Extension

It’s a common sight in much of West Virginia — ATVs and UTVs rushing up secondary roads, riding along forest trails and running across the hills. Given their popularity, the West Virginia University Extension Service is teaming up with the Polaris Foundation to improve safe riding practices and help reduce injuries and accidents. This initiative is of importance as West Virginia leads the nation in the number of ATV- and UTV-related deaths per capita with rates eight times the national average.

As of fall 2018, the Buffalo Creek Recreation Trail went through a soft opening for riders and it became a hit. A few thousand riders from the majority of the United States and a few from other countries raved about the experience, and weekend rides were often booked solid. Mike Shamblin, a WVU Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent in Clay County, also works closely with the Clay County Business Development Authority and other community groups as a thread that bonds them all together to work for the greater good. He puts in a lot of time outside of work volunteering with these groups.

The Cooperative Extension System has been the outreach arm of land-grant universities throughout the nation since the establishment of the Smith Lever Act in 1914. Armed with research and knowledge, Cooperative Extension experts live and work in communities, providing valuable education and resources to help citizens improve their lives and their communities.

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.