Soil Testing

Now is the time to take soil samples to send in to the WVU Extension Service lab for testing.ﾠ With the high cost of fertilizers it is important to know what the fertility status of your soil is and how much or how little fertilizer is needed to achieve your desired crop yield.ﾠ Late summer and fall are the best times to send in samples to avoid the spring rush, and it will give you time to evaluate your analysis and develop a management plan for your particular situation and possibly order fertilizer at lower winter prices. Soil sample kits are available at the WVU Extension office or by calling 304-799-4852.

Livestock Sales
The Pocahontas Producers Special Steer Calf Sale will be held Friday, September 23, at 7:30 p.m. A Regular Sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 24, at 2 p.m.

For more information please contact Manager Sherry Sullenberger at 540-499-2718 or Greg Hamons at the WVU Extension Office by calling 304-799-4852.

GHP/GAP Trainingﾠat West Virginia State Fairgrounds
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) will conduct Good Handling Practices/Good Agricultural Practices (GHP/GAP) training at the West Virginia State Fairground on Saturday, October, 22.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are recommendations at the production level and beyond, and are designed to help improve the quality and safety of produce. GAPs are becoming more commonplace as wholesale buyers are requiring third-party audits certifying that a farm/facility has developed and implemented a plan to minimize the risk of contamination.

These audits are conducted in West Virginia by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the USDA and are fee based.

The training will be facilitated by Dr. Robert Williams, of Virginia Tech, and will provide participants with hands-on activities and information designed to introduce and prepare for audits. Participation in the GHP/GAP program is voluntary at this time but does provide growers with access to larger markets such as supermarkets and retail distributors.

This is not a certification class.ﾠ It will give you the information needed to prepare for a USDA certification of your farm.ﾠﾠﾠ
If you are a small farmer (Senior Farmers Market Program) who only does farmers markets and you do not have plans to distribute to a larger market, you do not need a USDA certification and this class is not necessary.

In the 2011 round of Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding, the WVDA will be requesting funding available to producers on a cost-share basis to assist with the fee based audits for certification. As a requirement of application for this cost-share funding, applicants will be required to participate in a workshop orientating and educating them to the GHP/GAP process. Participation in this event will make the entity represented eligible to apply for grant funding in the future.
The cost for participation in this qualifying workshop is $35 and includes materials and lunch. You may register for the conference or obtain more information by emailing Danielle Kisamore, Marketing Specialist at dkisamore@wvda.us or calling 304-558-2210. Deadline to register is October 7.
I encourage all produce handlers to take advantage of this educational opportunity and the followup process designed to lead to GHP/GAP certification for your entity.

Composting: A ﾠgood way to manage livestock carcasses
Many livestock producers are unsure about how to manage the occasional livestock carcass.

"Burial can be acceptable, but it should be done only in locations that are at least 300 feet from surface water and that do not have shallow groundwater or bedrock," according to Dr. Joshua Faulkner, agricultural engineering specialist with the West Virginia University Extension Service.

"Improper burials - animals left to decay aboveground - pose threats to livestock health and drinking water," he said.ﾠ
What does the agriculture expert recommend?ﾠ
Composting.

Composting, Faulkner said, provides a low-cost, year-round, and odor-free method of handling carcasses. Composting is environmentally sound and an excellent way of recycling nutrients into a valuable soil amendment.

A biological process performed by naturally occurring microorganisms, composting converts the livestock carcass into more stable organic material. The process is controlled by four major factors: carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, air flow, moisture content and temperature.

All of these factors, Faulkner said, can be managed easily. Here are his recommendations:

A simple process
The large-animal composting process is simple, requiring little more than a suitable location, co-composting material, and a 36-inch probe-type thermometer for monitoring pile temperature.

To begin, select a site that is at least 300 feet from surface water or wells. The site should be well-drained and have proper run-on and run-off water control. If the site is in an open shed or barn, added moisture may occasionally be needed.

Once a site is chosen, a base and cover co-composting material must be selected. It will take approximately 10 to 12 cubic yards of material to compost a full-size cow. The material should be readily available and low in cost.

Because animal carcasses are high in nitrogen, a material with a high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is needed to provide adequate carbon for the composting process. The material should also have the proper physical characteristics:ﾠ It should be coarse enough to allow air flow, but not so coarse that insulation value is lost and the interior temperature drops.

Sawdust is highly recommended; chopped straw and woodchips are also good choices.

The structure
To build the compost pile, place a base of co-composting material on the selected site to a thickness of at least two feet. Next, put the carcass on top of this base material so that no part of the animal is less than two feet from the edge.

Lance the rumen to prevent bloating and possible explosions, which can blow off the pile's cover.

Cover the carcass with a 24-inch-thick layer of the co-composting material.

Maintenance and monitoring
Record the date and the animal's size. ﾠﾠ
Regularly check moisture and record the temperature of the pile. If a handful of the material sticks together when you squeeze it and it does not drip, the moisture content is fine. The temperature, which will begin to rise immediately, can be monitored with the probe thermometer.

Interior temperature should remain above 130 degrees F for at least three days to ensure that pathogens are eliminated.
After several months, the temperature will decrease and the pile can be mixed, which will reactivate the composting process. The temperature will increase again for another few months.
When the temperature drops, the compost is finished and ready for application to fields.

Faulkner added this caution: The compost is not recommended for use on "table-top crops."

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Join 4-H this month

Pocahontas County 4-H clubs will reorganize in September and elect officers, choose projects and make plans for the new 4-H year.ﾠ Youth between the ages of eight (before October 1, 2011) and 21 are invited to join one of the community clubs this month and become a part of the wonderful world of 4-H.ﾠ Membership is free.ﾠ Clubs are located throughout the county and information for each club is listed below. For more information, call the Pocahontas County Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Beaver Creek Beavers - Friday, September 16, at 6 p.m. at Watoga Lake.ﾠ Contact Sarah Hamilton, kidscount95@yahoo.com or Teresa Nelson, 304-799-7430.

Brushy Flat Bushwackers - Tuesday, September 20, at 7 p.m. at Central Union Community Center.ﾠ Contact Kathy Irvine, 304-799-6730.

Buckeye Winners - Monday, September 19, at 7 p.m. at the Trinity Baptist Church in Cooktown.ﾠﾠ Contact Heather Simmons, 304-799-0527, mikeandstevesmom@yahoo.co

Deer Creek Defenders - Monday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Green Bank School Cafeteria.ﾠ Contact Brenda Cochran, 304-456-3091, luvbnamomof5@yahoo.com

Little Levels - Tuesday, September 13, in the Hillsboro Library at 7 p.m..ﾠ Contact Jenny Friel, 304 653-4024, frielrn@yahoo.com

Marlinton Trail Blazers - Monday, September 12, at 4 p.m. at the Snowshoe Career Center in Marlinton.ﾠ Contact Tracy Samples, tsamples@snowshoemountain.com

Minnehaha Braves - Monday, September 12, at 7 p.m. at the New Hope Lutheran Church in Minnehaha Springs.ﾠ Hot dog roast and s'mores.ﾠ Contact Jamie Hill, 304-799-6226, jamied.hill23@yahoo.com

Stony Bottom Rockbusters - Wednesday, September 21, at 7 p.m. at Tabbi Mann's House.ﾠ Contact Tabbi Mann, 304-799-4928, wvtabbi@hotmail.com

Cattlemen's Conference
The 2011 Cargill Cattlemen's Conference will be held Monday, September 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the West Virginia Building at the West Virginia State Fairground in Lewisburg.ﾠ The meeting will feature Dr. Ed Rayburn, WVU Extension Specialist for Forage Agronomy, Buck Chastain, Beef Sales Manager for Cargill, Dr. Bill Deal, Reproduction Specialist of Virginia Tech University, Steve Wolfgang from Atlantic Account for Zinpro Performance Minerals, and Bradley Carter for Cargill Animal Nutrition.ﾠ For more information and/or to RSVP please contact the Greenbrier County Extension Office at 304-647-7408.

Livestock Sales
Pocahontas Producers will hold several livestock sales this month. The schedule is as follows:
Saturday, September 10, ﾠ ﾠ2 p.m.ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Regular Sale
Friday, September 16,ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ7:30 p.m.ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠYearling Cattle Sale
Friday, September 23, ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ 7:30 p.m.ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠSteer Calf Sale
Saturday, September 24, ﾠ ﾠ2 p.m.ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Regular Sale
Friday, September 30, ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ7:30 p.m.ﾠﾠﾠ Heifer Calf Sale

For more information contact Manager Sherry Sullenberger at 540-499-2718 or Greg Hamons at the WVU Extension Office, 304-799-4852.

ﾠ

Master Gardener sign-up
Sign-up now for this fall's West Virginia Master Gardener Training Course. Each of the 10 classes will last approximately three hours for a total of 30 hours of classroom training.ﾠ The course schedule will be announced after the sign-up deadline which is Friday September 2.ﾠ
If you are interested and need more information please call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Cattlemen's Conference
The 2011 Cargill Cattlemen's Conference is scheduled for Monday, September 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the West Virginia Building on the State Fairground in Lewisburg.ﾠ This meeting will feature Dr. Ed Rayburn, WVU Extension Specialist for Forage Agronomy; Buck Chastain, Beef Sales Manager for Cargill; Dr. Bill Deal of Virginia Tech University, Reproduction Specialist; Steve Wolfgang from Atlantic Account for Zinpro Performance Minerals; and Bradley Carter for Cargill Animal Nutrition.ﾠ For more information please contact the Greenbrier County Extension Office by calling 304-647-7408.

Livestock Sales
Pocahontas Producers will hold several livestock sales this month.
Saturday, September 10, 2 p.m. Regular Sale
Friday, September 16, 7:30 p.m. Yearling Cattle Sale
Friday, September 23, 7:30 p.m. Steer Calf Sale
Saturday, September 24, 2 p.m. Regular Sale
Friday, September 30, 7:30 p.m. Heifer Calf Sale
For more information please contact Manager Sherry Sullenberger, 540-499-2718, or Greg Hamons at the WVU Extension Office, 304-799-4852.

2011 Pocahontas County 4-H and FFA
Livestock Show and Sale

The Pocahontas County chapters of the 4-H and FFA Annual Livestock Show and Sale Saturday, August 27, show at noon; sale at 7:30 p.m. Lunch is provided by the Brushy Flat Bushwackers 4-H club from 11a.m.- noon and dinner will feature lamb and pork provided by Morgan and Kim McComb starting at 5:30 p.m. We encourage everyone to come out and support the local 4-H and FFA youth and the culmination of their hard work with their livestock projects. For more information call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Master Gardener Applications

The WVU Extension Service is now taking applications for the West Virginia Master Gardener Training Course this fall. Each of the 10 classes will be approximately three hours for a total of 30 hours of classroom training. The course schedule will be announced following registration. Registration deadline is Friday, September 2. For more information call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

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State Fair
The West Virginia State Fair will be August 12-20 at the state fairgrounds in Lewisburg. ManyﾠPocahontas County 4-Hers and FFA members will travel to the State Fair to exhibit their projects in theﾠYouth Building.ﾠ 4-H and FFA members will also exhibit theirﾠanimal projects at the livestock and horse shows.ﾠ We encourage everyone to support them in their endeavors. For more information on the State Fair of West Virginia please visit www.wvstatefair.com.

2011 Pocahontas County 4-H and FFA Livestock
Show and Sale
Attention buyers, save the date: The Pocahontas Countyﾠ 4-H and FFA members will hold their annual livestock show and sale Saturday August 27.ﾠ The show will begin at noon and the sale will be held that evening at 7:30 p.m. ﾠ Lunch will be available through the Brushy Flat Bushwackers 4-H Club from 11 a.m.- noon. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. will feature lamb and pork which will be provided by Morgan and Kim McComb.ﾠ We encourage everyone to come out and support the local 4-H and FFA youth and the culmination of their hard work with their livestock projects.ﾠ For more information call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Project Exhibit Fair
Approximately 100 people attended this year's 4-H Project Exhibit Fair at the McClintic Library August 4 and 5. Attendees enjoyed Rene White's homemade ice cream as they learned about the 4-H members' project experiences in vet science, beef, dairy, horses, sheep, swine, poultry, dogs, rabbits, goats, small pets, cats, landscape gardening, woodworking, trees, trapping, fishing, cooking, photography, scrapbooking and "This is 4-H." Ninety-three projects were exhibited, and the blue ribbon exhibits will be on display at the West Virginia State Fair in Lewisburg August 12-20.

Pocahontas Producers Livestock Sale
Pocahontas Producers Co-op will hold a regular livestock sale Saturday, August 20, at 2 p.m.ﾠ Take-up will be from 7:30 a.m. - noon.
For more information call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852 or PPCA Manager Sherry Sullenberger at 540-499-2718.

ﾠ

West Virginia was one of 13 state teams that participated in the 32nd annual National 4-H Forestry Invitational from Sunday, July 24, through Thursday, July 28. ﾠTeams from Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee placed first, second and third respectively.

The invitational was held at West Virginia University Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp and Conference Center near Weston. ﾠThe event was sponsored by Farm Credit System, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, The Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., Alpha Natural Resources, West Virginia University Extension Service and the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.

While at the Invitational 4-H members competed for overall team and individual awards in several categories.ﾠ Events included tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry bowl and a written forestry exam.
West Virginia was represented by Steven Casto, Kyler Doss, and Seth Doss, all of Marlinton, and Evan Rose, of Hillsboro. ﾠThe team was coached by Greg Hamons, of Renick.

For more information on the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, go to: http://4hforestryinvitational.org/

4-H is a youth education program operated by the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the state land grant universities. More than five-and-a-half million young people participate in 4-H, and nearly 100,000 are part of the 4-H Forestry Program.

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Ham, Bacon and Egg Projects
4-H and FFA Members interested in the 2012 Ham/Bacon Show and Sale must call the WVU Extension Office, 304-799-4852, before August 1 to sign up for the project. Only those who have signed up by the deadline will be allowed to participate. The deadline for ownership of the pigs is also August 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, 2011.

3)Hogs will be butchered in October 2011

4)Hams must weigh less than 38 lbs (Green Weight).

Food Preservation Workshop
The WVU Extension Service and "Grow Appalachia" will hold a Food Preservation�Workshop Tuesday, August 2, from 1-5 p.m. at the Pretty Penny Caf� in Hillsboro. Participants will�learn how to can food using both a pressure canner and boiling water bath.��Space for the workshop is limited, so call the WVU Extension Office, 304 799-4852, before noon Friday, July 29, to register.

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 3, between 8-11 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 4, and Friday, August 5,� from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.� The 4-H exhibits will be on display at these times and homemade ice cream will be served beginning at noon on Friday, August 5.� Make plans to come and share in what the county's 4-Hers are doing.

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

Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Applications
The Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Committee will meet Monday,�August 8,�at 10:30 a.m. in the Extension Office.� Applications are due in the Extension Office by�August 1.� If you have any questions or need an application form, please call the office at 304-799-4852.

Opening on Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Board
If you are interested in serving on the Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Board to represent the�Central District of Pocahontas County, please submit a letter of interest by�August 1 to the Pocahontas County Extension Office, 900 E Tenth Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954.

2011 State 4-H/FFA Livestock Roundup Information Available
The information packet for the 2011 State 4-H/FFA Livestock Roundup has been released.� If you're involved with the Roundup, it's important to take a look because there are some major procedural changes this year.
Consignments must be returned to the county Extension office and then forwarded to Phil Osborne, postmarked by August 1. They are not to be mailed by individual consignors, and no consignments will be accepted after August 1.� Participant registration forms are due to Jean Woloshuk by August 31.
For more information please contact the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

2011 Pocahontas County 4-H and FFA Livestock Show and Sale
Attention buyers - save the date: The Pocahontas County Chapter of 4-H and FFA will hold its annual livestock show and sale on Saturday August 27. The show will begin at noon and the sale will fwill begin that night at 7:30 p.m.

Get Soil Ready Now to Plant Blueberries Next Year

Have fresh blueberries got you thinking about planting berries next spring?ﾠ Well, the clock is ticking. You can't wait for spring. Start now.

You should begin proper site preparationﾠat least a year before you plant blueberries, according to Dr. Mary Beth Bennett, agriculture associate professor with the Berkeley County office of the West Virginia University Extension Service.

In recognition of July as blueberry month, Bennett devoted a recent newspaper column to the healthful, tasty fruit. Here are excerpts from her column:

Select Right Site
Blueberries can be grown in most parts of West Virginia with attention to a few requirements. This column will focus on growing highbush blueberries-the species commonly grown commercially.

Mature highbush plants are six to eight feet tall. Several canes are produced from the crown each spring, and canes live for many years. Flower buds form in the fall, and plants produce fruit about two months after flowering in the spring.

If you plan to plant blueberries, observe the natural vegetation of the site you want. Do you see plants like wild blueberries, huckleberries, azaleas, laurel, native spiraea or hardhack growing in the area? ﾠﾠ

If you do, you have a good sign that the soil may be good for blueberries. If not, several measures need to be taken for a successful planting.

Begin site preparation at least a year prior to planting. Make your priority measures be soil tests, perennial weed control and the incorporation of organic matter in the planting strips. ﾠ

Blueberries require soils high in organic matter. Therefore, well-rotted sawdust may be mixed with the soil in the planting hole. These materials are also useful as mulch around the plant to control weeds and conserve moisture. Six inches of mulch should be applied at planting and at least an inch replaced annually to the soil around the plants.

Blueberries have shallow roots and require frequent irrigation. But they do not like having wet feet; so be sure the soil is well-drained. If the soil is not well-drained, hilling the planting row a foot or so above the aisle will help keep the roots out of standing water.

Test the Soil
Preparing the soil for planting is much the same as preparing for a home garden. To learn the pH and fertility of your soil, have the soil tested prior to planting by having samples analyzed by the West Virginia University Soil Testing Lab. The service is free and valuable.ﾠ
Till cover crops or legume sod in late fall or early in the spring. If you add fertilizer, base your calculations on the WVU soil analysis. The fertilizer should be added and mixed with the soil in the spring when you work the soil for planting.

Blueberries grow in acidic soil in a range of pH from 4.0 to 5.2, with the optimum from 4.5 to 4.8.ﾠ Soil more alkaline than that can be corrected by the addition of sulfur.ﾠ If you use ferrous sulfate to increase acidity, multiply the number of pounds indicated for sulfur by 6.ﾠ

Order Early, Prune Well
Order plants well in advance of your planting date to ensure you get large plants. Select your highbush cultivars so that you will have a range of harvest dates and you can spread out the harvest labor. More than one cultivar is suggested to provide cross pollination, which results in larger berries.ﾠ

Plant blueberries in the spring as early as possible. Plants should be set four to five feet apart with enough room between rows to allow equipment to pass.

Pruning is essential to produce large berries and vigorous plants. For the first two years, the flower buds should be pruned off the plant to allow it to become established.ﾠ Fruit is produced only on growth from the previous season. The best fruit is produced on strong wood that is about pencil-thick.

Once branches get too thin to have good fruit, remove the whole cane at the soil level. Renewal shoots coming from the base of the plant should be encouraged to replace the current fruiting wood.

Usually, canes should not be kept more than five years. Try to keep an equal number of one-, two-, three, four-, and five-year-old canes. Keep the canopy open to intercept the maximum amount of light and allow air to circulate.

If you begin now, you eventually will have a bountiful crop of blueberries. In the meantime, buy blueberries from local farmers. Visit area farmers markets, where you will find a variety of ﾠlocal produce in season.

For information about growing fruits and vegetables, check the WVU Extension Service website at www.ext.wvu.edu.

Ham, Bacon and Egg Projects

4-H and FFA Members interested in the 2012 Ham/Bacon Show and Sale must call the WVU Extension Office, 304-799-4852, to sign up for the project before August 1. Only those youth signed up by the deadline will be allowed to participate. The deadline for ownership of the pigs is also August 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 2011
4)Hams must weigh less than 38 pounds (green weight).

Food Preservation Workshop
The WVU Extension Service will hold a Food PreservationﾠWorkshop on Tuesday, August 2, from 1-5 p.m. at the Pretty Penny Restaurant in Hillsboro. Participants willﾠlearn how to can food using both a pressure canner and boiling water bath. Space is limited. Call the WVU Extension Office at 304 799-4852 to register.

Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Applications
The Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Committee will meet Monday, August 8, at 10:30 a.m. in the Extension Office.ﾠ Applications are due in the Extension Office byﾠAugust 1. If you have any questions or need an application form, please call the office at 304-799-4852.

4-H Project Exhibits Due
All 4-Hers are reminded that project exhibits are due at the McClinic Library Conference Room in Marlinton Wednesday, August 3, between 8-11 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 Thursday, August 4, and Friday, August 5,ﾠ from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.ﾠ The 4-H exhibits will be on display at these times, and homemade ice cream will be served beginning at noon Friday. Make plans to come and share in what our county 4-Hers are doing.

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

2011 State 4-H/FFA Livestock Roundup information available
The information packet for the 2011 State 4-H/FFA Livestock Roundup has been released.ﾠ If you are involved with the Roundup, it's important to take a look, because there are some major procedural changes this year.

Consignments must be returned to the county Extension office and then forwarded to Phil Osborne, postmarked by August 1. They are not to be mailed by individual consignors, and no consignments will be accepted after August 1.ﾠ Participant registration forms are due to Jean Woloshuk by August 31.
The information packet was sent to ES-ALL last week.ﾠ If you missed it or need additional information, contact Jean Woloshuk, Jean.Woloshuk@mail.wvu.edu; 304-293-6131, ext. 4238.

Performance Tested Ram and Invitational Ewe Sale is July 23
The Sixth Annual West Virginia Performance Tested Ram and Invitational Ewe Sale is scheduled for Saturday, July 23. The sale will be held at the WVU Reymann Memorial Farm, two miles north of Wardensville on State Route 259.ﾠ There will be an educational program at 9 a.m. A barbecue lamb lunch will be available at noon for $5, and the sale will begin at 1 p.m. For more information, call 304-257-4688 or contact the West Virginia Small Ruminant Project sheepandgoats.wvu.edu

Get soil ready now to plant blueberries next year
Has eating fresh blueberries made you think about planting berries next spring?ﾠ Well, the clock is ticking. You can't wait for spring. You need to start now.

You should begin proper site preparationﾠat least a year before you plant blueberries, according to Dr. Mary Beth Bennett, agriculture associate professor with the Berkeley County office of the West Virginia University Extension Service.
In recognition of July as blueberry month, Bennett devoted a recent newspaper column to the healthful, tasty fruit. Here are excerpts from her column:

Select Right Site
Blueberries can be grown in most parts of West Virginia with attention to a few requirements. This column will focus on growing highbush blueberries-the species commonly grown commercially.

Mature highbush plants are six to eight feet tall. Several canes are produced from the crown each spring, and canes live for many years. Flower buds form in the fall, and plants produce fruit about two months after flowering in the spring.

If you plan to plant blueberries, observe the natural vegetation of the site you want. Do you see plants like wild blueberries, huckleberries, azaleas, laurel, native spiraea or hardhack growing in the area?

If you do, you have a good sign that the soil may be good for blueberries. If not, several measures need to be taken for a successful planting.

Begin site preparation at least a year prior to planting. Make your priority measures be soil tests, perennial weed control and the incorporation of organic matter in the planting strips.

Blueberries require soils high in organic matter. Therefore, well-rotted sawdust may be mixed with the soil in the planting hole. These materials are also useful as mulch around the plant to control weeds and conserve moisture. Six inches of mulch should be applied at planting and at least an inch replaced annually to the soil around the plants.

Blueberries have shallow roots and require frequent irrigation. But they do not like having wet feet; so be sure the soil is well-drained. If the soil is not well-drained, hilling the planting row a foot or so above the aisle will help keep the roots out of standing water.

Test the Soil
Preparing the soil for planting is much the same as preparing for a home garden. To learn the pH and fertility of your soil, have the soil tested prior to planting by having samples analyzed by the West Virginia University Soil Testing Lab. The service is free and valuable.

Till cover crops or legume sod in late fall or early in the spring. If you add fertilizer, base your calculations on the WVU soil analysis. The fertilizer should be added and mixed with the soil in the spring when you work the soil for planting.

Blueberries grow in acidic soil in a range of pH from 4.0 to 5.2, with the optimum from 4.5 to 4.8.ﾠ Soil more alkaline than that can be corrected by the addition of sulfur.ﾠ If you use ferrous sulfate to increase acidity, multiply the number of pounds indicated for sulfur by 6.

Order Early, Prune Well
Order plants well in advance of your planting date to ensure you get large plants. Select your highbush cultivars so that you will have a range of harvest dates and you can spread out the harvest labor. More than one cultivar is suggested to provide cross pollination, which results in larger berries.

Plant blueberries in the spring as early as possible. Plants should be set four to five feet apart with enough room between rows to allow equipment to pass.

Pruning is essential to produce large berries and vigorous plants. For the first two years, the flower buds should be pruned off the plant to allow it to become established.ﾠ Fruit is produced only on growth from the previous season. The best fruit is produced on strong wood that is about pencil-thick.

Once branches get too thin to have good fruit, remove the whole cane at the soil level. Renewal shoots coming from the base of the plant should be encouraged to replace the current fruiting wood.

Usually, canes should not be kept more than five years. Try to keep an equal number of one-, two-, three, four-, and five-year-old canes. Keep the canopy open to intercept the maximum amount of light and allow air to circulate.

If you begin now, you eventually will have a bountiful crop of blueberries. In the meantime, buy blueberries from local farmers. Visit area farmers markets, where you will find a variety of ﾠlocal produce in season.

For information about growing fruits and vegetables, check the WVU Extension Service website at www.ext.wvu.edu.

Free ATV Safety Course to be offered
The West Virginia University Extension Service 4-H Program is offering the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute's (ASI) RiderCourse to help make ATV riding a safer activity.
Adults are welcome, as well as youths ages 12 and up. The course usually costs $150, but it is being offered at no charge through a grant from the National 4-H Council. Although the program is being sponsored by 4-H, participants do not have to be 4-H members. ATVs will be provided for the training.

Four sessions are being offered on July 29 and July 30 at WVU Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp, Weston. Four more sessions will be offered in Williamson on August 5 and 6. Each session is limited to eight riders. Participants are encouraged to bring helmet, goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and over-the-ankle boots.

The training requires each participant to take the "S" course online training at http://www.atvsafety.org/asi.cfm, and then complete a three-hour hands-on session to receive ASI certification. ASI certification means you can ride on any trail system in the United States.

Preregistration is required. Forms are available online at http://4-hyd.ext.wvu.edu/ events_forms /atv_rider_safety.ﾠ For more information, contact the WVU Extension Service Mingo County Office at 304-235-0370.

Ham, Bacon and Egg Projects
Attention 4-H and FFA members interested in the 2012 Ham/Bacon Show and Sale must call the WVU Extension Office, 304-799-4852 before August 1 to sign up for the project. Only those youth signed up by the deadline will be allowed to participate. The deadline for ownership of the pigs is also August 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 2011
4) Hams must weigh less than 38 pounds (green weight).

Food ﾠPreservation Workshop
The WVU Extension Service will hold a Food PreservationﾠWorkshop on Tuesday, August 2, from 1-5 p.m. at the Pretty Penny Restaurant in Hillsboro. Participants willﾠlearn how to can food using both a pressure canner and boiling water bath. Space is limited, call the WVU Extension Office at 304 799-4852 to register.

Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Applications
The Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Committee will meet Monday, August 8, at 10:30 a.m. in the Extension Office.ﾠ Applications are due in the Extension Office byﾠAugust 1. If you have any questions or need an application form, please call the office at 304-799-4852.

Opening on Dramas, Fairs, and Festivals Board
Anyone interested in serving on the Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs, and Festivals Board to represent the Central District of Pocahontas County should submit a letter of interest byﾠAugust 1 to the Pocahontas County Extension Office, 900 E Tenth Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954.

Some families, seniors eligible for farmers market coupons
Locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables have been available in many communities at lower costs to senior citizens and to Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program families.
Through a grant provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), West Virginia's qualified senior citizens and WIC participants can use Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons to purchase produce at participating local farmers markets.
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is operated by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The coupons are distributed by county senior service centers.ﾠ
The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) is coordinated by the W.Va. Department of Health and Human Resources.
The $20 worth of coupons may be used at any authorized farmers market in any county.
According to the Greg Hamons, an agent with the Pocahontas County office of the West Virginia University Extension Service, the coupon program was created to increase the consumption of local produce and help further develop local produce market venues.
Last year throughout the United States, 18,245 farmers, 3,647 farmers markets and 2,772 roadside stands were authorized to accept WIC coupons. According to the USDA, the redeemed WIC coupons generated more than $15.7 million in revenue for farmers.
For more information about the coupon programs, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website www.fns.usda.gov/
For more information about the local farmers market, contact the Pocahontas County office of the WVU Extension Service at 304-799-4852. The office also has information about Extension nutrition programs and fresh-produce recipes.

West Virginia Performance Tested Ram and
Invitational Ewe Sale
The West Virginia University Extension Service will hold its annual Performance Tested Ram and Invitational Ewe Sale at Reymann Memorial Farm located two miles north of Wardensville on State Route 259. An educational program will begin at 9 a.m., followed by lunch at noon and the sale will start promptly at 1 p.m.ﾠ For more information contact the WV Small Ruminant Project at 304-257-4688 or visit http://sheepandgoats.wvu.eduﾠ
Catalogs are available at your local WVU Extension Service Office or by calling 304-799-4852.
Performance Test Sponsored By: WV Small Ruminant Project, WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design: Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences, WVU Extension Service, WV Department of Agriculture, WV Purebred Sheep Breeders Association, and the WV Shepherd's Federation

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Grilling Workshop
Come see what's "Hot, Hot, Hot off the Grill." The WVU Extension Service will hold a Grilling Workshop on Monday,ﾠJuly 11, at 6:30 p.m. in Hillsboro.ﾠ Learn grilling techniques, safety tips, recipes and more.ﾠ Samples available for tasting.ﾠ Call the WVU Extension Office 304-799-4852 byﾠnoon on Julyﾠ8ﾠto register for this workshop and for more information.

2011 State Fair Junior Horse and
Pony Show entry deadline approaching
The entry deadline for the 2011 State Fair Junior Horse and Pony Show is July 9. All entries must be in hand on or before July 9. Entries that arrive after July 9 will not be accepted, regardless of postmark date. There are a number of procedural changes for the 2011 show. If you have youths who plan to participate, be sure to review the new information so you can help them and their parents to correctly fill out the packet. The information has already been distributed via ES-ALL. Be sure you have the corrected version, which was sent June 9. If you missed it, contact Jean Woloshuk Jean.Woloshuk@mail.wvu.edu; or 304-293-6131 ext. 4238.

West Virginia State Fair Livestock exhibitors
West Virginia State Fair rules and entry forms are available online at www.statefairofwv.com.ﾠ State fair books will not be mailed.ﾠ 4-H/FFA show participants cannot enter livestock entries online.ﾠ Entry forms must be printed and must be signed by an extension agent for 4-Hers or by an FFA advisor for FFA members.ﾠ Entry forms must be received at the West Virginia State Fair Office by noon Friday, July 8. Call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852 if you need additional information.

WV NRCS announces second AMA sign-up
The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently taking applications for the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program. Any eligible landowner in West Virginia may apply at local USDA Service Centers. Even though the sign-up for these programs is continuous, there is a ranking cut-off date. Farmers and landowners in West Virginia have until July 15 to submit applications to be considered for this ranking period. This second ranking allows program applicants who missed the first ranking period an opportunity to participate in AMA this fiscal year.

AMA provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address issues such as water management, water quality and erosion control by incorporating conservation into their farming operations. Producers may construct or improve water management or irrigation structures; plant trees for windbreaks or to improve water quality; and mitigate risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices, including soil erosion control, integrated pest management or transition to organic farming.

For more information on AMA, contact your local USDA Service Center or your local conservation district or go to www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/