the 4-Hers are doing in our county.

4-H Leaders Meeting
All 4-H leaders are reminded that a 4-H Leaders Association Meeting will be held Friday, August 3, at 5 p.m. at the McClintic Library during the Project Exhibit Fair.

Pocahontas Producers Fall Sale Schedule for 2012

Saturday, August 11, 2 p.m. - Regular Sale
Saturday, September 8, 2 p.m. - Regular Sale
Friday, September 21, 7:30 p.m. - Yearling Cattle Sale
Saturday, September 22, 2 p.m. - Regular Sale
Friday, September 28, 7:30 p.m. - Steer Calf Sale
Friday, October 5, 7:30 p.m. - Heifer Calf Sale
Saturday, October 13, 2 p.m. - Regular Sale
Friday, October 26, 7: 30 p.m. - Clean-up Calf Sale
Saturday, October 27, 2 p.m. - Regular and Cow Sale
Saturday, November 10, 2 p.m. - Regular Sale
Saturday, December 8, 2 p.m. - Regular Sale
For more information please contact PPCA Manager Sherry Sullenberger at 540-499-2718 or the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

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4-H Project Exhibits Due
All 4-Hers are reminded that project exhibits are due at the McClinic Library Conference Room in Marlinton on Wednesday, August 1, between 8 and 11 a.m.

4-H Project Exhibit Fair
The public is invited to this year's County 4-H Project Exhibit Fair at the McClinic Library Conference Room in Marlinton on Thursday, August 2, and Friday, August 3,ﾠ from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The 4-H exhibits will be on display and homemade ice cream will be served beginning at noon on Friday, August 3.ﾠ Make plans to come and share in what the 4-Hers are doing in our county.

4-H Leaders Meeting
All 4-H leaders are reminded that a 4-H Leaders Association Meeting will be held Friday, August 3, at 5 p.m. at the McClintic Library during the Project Exhibit Fair.

Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Applications
The Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Committee will meet Monday,ﾠAugust 20,ﾠat 2 p.m. in the Extension Office.ﾠ Applications are due in the Extension Office byﾠAugust 1.ﾠ If you have any questions or need an application form, please call the office at 304-799-4852.

Structure and organization of U.S. cow/calf farms
Beef cow-calf production in the United States is widespread, occurring in every state. Nearly 765,000 farms, about 35 percent of the 2.2 million farms in the United States, had a beef cow inventory in 2007. Most of these were small, part-time operations. About a third of farms that raise beef animals had a beef cow inventory of less than 10 cows, more than half had fewer than 20 cows, and nearly 80 percent had fewer than 50 cows. In this study, Economic Research Service (ERS) uses data from USDA's 2008 Agricultural Resource Management Survey for U.S. beef cow-calf operations to examine the structure, costs, and characteristics of beef cow-calf producers. Many small operations are "rural residence farms" that specialize in beef cow-calf production, but their income from off-farm sources exceeds that from the farm. Most beef cow-calf production occurs on large farms, but cow-calf production is not the primary enterprise on many of these farms. Findings suggest that operators of beef cow-calf farms have a diverse set of goals for the cattle enterprise.
For complete report go to www.ers.usda.gov or receive a paper copy by calling 800-363-2068 (SOURCE: ERS USDA Economic Information Bulletin #73. William D. McBride and Kenneth Mathews, Jr.)

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Canner testing at Farmers Market

The WVU Extension Service will offer free pressure canner testing for canner lids with dial gauges at the Farmers Market in Marlinton on Saturday, July 21, from 10 to 11 a.m. In order to have your canners tested, bring only your canner lids with dial gauges.ﾠ Free educational materials on food preservation will also be available at this time.

Performance Tested Ram and Invitational Ewe Sale
The West Virginia Performance Tested Ram and Invitational Ewe Sale will be held Saturday, July 21, at the WVU Reymann Memorial Farm (two miles north of Wardensville on SR 259).ﾠ The educational program will begin at 9 a.m., a BBQ lamb lunch will be served at noon, and the sale will begin at 1 p.m.ﾠ The sale will consist of the top 24 Suffolk and Crossbred Rams tested, as well as 50 ewe lambs and fall lambing bred ewes.
For more information visit http://sheepandgoats.wvu.edu or call 304-257-4688.

Structure and organization of U.S. cow/calf farms
Beef cow-calf production in the United States is widespread, occurring in every state. Nearly 765,000 farms, about 35 percent of the 2.2 million farms in the United States, had a beef cow inventory in 2007. Most of these were small, part-time operations. About a third of farms that raise beef animals had a beef cow inventory of less than 10 cows, more than half had fewer than 20 cows, and nearly 80 percent had fewer than 50 cows. In this study, Economic Research Service (ERS) uses data from USDA's 2008 Agricultural Resource Management Survey for U.S. beef cow-calf operations to examine the structure, costs, and characteristics of beef cow-calf producers. Many small operations are "rural residence farms" that specialize in beef cow-calf production, but their income from off-farm sources exceeds that from the farm. Most beef cow-calf production occurs on large farms, but cow-calf production is not the primary enterprise on many of these farms. Findings suggest that operators of beef cow-calf farms have a diverse set of goals for the cattle enterprise.
For complete report go to www.ers.usda.gov or receive a paper copy by calling 800-363-2068 (SOURCE: ERS USDA Economic Information Bulletin #73. William D. McBride and Kenneth Mathews, Jr.)

Farmland Protection sign-ups announced
West Virginia State Conservationist Kevin Wickey of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service, (NRCS), has announced a second sign-up period for funding under Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). Applications need to be submitted by close of business on July 24 to be considered.
The FRPP is a voluntary program that helps farmers preserve their agricultural land. The program provides matching funds to state, or local governments, and non-governmental organizations with existing farmland protection programs. The funds are used to purchase conservation easements that limit non-agricultural uses of the land.
USDA provides up to 50 percent of the appraised fair market value of the conservation easement in the voluntary program. The landowner retains ownership and continues to use the land for agricultural purposes.
Landowners interested in protecting their land should contact their local NRCS office or Farmland Protection Board. Contact information for NRCS local offices can be found at www.wv.nrcs. usda.gov. Contact information for Farmland Protection Boards is at www.wvfarm landprotection.org.
For further information, contact Bill O'Donnell, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs at 304-284-7543 or bill.odonnell@ wv.usda.gov

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4-H Project Books
All 4-H project books and activity records are due to the WVU Extension Office by Friday, June 29th.

FFA/4-H ﾠHam and Bacon Project
If you are planning to participate in the 2013 Ham and Bacon Show and Sale contact WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852 before July 1.
The following rules apply to this project
1) Only one ham and one bacon will be sold per participant
2) Deadline for ownership of pig is August 1
3) Hogs will be butchered in October
4) Hams must weigh less than 38 pounds, green weight

Introducing Gardening 101
The WVU Extension Service has a new web-based series to help make your garden grow. Gardening 101 articles cover the basics involved with gardening - getting started, working with flowers and plants, growing fruits and vegetables, and creating useful and enjoyable outdoor spaces through landscape design.
Each article was written by a WVU Extension Service specialist or agent with the West Virginia grower in mind.
"You can enjoy home-grown vegetables even if a traditional garden isn't practical for you," said Larry Campbell, WVU Extension Service Harrison County agriculture agent. "Gardening systems like wide row, raised bed or square foot gardening are good alternatives to help overcome various challenges to successful gardening."
The Gardening 101 series can be useful for veteran gardeners, as well, with tips about insect identification and control, growing season extension, container gardening and dealing with weeds.
You can find all of this information - and much more - on the WVU Extension Service website at www.ext.wvu.edu under the Lawn and Garden tab.

Late Blight
Late blight was confirmed on Monday, June 4, on tomatoes and potatoes in Franklin and Blair County, Pennsylvania. According to an Extension report by Beth Gugino, assistant professor vegetable pathology at Penn State, there have also been several unconfirmed reports of late blight in commercial potato fields in central Pennsylvania.ﾠ The disease also has been reported on potato in New Jersey and Long Island, New York. ﾠ
To best protect crops, growers and county faculty members should visit usablight.org, which is a central portal for information on the disease. The website has information on the latest outbreaks and the crops involved. Information is also available on how to identify the disease and links to management recommendations
If you suspect the disease, please send a sample to the WVU Plant Diagnostic Clinic anr.ext.wvu.edu/pests/wvu_plant_diagnostic_clinic by using the express mail for confirmation and to generate further advisories. If the disease is detected anywhere in the state, and local forecast indicates cool and wet weather, it will be very important to be using a protectant fungicide program for at least your tomatoes and potatoes. Commercial fungicide recommendations for managing late blight can be found in the 2012 Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations Guide. Organic growers should be applying a regular copper-based fungicide program. For more information please contact the WVU Extension Office.

Blueberry Workshop
Tuesday, June 26, 6 p.m. at the
Pearl S. Buck Birthplace
Join us for an evening with Jim Minick, as he shares tips on raising blueberries, and reads from his 2010 prize-winning book "The Blueberry Years." Delicious blueberry treats will be available, as well.
ﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭ

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Wool Pool
The Pocahontas County Wool Pool will be held at the Pocahontas Producers Stockyards in Marlinton Wednesday, June 20, ﾠfrom 8 a.m.to noon. Black wool will not be accepted as there is no market for it. For more information call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Introducing Gardening 101
The WVU Extension Service has a new web-based series to help make your garden grow. Gardening 101 articles cover the basics involved with gardening - getting started, working with flowers and plants, growing fruits and vegetables, and creating useful and enjoyable outdoor spaces through landscape design.
Each article was written by a WVU Extension Service specialist or agent with the West Virginia grower in mind.
"You can enjoy home-grown vegetables even if a traditional garden isn't practical for you," said Larry Campbell, WVU Extension Service Harrison County agriculture agent. "Gardening systems like wide row, raised bed or square foot gardening are good alternatives to help overcome various challenges to successful gardening."
The Gardening 101 series can be useful for veteran gardeners, as well, with tips about insect identification and control, growing season extension, container gardening and dealing with weeds.
You can find all of this information - and much more - on the WVU Extension Service website at www.ext.wvu.edu under the Lawn and Garden tab.ﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭﾭ

Pocahontas Farmers Market Training
Training for vendors to accept senior food and nutrition and WIC vouchers will be held at the McClintic Library in Marlinton Thursday, June 7, at 6 p.m. For more information contact the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Wool Pool
The Pocahontas County Wool Pool will be held at the Pocahontas Producers Stockyards in Marlinton Wednesday, June 20, from 8 a.m. - noon.ﾠ They will not accept black wool as there is no market for it. For more information call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Pocahontas Producers Sale
Regular Sale - Saturday, June 9, 2 p.m.ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ
There will be no sale dates in July regular sales will continue in August.

Blueberry Workshop at Pearl S. Buck Birthplace
A Blueberry Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, June 26, at 6 p.m. at the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace in Hillsboro.
Relax for an evening with Jim Minick as he shares tips on raising blueberries, and reads from his 2010 prize-winning book, The Blueberry Years, and enjoy some delicious blueberry treats. The Blueberry Years captures the story of Minick's experience creating and operating one of the mid-Atlantic's first certified-organic, "pick-your-own blueberries" farms. For a decade, the author and his wife planted, pruned, and picked while also opening the field to hundreds of people who came to harvest berries. These pickers shared blueberry-flavored moonshine and sober religion, warm hugs and cool hats, and always bushels of stories.

Introducing Gardening 101
The WVU Extension Service has a new web-based series to help make your garden grow.ﾠ Gardening 101 articles cover the basics involved with gardening: getting started, working with flowers and plants, growing fruits and vegetables, and creating useful and enjoyable outdoor spaces through landscape design.
Each article was written by a WVU Extension Service specialist or agent with the West Virginia grower in mind.
"You can enjoy home-grown vegetables even if a traditional garden isn't practical for you," said Larry Campbell, WVU Extension Service Harrison County agriculture agent. "Gardening systems like wide row, raised bed or square foot gardening are good alternatives to help overcome various challenges to successful gardening."
The Gardening 101 series can be useful for veteran gardeners, as well, with tips about insect identification and control, growing season extension, container gardening and dealing with weeds.
You can find all of this information - and much more - on the WVU Extension Service website at www.ext.wvu.edu, under the Lawn and Garden tab.

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Pocahontas Producers Sale date
Regular Sale, June 9, 2 p.m.

Natural gas issues to be presented at free conference
West Virginia University's Extension Service will work to help the public gain a better understanding of natural gas issues in the state through a free, day-long conference in Morgantown on Wednesday, June 6, at the Morgantown Event Center.
The conference, Enhancing Public Understanding of Natural Gas Issues, runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and features information regarding natural gas exploration in the Marcellus shale region.
Topics include public health issues; seismic testing; well site safety; private property taxation and insurance; and banking and financing.ﾠﾠ
"We hear from people in all 55 of the counties we serve that they're confused about Marcellus shale and what it means to their community," Jennifer Williams, director of the WVU Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources unit. "As educators we have a responsibility to help the public make informed decisions when it comes to private and public issues surrounding oil and natural gas."
Representatives of the WVU Extension Service, WVU School of Medicine, US Geological Survey and the West Virginia Tax Department will speak about issues surrounding Marcellus shale.
Lunch, break snacks and parking are free to attendees. Pre-registration is recommended.ﾠ Participants should pre-register by Friday, May 25.
Register by mail, e-mail, or fax by downloading and completing the registration form at www.anr.ext.wvu. edu/oil_gas.ﾠ For more information, please call Georgette Plaugher at 304-329-1391.
For more information on oil and natural gas programming in your community, visit www.anr.ext.wvu. edu/oil_gas, or contact your local office of the WVU Extension Service.

National Water Quality Initiative Landowner
Assistance public meeting announced
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will hold a public meeting on Thursday, May 31, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Marlinton Municipal Building to present assistance and activities available to farmers and forest landowners in the Knapps Creek Watershed in Pocahontas County. Through the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI), NRCS is offering financial and technical assistance to farmers and forest landowners interested in improving water quality and aquatic habitats in the Knapps Creek Watershed. NRCS will help producers implement conservation and management practices through a systems approach to control and trap nutrient and manure runoff. Qualified producers will receive assistance for installing conservation practices such as prescribed grazing, stream bank and shoreline protection, and heavy use area protection. For more information on NWQI, go to http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/eqip_12/nwqi.html.
NRCS program specialists will be available to provide information, answer questions, and sign-up applicants. Please plan to attend to find out what you can do to help improve environmental quality on your land and improve the water quality and aquatic habitats the Knapps Creek Watershed. For more information about this meeting, contact Susan Davis, Buckeye Service Center District Conservationist, through E-mail at Susan.Davis@wv. usda.gov or by telephone at 304-799-4317.
Soil and water quality conservation practices benefit agricultural producers by lowering input costs and enhancing the productivity of working lands. The landowners and farmers participating in the initiative will receive conservation payments to work on the land in a sustainable way which provides cleaner water. In addition to the financial assistance, the land will remain productive into the future. Communities benefit by having clean waterways, safer drinking water and healthy habitat for fish and wildlife. Knapps Creek is currently on the 303d impaired streams list for West Virginia.
The Knapps Creek Watershed is located in Pocahontas County. Knapps Creek is a tributary to the Greenbrier River.
Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations and/or alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) associated with this meeting should contact Charlotte Elliott-Friend at 304-284-4247 at least one week prior to the meeting with his/her specific request.

Woodland Owners Tree Farm Walking Tour
Do you own a wooded property and wonder about projects you might do to make it more productive? Or do you just like hearing about what woodland owners do to improve the woods they love so much?
If so, you'll want to come out to a Walking Tour at the property of Duke and Justin Layfield in Lewis County.ﾠ These two were named the West Virginia Tree Farmers of the Year in 2010.
The walk is on Saturday, June 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.ﾠ The "get together" is sponsored by the West Virginia Woodland Owners Association, WVU Extension Service/Appalachian Hardwood Center, West Virginia Forestry Association, the WV Tree Farm, and the WV Stewardship Program.ﾠ
The Layfields will lead the tour and tell the group about some key strategies in maintaining access roads, controlling invasive plants, harvesting timber and planting oak trees.ﾠ We will see a grove of native persimmon trees, wildlife food plots and ponds, and a fruit and berry orchard.
The walking tour will cover generally flat ground with a few relatively steep sections, so it is recommended to wear sturdy walking shoes. Following the walking tour, a lunch will be provided.
This event is free, but please RSVP with Dan Magill (WVU Appalachian Hardwood Center) at 304-293-9419 or by e-mailing: dmagill@wvu.edu

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County Belle Nominations Needed
Pocahontas County is looking for nominations for a "county belle" to represent our county at the West Virginia State Folk Festival June 22-24 in Glenville.ﾠ A county belle must be past her 70th birthday and possess qualities consistent with the spirit of pioneer women.ﾠ Each nominee must have a sponsoring group who is committed to pay the $125 registration fee for the lady who is selected.ﾠ All nominations are due to the Extension Office by May 1, and a selection committee will make their selection no later than May 15.ﾠ Call the Extension Office at 799-4852 for a nomination form.

Sponsors Still Needed for 4-H Camp T-Shirts
Sponsors are still needed for the Pocahontas County 4-H Camp T-shirts this summer.ﾠ All sponsors are asked to contribute $50 and their names will be printed on the back of the camp T-shirts that are given to every 4-H'er attending county camp.ﾠ If any business, organization, or individual is interested in being a 2012 sponsor, please call the Extension Office at 799-4852 as soon as possible.

Dramas, Fairs and Festivals applications
The Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Committee will meet Monday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. in the Extension Office.ﾠ Applications are due in the Extension Office by May 1.ﾠ If you have any questions or need an application form, please call the office at 304799-4852.

Pocahontas Producers Spring Sale Schedule
Saturday, April 28, 2 p.m.ﾠ Regular Sale
Saturday, May 12,ﾠ2 p.m.ﾠ Regular Sale
Saturday, June 9, 2 p.m. Regular Sale
There will be no sale dates in July. Regular sales will continue in August.

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County Belle Nominations Needed
Nominations are now being accepted for a "county belle" to represent Pocahontas County at the West Virginia State Folk Festival June 22-24 in Glenville. A county belle must be past her 70th birthday and possess qualities consistent with the spirit of pioneer women. Each nominee must have a sponsoring group who is committed to pay the $125 registration fee for the lady who is selected. All nominations are due to the Extension Office by May 1, and a selection committee will make their selection no later than May 15. Call the Extension Office at 304-799-4852 for a nomination form.

Sponsors needed for 4-H Camp T-shirts
Sponsors are needed for the Pocahontas County 4-H Camp T-shirts.ﾠ Sponsors are asked to contribute $50 and will have their names printed on the back of the shirts. Every 4-Her who attends county camp will receive one.ﾠ If any business, organization or individual is interested in being a 2012 sponsor, please call the Extension Office at 304-799-4852 by April 1.

Beef Quality?Assurance Training
The mission of the Beef Quality Assurance is to maximize consumer confidence in and acceptance of beef by focusing the industry's attention on Beef Quality Assurance through the use of science, research and education initiatives. Cattle producers who wish to market their cattle as Quality Assurance must be certified producers.ﾠ Certification for West Virginia producers is through the Mid-Atlantic Beef Quality Assurance certification program.
Certification is a process by which producers accept responsibility for actions under which cattle on their production unit were produced. Cattle producers must realize that they are producing food and that all cattle will enter the human food chain at some point. By following BQA protocols cattle producers can help ensure that Americans can feel safe with the beef they consume. ﾠThe certification process also allows the beef industry to maintain its independence from regulatory agencies.
If you would like to know more about Beef Quality Assurance, there will be a Level I workshop on Tuesday, April 17, at 6 p.m. at the Marlinton Municipal Building.ﾠ The workshop will cover information on the Mid-Atlantic BQA Certification Program. Additionally, the presenters will cover information regarding the youth quality assurance program regarding 4-H and FFA members with animal projects.ﾠ Dr. Darin Matlick, WVU Extension Veterinarian, David Workman, WVU Extension Agent for Hardy County and Jerry Yates, WVU Wardensville Farm Manager, will conduct the trainings.

Master Gardener Training Courses
Master Gardener training sessions are available to the public. All trainings will be conducted at the McClintic Library from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., unless otherwise stated.
Thursday, April 12,ﾠﾠﾠ Pest ID and Control - Instructor Dr. Mafuz Rahman
Thursday, April 19,ﾠﾠ Summary and Review - Instructor Greg Hamons

Food Business Workshop
A workshop focused on the area of food businesses is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, April 17 and 18, in the WVU Building at Lewisburg.
Do you have a food business idea but don't know how to get started?
Do you already own a business and are looking for help to maximize your profit?
This two-day workshop is for anyone who wants to start and/or successfully operate a food business in West Virginia. It offers classes by business and food safety experts from throughout the state. Offering information on everything from developing a business plan and applying for loans -- to determining prices, registering trademarks and buying insurance. Other topics to be covered include required certificates, inspections of food businesses, labeling requirements, responding to emergencies, marketing and WVU's business incubator facility.
Registration is $50. For more information contact Kay Davis at 304-647-7408, Kay.Davis@mail.wvu.edu or Beth Fluharty at 304-293-8588, Beth.Fluharty@mail. wvu.edu
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Quality Inn, 540 North Jefferson St. in Lewisburg, 304-645-7722.
In full partnership with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.ﾠ Sponsored by Greenbrier County CEOS.

Pocahontas Producers Spring Sale Schedule for 2012
Friday, April 13, 7:30 p.m. Special Spring Calf Sale
Saturday, April 14, 2 p.m. Regular Sale
Saturday, April 28, 2 p.m.ﾠ Regular Sale
Saturday, May 12, 2 p.m.ﾠ Regular Sale
Saturday, June 9, 2 p.m. Regular Sale
There will be no sales in July. Regular sales will continue in August.

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GVCD Agricultural
Enhancement Program funding available
The Greenbrier Valley Conservation District is taking applications for the 2012 AEP Program.ﾠ The West Virginia Agriculture Enhancement Program (WV AEP) is a pilot program administered by the West Virginia Conservation Agency through local Conservation Districts to increase farm productivity by conserving soil and making wise use of agricultural resources andﾠ improving water quality in the state's streams and rivers. The program offers technical and cost-share assistance as an incentive to implement selected best management practices (BMPs). The basis of the program is to increase farm profitability and sustainability and encourage the voluntary installation of agricultural best management practices.
Applications are available at your local WVU Extension Office, online or by email from David Gardner GVCD Grassland Technician at dgardner@wvca.us
Applications must be received by the Greenbrier Valley Conservation District Office in Lewisburg by 4 p.m.ﾠ March 1. Applications sent by mail, email or fax will also be accepted.ﾠ For more information call the Greenbrier Valley Conservation District at 304-645-6172 or contact the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Eighth Annual WV Small Farms Conference
The eighth annual WV Small Farm Conference will be held March 1 to 3 at the Waterfront Place Hotel and Conference Center in Morgantown. Registration and schedule are available online at www.smallfarmcenter.ext.wvu/conference.

Diabetic Cooking School offered
Register today for this year's "Dining with Diabetes" cooking school, which will be held in the Marlinton Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall on Mondays, April 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a three month follow-up class on July 9. This free program is for people of all ages with diabetes, their family members, caretakers or anyone who cooks for a diabetic.ﾠ Participants must commit to all five nights of the school. Call the Pocahontas County Extension Office at 304-799-4852 by March 16 to register.

4-H Posters and Photos on Display
The entries in the 2012 4-H Poster Contest and Photo Event will be on display at the McClintic Library in Marlinton during the month of February. ﾠEveryone is invited to stop by and view the entries.

Frozen Food Sale
The 4-H Spring Frozen Food Sale is now in progress. ﾠAll orders are due in the Extension Office before February 28. ﾠThe order form can be obtained by calling the Extension Office at 304-799-4852. ﾠThe frozen food sale is sponsored by the Pocahontas County 4-H Leaders Association and proceeds are used to provide county camp scholarships for county 4-Hers.??
Extension Service Committee Meeting?
The annual budget and personnel meeting of the WVU-Pocahontas County Extension Service Committee will be held in the Extension Office on Thursday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m.. ﾠ
Pocahontas County 4-H and FFA Ham, Bacon and Egg Sale?
The Pocahontas County 4-H and FFA willﾠ hold its annual Ham, Bacon and Egg Sale on Saturday March 10,ﾠ at 7 p.m. at Mitchell Chevrolet in Marlinton. ﾠFor more information contact the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Energy Express Deadlines
Energy Express service /employment opportunities are now available for the 2012 Marlinton Elementary Energy Express Site for one site supervisor, four mentors and one community coordinator. To learn more about how to become involved or to request an employment application, call the WVU Pocahontas County Extension Office at 304-799-4852 or visit the Energy Express website at www.energyexpress.wvu.edu .ﾠ Application deadlines are February 24 for the site supervisor position and March 1 for the mentor and community coordinator positions.

Junior Master Gardener training
Junior Master Gardener training is scheduled for March 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the McClintic Library Conference Roomﾠ
Melissa Williams from WV State University, will train individuals on curriculum and how to leadﾠJMG activities within their youth group, 4-H club, school, churchﾠor other organization.ﾠ The Junior Master Gardener program is modeled after the Master Gardener program and is administered through the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.ﾠ It offers horticultural and environmental science education and leadership and life skills development to children through fun and creative activities.ﾠ Curriculum will be available for purchase.


Master Gardener/Volunteer Project at Pearl S. Buck Birthplace

The Board of Directors for the Pearl Buck Birthplace in Hillsboro is moving to the next phase of the "Good Earth Gardens" project. ﾠThe board would like to beautify the grounds with ornamental shrub and flower beds around both the Stulting Houseﾠand the Sydenstricker House.ﾠ

Two years agoﾠvolunteers installed herb beds behind the house.ﾠ Last year they formed a "grow team" and planted a vegetable garden on what is believed to be the exact site of the Stulting family's garden.ﾠ The garden did wonderfully well, and the group delivered nearly 600 pounds of fresh produce to the local food pantries throughﾠPlant a Row for the Hungry.ﾠ Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Museum also hosted several successful gardening workshops last summer.

Here are some ways to help with the project:

ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Be a part of the design team
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Donate plants from your garden this spring

ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Be a rose consultant

ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Help prepare, plant and/or maintain the beds.

Anyone interested in this project should send contact information to:

siouxgroves@gmail.comﾠ or
Sue Groves
HC 64 Box 503
Hillsboro, WV 24946
304-653-4195

Meetings will be announced in the future.ﾠ For more information regarding this project or the WV Master Gardener program contact the Pocahontas County Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Pocahontas Producers Spring Sale schedule for 2012
Saturday, March 24, ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ2 p.m. ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Regular Sale
Friday, April 13, ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ 7:30 p.m. ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠSpecial Spring Calf Sale
Saturday, April 14, ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ 2 p.m. ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ Regular Sale
Saturday, April 28, ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ 2 p.m.ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Regular Sale
Saturday, May 12, ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ 2 p.m.ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Regular Sale
Saturday, June 9, ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ2ﾠ p.m.ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Regular Sale
There will be no sale dates in July. Regular sales will continue in August.ﾠ