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.

Greenbrier Classic Ticket Winners
The 4-H drawing for the Greenbrier Classic PGA Golf Tournamentﾠtickets was held at the Little LevelsﾠHeritage Days and winners Sue Laskey, Tammy Bartley and Sue Jackson will each receive a pair of tickets to the Greenbrier Classic. Officials with the Greenbrier Classic Badges for Charity program donated tickets to each county 4-H program for a drawing or an auction with all the proceeds to be used for 4-H camp scholarships.ﾠ Pocahontas County 4-H Clubs raised $1,290 that will be used for County 4-H Camp Scholarships.

Application deadline approaching for Forest Industries Camp
July 1 is the registration deadline for the 56th Annual Ted Harriman Forest Industries Camp to be held July 24-30 at Camp Mahonegon in Ellamore. The camp, which is open to individuals who will be 16 to 19-years-old by July 31, provides five full days of forestry training. Topics during the first part of the week will include forest ecosystem and forest management. Thursday and Friday will be spent touring local wood utilization firms, visiting a recreation area and participating in field events. Scholarships are available. For more information contact Jean Woloshuk Jean.Woloshuk@mail.wvu.edu; or at 304-293-6131 ext. 4238.

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4-H Project Books
Reminder: all 4-H project books and activity records are due in to the WVU Extension Office by June 30.

Veterinary Career Day 2011
The West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and West Virginia University Davis-Michael Pre-Veterinary Scholars Program second annual Veterinary Career Day, will be held Saturday, September 17, at West Virginia University.
This event is open to high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Parents, high school teachers, counselors and college advisors are also welcome to attend.

Veterinarians holding different positions in the profession will give insight into a typical day in the practice of veterinary medicine. Faculty from West Virginia University will be present to discuss the Davis-Michael Pre-Veterinary Scholars Program. Representatives of several veterinary colleges will also be present to introduce students to veterinary school and answer questions. An overview of the West Virginia Veterinary School Contract system for West Virginia residents will also be presented.

Application forms are available at the WVU Extension Office or by calling 304-799-4852.

Master Gardener volunteers
It's that time of the year again.
The West Virginia Master Gardener Association is looking for Master Gardener volunteers to attend the West Virginia State Fair from Friday, August 12, through Saturday, August 20, to help with the demonstration garden and work in the Master Gardener information booth in the WVU building.ﾠ This year we also have a High Tunnel Greenhouse on display with tomatoes, peppers and melons.ﾠAnd nearby is the 4-H Heritage Garden, filled with a largeﾠvariety of vegetables. It's a great opportunity to meet other Master Gardeners and earn volunteer hours, too.
The deadline to volunteer is July 30.ﾠ All dates are open.ﾠ The hours are from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Contact: Willa Izzo, wilpat@frontiernet.net or call 304-497-2001

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4-H Project Books
Just a reminder to all 4-H members that all project books and activity records are due in the Extension Office by June 30.

Pocahontas County Wool Pool
The WVU Extension Service will hold the wool take-up for Pocahontas County on Wednesday, June 22, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.ﾠ For more information contact Greg Hamons at the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

4-H and FFA
Livestock Tagging
The WVU Extension Service will hold 4-H and FFA livestock tagging at the Pocahontas Producers Stockyards Thursday, June 23.ﾠ Market goats and market lambs will be tagged from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. and market pigs from 6:30-7:30 p.m.ﾠ Questions? Call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

Livestock Sale
Pocahontas Producers Cooperative will hold a livestock sale Saturday, June 18, at 2 p.m. Livestock take-up will begin at 8 a.m.
If you have any questions, call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852 or manager Sherry Sullenberger at 540-499-2718.

Pocahontas County Wool Pool
The WVU Extension Service will hold the wool take-up for Pocahontas County Wednesday, June 22, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.ﾠ For more information contact Greg Hamons at the WVU Extension Office, 304-799-4852.

4-H and FFA ﾠLivestock Tagging
The WVU Extension Service 4-H and FFA livestock tagging will be held Thursday, June 23, at the Pocahontas Producers Stockyards.ﾠ Market goats and market lambs will be tagged from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and market pigs from 6:30 to7:30 p.m.ﾠ Call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852 for additional information.

Farm Tour a success
Eighth graders from Marlinton Middle School participated in the annual regional farm tour Tuesday, May 31. The tour was organized by the WVU Extension Service and staff of Marlinton Middle School to help students better understand the importance and economic impact of agriculture and natural resources in West Virginia.

The group visited Perk Dairy in Frankford, the only organic dairy farm in West Virginia, where host Rem Perkins explained the processes and benefits associated with organic farming.
The students then traveled to Frankford Veterinary Hospital where Dr. Julie Gibson gave the students a tour of her facility including the X-ray lab and pet kennels and spoke with the students about the day-to-day work as a veterinarian.

Then on to J.M. McNeel's farm in Hillsboro where host Donald McNeel showed students around the McNeel's diverse farming operation which includes poultry, sheep, swine, beef cattle, crop production and more.

The group returned to Marlinton to Wade's Farm and Feed, where they were treated to a lunch of locally grown food including beef, lamb, potatoes and more. ﾠAfterwards, host Tim Wade gave the students a tour of his operation which includes marketing agricultural products such as livestock feeds, fertilizer and seeds as well as planting, growing and selling a variety of vegetables.

The tour concluded at the Edray fish hatchery with host Tony Taylor telling the students about raising fish for stocking and the challenges of managing a hatchery and dealing with fish diseases, water flow levels and predators.

Livestock Sale
Pocahontas Producers Cooperative will hold a livestock sale Saturday, June 18, at 2 p.m. Livestock take-up will begin at 8 a.m.
For more information, call the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852 or manager Sherry Sullenberger at 540-499-2718.

No Matter the Season, Find Timely Solutions on WVU Extension Web
Spring brings a whole new set of challenges and opportunities for families, businesses and communities. Many solutions are just a few keystrokes away at www.ext.wvu.edu

Greg Hamons, an agent in the Pocahontas County Office of ﾠthe West Virginia University Extension Service, said that WVU helps families and businesses find solutions that save them money, improve their health and strengthen their communities.

WVU Extension organizes and delivers diverse educational programs in each county. But it also maintains a multi-discipline website that provides on-demand answers.

Currently, the how-to features at the top of the opening page are answering questions about common spring and summer concerns. Here's a sample from the series of revolving headline features:

Bug Off! The brown marmorated stink bug is back. Learn how to deal with this pest.
Flood Warning: Discover disaster prevention and recovery tips.
Cooler Safety: Follow these food safety guidelines to create happy outing memories.
Safe Bets for Barbecuing: Heed outdoor grilling safety rules.
Safety Tips to Prevent Camping Mishaps: Here's how to keep family camping fun.
Straw Bale Gardening: Try this solution if you have limited space or limited mobility.
Grow Your Own Pizza Garden: Grow ingredients for fresh homemade pizza.
Selecting a Site for Your Garden: Before you buy plants, pick the right spot.
Hang on to Hanging Baskets: Make that purchase pay off all season.

At the bottom of the page, rows of small photos invite readers to delve deeper into the website to learn more about the new concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) rule, WVU Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp facilities and programs, local and regional Marcellus shale educational resources, eXtension Ask an Expert opportunities and other resources.

Extension Agents Greg Hamons and Shirley Wilkins encourage people of all ages to explore 4-H, family, finance, food, farm, garden, community development programs and other topics on the WVU-ES web www.ext.wvu.edu

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Pocahontas County 4-H Forestry Team
For the first time in several year Pocahontas County 4-H claimed the title of state champion 4-H Forestry Team.ﾠ The team, Steven Casto, Kyler Doss, Seth Doss, Evan Rose and coach Greg Hamons, made the trip to Morgantown on Saturday, May 14.

As part of the competition the team was required to identify trees, insects and diseases, navigate through a compass and pacing course, measure standing trees to determine volume and combine their efforts in the team event.

With their new title the team earned the opportunity to compete in the national 4-H Forestry Competition which will be held in Jackson's Mill near Weston, July 24 - 28.

For more information on the 4-H Forestry Invitational visit http://www.4hforestryinvitational.org/.ﾠ

No matter the season, find timely solutions on WVU Extension Web

Spring brings a whole new set of challenges and opportunities for families, businesses and communities. Many solutions are just a few keystrokes away at www.ext.wvu.edu.

Greg Hamons , an agent in the Pocahontas County Office of ﾠthe West Virginia University Extension Service, said that WVU helps families and businesses find solutions that save them money, improve their health and strengthen their communities.

WVU Extension organizes and delivers diverse educational programs in each county. But it also maintains a multi-discipline website that provides on-demand answers.

Currently, the how-to features at the top of the opening page are answering questions about common spring and summer concerns. Here's a sample from the series of revolving headline features:

Bug Off! The brown marmorated stink bug is back. Learn how to deal with this pest.
Flood Warning: Discover disaster prevention and recovery tips.
Cooler Safety: Follow these food safety guidelines to create happy outing memories.
Safe Bets for Barbecuing: Heed outdoor grilling safety rules.
Safety Tips to Prevent Camping Mishaps: Here's how to keep family camping fun.
Straw Bale Gardening: Try this solution if you have limited space or limited mobility.
Grow Your Own Pizza Garden: Grow ingredients for fresh homemade pizza.
Selecting a Site for Your Garden: Before you buy plants, pick the right spot.
Hang on to Hanging Baskets: Make that purchase pay off all season.

At the bottom of the page, rows of small photos invite readers to delve deeper into the website to learn more about the new concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) rule, WVU Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp facilities and programs, local and regional Marcellus shale educational resources, eXtension Ask an Expert opportunities and other resources.

Extension Agents Greg Hamons and Shirley Wilkins encourage people of all ages to explore 4-H, family, finance, food, farm, garden, community development programs and other topics on the WVU-ES web (www.ext.wvu.edu).

If you want to know about local WVU Extension programs and activities, contact Greg Hamons at 304-799-4852.


Learn to cut fencing costs, problems at hands-on session June 11ﾠ
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Regardless of how much you know about building fences, the West Virginia University Extension Service will help you increase your skills and save money if you tackle a few hands-on fencing tasks Saturday, June 11, on a farm in Mason County.

Running from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m., the free workshop will be held on the Dan Foglesong Farm in Gallipolis Ferry.

The learn-by-doing experience is being organized by Rodney Wallbrown, WVU Extension Service agent in Mason County. The educator decided that such a session is needed after noticing how many landowners throughout the state individually have been wasting thousands of dollars on inadequate fencing supplies and fence construction.

During the session, participants will learn how to use the latest supplies and techniques.

"We will actually be driving posts with a new hydraulic driver, constructing H-braces, setting corner posts, setting gateposts, applying brace wires, tying wire, hanging gates, stretching woven wire and constructing high-tensile fence," Wallbrown said.

Also conducting training will be Eric Miller of Stay-Tuff Fence Manufacturing.

"I plan to make this a very educational day for producers and Extension agents," Wallbrown said. He added that participants should "come dressed to participate, rain or shine."

The Dan Foglesong Farm is located on Route 2 next to Beale Elementary School. (Turn into the first driveway below Beale School and go back toward the hill, Wallbrown said.)

No registration is required. No fees will be charged for the workshop or for lunch.

For more information about the fencing workshop or other educational programs, contact Greg Hamons, WVU Extension agent in Pocahontas County, by phone at 304-799-4852 or by email (Greg.Hamons@mail.wvu.edu).

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Spices for your health workshop
Add a little spice to your life with Mimi Hernandez's Kitchen Spices for Health presentation on Monday, May 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Marlinton Municipal Building.

A spice is technically a plant product that has aromatic and pungent properties and is used to season and flavor food - cayenne, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, paprika and more!ﾠ ﾠDid you know that these and other common household spices are great to have on hand for household ailments and first aid. ﾠLearn how they can support and even improve your health! ﾠFind out how to incorporate spices into your lifestyle to boost immunity and prevent heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and aging.ﾠ Come and learn more about how to use spices, their medicinal benefits and more at the WVU Extension Service Spices for Health Workshop.

Hernandez is a certified herbalist with the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies at Frostburg State University.

Registration is $2, payable at the door.ﾠ Please pre-register by calling the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

For more information contact Greg Hamons or Shirley Wilkins of the WVU Extension Service by calling 304-799-4852.

Farmers Market training
The WVU Extension Service will hold training for the West Virginia Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Farmers Market participants at the WVU Extension Office at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19.ﾠ To sign-up or for more information please call the WVU Extension office at 304-799-4852.

The same training will be offered at the West Virginia building located on the state fairgrounds in Lewisburg Thursday, May 26, at 3 p.m. and at the WVU Extension Office in Union at 6 p.m. May 26.

2011 International Master Gardener Conference
Registration is now open for the 2011 International Master Gardener Conference to be held October 11-14 in Charleston.ﾠ More information about the conference and registration can be found at http://imgc.ext.wvu.edu/

Confused about CAFOs? Get News on the WVU Extension website
Do you have horses or other livestock on your land?ﾠ Do you need to apply for a permit under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)?

Under West Virginia legislation passed in 2010, some livestock operations in West Virginia will now be designated as concentrated animal feeding operations CAFOs.

Operators of CAFOs will be required to apply for a permit under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

What type of operation do you have?
The new requirements affect large-and medium-sized animal feeding operations that have a potential to discharge or propose to discharge wastewater from production areas or manure land-application areas.

Small-sized animal feeding operations may also be required to have a CAFO permit. But these producers can take three steps to avoid the permitting process.
Pasture-based operations -predominant in West Virginia-do not fall under these new requirements unless they fail to follow best management practices (BMPs) for protecting the land and surface water.

What do you need to know?ﾠ
Agriculture specialists with the West Virginia University Extension Service explain the new rule in easy-to-follow segments on the WVU-ES website. Discover what you may need to do differently by selecting the "Are You a CAFO?" button on the site's opening page, www.ext.wvu.edu

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4-H Camp Letters
County 4-H Camp letters were mailed May 2 and should have already been received by every 4-Her in the county.ﾠ If you are a 4-H member and did receive a camp letter, please call the Pocahontas County Extension Office immediately at 304-799-4852.ﾠ All camp registration forms are due in the Extension Office by May 13.ﾠ Any camp registrations received after May 13 will be placed on a waiting list, and these late registrations will be accepted only if bed space is available.

Farmers Market training
The WVU Extension Service will hold training for the West Virginia Farmers Market Nutrition Program for Farmers Market participants at the WVU Extension Office at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19.ﾠ To sign-up or for more information please call the WVU Extension office at 304-799-4852.

Spices for your health workshop
Add a little spice to your life with Mimi Hernandez's Kitchen Spices for Health presentation on Monday, May 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Marlinton Municipal Building.

A spice is technically a plant product that has aromatic and pungent properties and is used to season and flavor food; cayenne, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, paprika and more!ﾠ ﾠDid you know that these and other common household spices are great to have on hand for household ailments and first aid! ﾠLearn how they can support and even improve your health! ﾠFind out how to incorporate spices into your lifestyle to boost immunity and prevent heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and aging.ﾠ Come and learn more about how to use spices, their medicinal benefits and more as the WVU Extension Service Spices for Health Workshop.ﾠ
Hernandez is a certified herbalist with the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies at Frostburg State University.

Registration is $2, payable at the door.ﾠ Please preregister by calling the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.

For more information contact Greg Hamons or Shirley Wilkins of the WVU Extension Service by calling 304-799-4852.
2011 International Master Gardener Conference
Registration is now open for the 2011 International Master Gardener Conference to be held October 11-14 in Charleston.ﾠ More information about the conference and registration can be found at http://imgc.ext.wvu.edu/

How Do You Deal with Dandelions?
Dandelions appear to be everywhere-to the delight of some folks and to the dismay of others.
A rite of spring, dandelions can be ignored, consumed or . . . dealt with.

Dr. Mary Beth Bennett, West Virginia University Extension agent in Berkeley County, acknowledged the dandelion dilemma when she shared helpful details about dandelions in a recent newspaper column. ﾠ

Here is an excerpt from her article:

Remember how you enjoyed dandelions when you were a child? Do you remember blowing the little seed parachutes to see how far they would go?ﾠﾠ

Do you still enjoy dandelions? Most adults have a love/hate relationship with this perennial weed, which belongs to the Asteraceae (sunflower) family. The dandelion is one of the most common lawn weeds found in yards. But it does have value as a medicinal herb as well as a forage plant for livestock. And it is an early pollen source for pollinators.

Ways to Value the Plant
The entire dandelion plant is edible and has been used as a medicinal plant since Roman times.ﾠ Several countries actually cultivate this plant for its medicinal properties.ﾠ

When they are tender in the spring, dandelion leaves-or greens-can be added to salads. Dandelion flowers are used to make dandelion wine, which tastes similar to sherry and supposedly is an excellent tonic. The taproot can be roasted to make dandelion coffee.

Some beekeepers appreciate dandelions because they provide a valuable feed source for honeybees in the spring.

Ways to Say Goodbye
One of the easiest ways to get rid of dandelion weeds in your lawn is to pull them out. But you need to make sure to get the deep taproot. If you don't, the plants will grow back.

You can find several dandelion tools on the market that will "pop" the plant right out of the ground. These tools seem to work best if the soil is moist, not dry. So, now would be the right time to try this method.

You also can find several herbicides labeled for use for dandelions in landscape, turf and bare ground areas.ﾠ Apply any herbicide according to label directions.ﾠ

Here are other options:
Pour boiling water on the plant as a low-tech method of control.
Prevent the yellow blossoms from maturing into seeds by mowing the lawn frequently when dandelions are blooming.
Mulch them by using cardboard or plastic to prevent them from getting sunlight.
Try spraying a 5-percent concentration of vinegar directly on the plant leaves.
Use a weed burner torch.
Apply corn gluten meal, an organic method developed by Iowa State University.

About Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal (CGM) is a yellow powder created as a byproduct of milling corn and is primarily used in farm animal feeds and dog food. However, it is also used as a "pre-emergent" weed control for lawns.

A pre-emergent prevents roots from forming during seed germination. If a root cannot grow, the seedling is unable to obtain water or nourishment form the soil and will dry up and die.ﾠ

As a dandelion control, CGM is best applied to the lawn about four to six weeks before weeds germinate. If you do not make that deadline, you can still apply CGM a few times during the growing season. The nitrogen in the meal will also keep your lawn green and healthy.

Safe, Economical Gardening
Learn more about economical, safe practices for creating productive gardens and lawns by checking the West Virginia University Extension Service website www.ext.wvu.edu

To find out about local gardening activities contact Greg Hamons, WVU Extension agent in the Pocahontas County Office of the WVU Extension Service, at 304-799-4852.

Confused about CAFOs? Get News on the WVU Extension website
Do you have horses or other livestock on your land?ﾠ Do you need to apply for a permit under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)?
Under West Virginia legislation passed in 2010, some livestock operations in West Virginia will now be designated as concentrated animal feeding operations CAFOs.
And operators of CAFOs will be required to apply for a permit under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

What type of operation do you have?
The new requirements affect large-and medium-sized animal feeding operations that have a potential to discharge or propose to discharge wastewater from production areas or manure land-application areas.

Small-sized animal feeding operations may also be required to have a CAFO permit. But these producers can take three steps to avoid the permitting process.
Pasture-based operations -predominant in West Virginia-do not fall under these new requirements unless they fail to follow best management practices (BMPs) for protecting the land and surface water.

What do you need to know?ﾠ
Agriculture specialists with the West Virginia University Extension Service explain the new rule in easy-to-follow segments on the WVU-ES website. Discover what you may need to do differently by selecting the "Are You a CAFO?" button on the site's opening page, www.ext.wvu.edu

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4-H Camp Letters
Pocahontas County 4-H Camp letters were mailed May 2 and should be received by every 4-Her in the county.ﾠ If you are a 4-H member and do not receive a camp letter by May 6, call the Pocahontas County Extension Office immediately at 304-799-4852.ﾠ All camp registration forms are due in the Extension Office by May 13.

Grilling Workshop
Come see what's "Hot, Hot, Hot off the Grill".ﾠ The WVU Extension Service will hold a Grilling Workshop on Monday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the large steel shelter at Stillwell Park in Marlinton.ﾠ Join us to learn grilling techniques, safety tips, recipes and more.ﾠ Samples will also be available for tasting.ﾠ Registration at the event will be $2 per person.ﾠ Please call the WVU Extension Office 304 799-4852 by May 6 to register for this workshop.

2011 International Master Gardener Conference
Registration is now open for the 2011 International Master Gardener Conference scheduled for October 11-14 in Charleston. More information about the conference and registration can be found at http://imgc.ext.wvu.edu/.

Confused about CAFOs?
Do you have horses or other livestock on your land?ﾠ Do you need to apply for a permit under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)?
Under West Virginia legislation passed in 2010, some livestock operations in West Virginia will now be designated as concentrated animal feeding operations CAFOs.
And operators of CAFOs will be required to apply for a permit under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

What type of operation do you have?
The new requirements affect large-and medium-sized animal feeding operations that have a potential to discharge or propose to discharge wastewater from production areas or manure land-application areas.
Small-sized animal feeding operations may also be required to have a CAFO permit. But these producers can take three steps to avoid the permitting process.
Pasture-based operations -predominant in West Virginia-do not fall under these new requirements unless they fail to follow best management practices (BMPs) for protecting the land and surface water.

What do you need to know?ﾠ
Agriculture specialists with the West Virginia University Extension Service explain the new rule in easy-to-follow segments on the WVU-ES website. Discover what you may need to do differently by selecting the "Are You a CAFO?" button on the site's opening page, www.ext.wvu.edu

News from State Fair of West Virginia
The State Fair of West Virginia in partnership with S.J. Neathawk Lumber has created a Youth Leadership Council. According to State Fair manager Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe, "We have been working on this idea for a couple of years and are pleased that S.J. Neathawk Lumber has joined us in this very important effort. Our goal is to further engage our state's youth in the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment and education while broadening their leadership and organizational skills. S.J. Neathawk is a family-run company that has a strong history of supporting youth and this is their way of ensuring strong youth leaders for the future."

Council members will be expected to complete a minimum number of volunteer hours that tie into the preparation and execution of the annual fair, develop programs and events that promote the State Fair Endowment as well as to challenge their leadership and organizational skills. Youth Council members will also have opportunities to be involved in promotional events that support the fair throughout the year.

The Youth Leadership Council is open to youth ages 15 through 21 and members are selected through an application and interview process. There are seven available seats with three seats going to State Fair scholarship winners. Once selected, members will participate in business meetings, planning meetings and serve on committees. During the Fair, members will coordinate with Staff, Board Members and Volunteers to gain hands-on Fair experience.

Applications can be found at statefairofwv.com or by phoning the State Fair at 304-645-1090. Deadline for application for 2011 is May 15.

Going to College? Enjoy Collegiate 4-H on campus
This fall when freshmen arrive at West Virginia University, they will be invited to become members of the 2011 National Collegiate 4-H Club of the Year and continue its legacy of leadership, service and lifelong friends.

WVU's 4-H Club received the Club of the Year honor during the recent National Collegiate 4-H Club Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. ﾠBut the collegiate 4-Hers are already looking beyond their national award and preparing to welcome new members this fall, when 4-Hers-and potential 4-Hers-will move into their new environment as college freshmen at WVU and other universities.

Encouraging youth to join 4-H collegiate clubs-and welcoming youths to the Morgantown campus-is only a small part of the WVU group's service. The members' diverse accomplishments include a wide range of activities-from teaching youngsters at 4-H camps to preparing meals for the homeless to assisting with the development of 4-H clubs in Mexico.

WVU collegiate 4-H members also support service projects on campus, including organizing events for Mountaineer Week, WVU Family Day and WVU Up All Night.

During county and state 4-H camps this summer, 4-H members will be reminded to add "join collegiate 4-H" to their to-do list for fall-regardless of which college they attend.ﾠ According to many 4-Hers, finding a 4-H community on their university's campus made adjusting to college life much easier. ﾠIn fact, 4-H is known as "a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills."ﾠ Any college student can become a part of a collegiate 4-H community.
Becca Fint-Clark invites Pocahontas County 4-Hers interested in knowing more about WVU's club or other West Virginia collegiate 4-H clubs to contact her at Becca.Fint-Clark@mail.wvu.edu

To learn more about 4-H local and statewide camps, contact Shirley Wilkins at the Pocahontas County WVU Extension Service Office at 304-799-4852.

Farm Management during tough economic times
A one-day, in-service training workshop will be held June 20-21 at the Mt. Airy Resort and Casino in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. The workshop will begin at noon on Monday, June 20. A committee of extension specialists in farm business management from the Northeastern states will be offering a training opportunity to extension educators and specialists on how to use business manageﾭment tools to administer agricultural risks. Topics include Social Media, Marketing, Crop Insurance, Tax Tips, Fundamental Finances, Succession Planning and Educational Programs for Women in Agriculture. Keynote speaker David Becker will talk about the nuts and bolts approach to getting farmers online using social networking tools.

This program is being presented because many farms in the northeast are facing tough economic circumstances at the same time when state budgets are being cut. Unfortunately, there are fewer extension staff with farm management training to assist these farmers. To survive, producers need to be even better managers than in the past. In general, producers continue to be weak on recordkeeping.

This workshop has no registration fee and all meals will be provided.

For more information about Farm Management During Tough Economic Times program, ?visit Rutgers Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics.
Contact dmiley@rci.rutgers.edu for additional information about the conference. To register, go to aesop.rutgers.edu/~farmmgmt/

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Grilling Workshop
Come see what's "Hot, Hot, Hot off the Grill".ﾠ The WVU Extension Service will hold a Grilling Workshop Monday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the large shelter at Stillwell Park in Marlinton.ﾠ Join us to learn grilling techniques, safety tips, recipes and more.ﾠ Samples will be available for tasting.ﾠ Registration for the event will be $2 per person.ﾠ Please call the WVU Extension Office 304 799-4852, by May 6 to register.

Dramas, Fairs and Festivals
The Dramas, Fairs and Festivals Committee will meet Monday, May 16, 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 304-799-4852.

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


Dig in! Get that garden started
Now that spring has arrived, WVU Extension agents throughout the state want to remind you that April is National Garden Month. It's time to dig in and start gardening.

Getting started
One of the first steps in setting up a garden is to look at the area where you want to put your garden.ﾠ Study the area for a period of time before actually doing anything to establish the garden.ﾠ
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Observe whether rain runs off or if it collects in the garden area.
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Observe the sun and the shade.
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Observe if anything will obstruct sun from reaching plants planted in the area.ﾠ
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ Observe shadow patterns, which change with the seasons. During the season, make notes about the changes you see.
Some plants like shade and will do nicely in the shade. But your knowing which ones work best in those conditions is important to having a successful garden.ﾠ
Most vegetable plants require six to eight hours of full sunlight a day to produce fruit like tomatoes and corn. But root and leafy crops-like carrots, turnips, beets, leaf lettuce and spinach-can tolerate some shade.
If possible, avoid planting under trees or on the north side of a tall building. If you plant tall and short plants close together in the same garden, put the tall plants on the north side so they don't cast a shadow on the shorter plants.
Does rain collect in the area you want to use? All is not lost. You can make corrections before you establish your garden. Consider setting up a raised bed or adding materials like gravel, sand and organic matter to help dry out the area.ﾠ
Remember: Water is the most important component in dealing with a garden, and you need access to water if it doesn't rain. Using a layer of mulch around plants helps conserve soil moisture and reduces the need for additional water while discouraging the growth of weeds. However, you need to make sure that water is able to move through the mulch layer into the root zone of the plants.
Preparing seedbeds
A good time to work the soil is in the fall before snow comes. But soil can be worked in the spring. Soil should be worked when it is moist but not wet.

Work soil about six to 10 inches deep, depending on your topsoil. However, you do not want to bring subsoil to the surface.

You can make a raised bed where you incorporate compost and topsoil with grass clippings and leaves left from last fall. This is called the lasagna method of gardening, and it recycles yard waste right in the beds where you grow your crops.ﾠ
The ideal soil is a loamy soil: The texture is not too light (sand) or too heavy (clay). Adding organic matter such as humus, compost or well-rotted manure helps make heavy soils more friable (crumbly), improving water infiltration and root penetration. It also serves as a filler to increase the number of large pore spaces in the soil.ﾠﾠ
What about fertilizer? Do a soil test to find out what your garden needs before you add fertilizer or lime. Contact your Pocahontas County office of the WVU Extension Service at 304-799-4852 for information about this free service.ﾠ
Selecting tools and equipment
It really does not take fancy tools and equipment to have a successful garden. All you need is:
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ a hand trowel for transplanting and roughing up the soil
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ a hoe for digging weeds and making furrows for seeds and plants
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ a rake for smoothing soil after preparing and planting seed beds
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ a spade or spading fork for turning the soil
ﾷﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ a yardstick, twine and stakes for spacing plants, making straight lines and marking plants.
Take good care of your tools. Keep cutting tools sharp. Store all tools in a dry place. After each use, clean tools by scraping them with a putty knife or a wire brush. Then apply a thin coat of oil to protect them from rust or corrosion.
You will find more easy-to-follow directions for creating a successful-large or small-garden by checking the Agriculture and the Lawn and Garden sections of the WVU Extension Service website, www.ext.wvu.edu

NRCS announces opportunity for organic producers to implement conservation practices
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced another funding opportunity for certified organic producers and those transitioning to organic production to implement resource conservation practices on their agricultural operations.

While applications are accepted on a continuous basis, the cut-off date for this application period is May 20. Eligible producers include those certified through USDA's National Organic Program those transitioning to certified organic production, and those who meet organic standards but are exempt from certification because their gross annual organic sales are less than $5,000. ??Under EQIP Organic Initiative contracts, NRCS provides financial payments and technical assistance to help producers implement conservation measures in keeping with organic production. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers may obtain additional assistance.

Producers interested in applying for EQIP Organic Initiative funding must submit applications through their local NRCS Service Center, which can be located through the website at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs.

ﾠ

Herbal and Medicinal Plant Workshop

The WVU Extension Service will hold an herbal and medicinal plant workshop on Wednesday, April 20, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Marlinton Municipal Building.ﾠ Speaker for the workshop will be Mimi Hernandez, certified herbalist with the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies at Frostburg State University.
Come discover the lore, tradition and science behind the uses of Appalachia's most popular native medicinal roots. Learn about ginseng, goldenseal, solomon's seal, sassafras, yellowroot and more.

Registration at the door is $5. Light refreshments will be served.ﾠ Please preregister by calling the WVU Extension Office at 304-799-4852.