While some college students look forward to time off during summer break, West Virginia University student Moriah Davis looks forward to heading back into the classroom where she helps young West Virginians enhance their reading skills through the WVU Extension Service Energy Express program.
Jordon Masters, founder of Micro Genesis, has spent the last two-and-a-half years prototyping equipment, developing a custom network of sensor technology and building his own software tools, all to help him – and eventually other small producers – quickly and consistently grow a variety of unique, petite leafy crops year-round, including microgreens, baby greens, herbs and newly added, romaine lettuce.
Fueled by his ultimate love of dogs and a simple product, Zeb Helmick manages to be the figurehead of a pet treat company that is expanding — fast. Of course he’s nudged in the right direction by his parents, and he’s also equipped with knowledge from the West Virginia University Extension Service. With that guidance, Zeb’s Barky Bites has grown in to something that not only benefits the furry, four-legged animals, but also those involved in agriculture.
Reading and comprehension skills are critical to success in today’s fast-paced world. Energy Express, a summer reading and nutrition program offered by WVU Extension Service and AmeriCorps, helps to ensure West Virginia’s youths keep up with those much-needed skills, particularly during the summer months.
WVU Jackson’s Mill has been an integral part of the history of West Virginia and has played host to hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout its nearly 100-year history. Looking toward the future of facility, WVU Extension Service is planning for the next century of camping and education to meet the evolving needs and interests of youths and other visitors in West Virginia and beyond.
West Virginia youths can join 75,000 of their peers in “discovering the treasures of 4-H” during National 4-H Week, held Oct. 7-13. Youths can go on a treasure hunt to explore the joys of 4-H, trying new experiences, serving their neighbors, gaining life skills and more along the way, by signing up for the West Virginia 4-H Youth Development program.
It could be argued West Virginians in rural communities need more prevalent access to healthcare and medical professionals — winding mountain roads and rivers can make it difficult for many to make appointments and maintain an active relationship with primary-care providers. Many small communities may not have a physician to provide routine guidance on simple, but serious, chronic ailments.
West Virginia University Extension Service is helping local farmers and agribusiness owners navigate new safety regulations and procedures while providing education and training to increase consumer safety from these foodborne illnesses. Teaming up with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and West Virginia State University, WVU Extension Service is offering a series of Food Safety Modernization Act training sessions for fruit and vegetable growers, as well as others interested in learning about produce safety.
The West Virginia University Extension Service will offer up a 10-day blend of tradition and future at the State Fair of West Virginia in Fairlea from Thursday (Aug. 9) to Aug. 18 through everything from time-honored livestock 4-H projects to the innovation of a championship robotics team.
As female involvement in West Virginia’s agriculture industry continues to grow, West Virginia University Extension Service’s Women in Agriculture team recognizes that the responsibility falls on their programming to help fulfill the needs of our state’s women farmers, innovators and entrepreneurs.