Extension

WVU President Gordon Gee lends a shoulder and an ear for parents during Welcome Week 2019.

From the time-honored 4-H livestock projects to cutting-edge STEM activities, West Virginia University Extension Service will offer a blend of tradition and innovation at the State Fair of West Virginia in Fairlea from Aug. 8 to Aug. 17.

Students in rural communities across the United States, including students in West Virginia, will hone computer science skills and further developing science, technology, math and engineering education with the help of Google and the National 4-H Council.

For the first time, West Virginia University is crowdsourcing to find its nationally running TV commercial. The “2019 Find Your Purpose” contest is a worldwide search for the best-told WVU story.

Across the state, classrooms are quiet and hallways have emptied as another school year comes to a close. But at six Randolph County elementary schools, summer break is a time of growth and maturity – for the schools’ newly planted fruit-bearing trees and bushes, that is.

Improving the healthy lifestyle landscape in some West Virginia areas might sound like a tough task, but a group of passionate West Virginia University faculty and staff believe the secret lies in empowering communities and providing the support they need to take control of their own health.

Out of the 10 million acres of land damaged by extractive industries in Appalachia, about 500,000 lie in the borders of West Virginia. Rather than discarding the region’s history, West Virginia University researcher Zachary Freedman sees the future of that land remaining in the energy sector. But instead of removing something from the earth, he’ll put something back.

Sue Day-Perroots is no stranger to West Virginia University and the State of West Virginia. After 34 years of service in key roles at the University, she retired as associate provost in 2017. When President Gordon Gee presented her with an opportunity to return “home” to lead WVU Extension Service, she jumped at the chance to bring her trademark energy, enthusiasm and focus on results to the role.

Life happened to Danny Vaughn, a cattle producer in Greenbrier County. Eventually, he discovered the AgrAbility program, a partnership program incorporating various agencies that’s primarily led by the West Virginia University Extension Service. After reaching out, he received a consultation about tools that would allow him to continue to farm, in turn providing for his family and making a living.

Barnwood Builders returned to WVU Jackson’s Mill this spring to film an episode called “The Finished Product,” which will feature the new heritage and artisan center. That episode will air Sunday (May 26) at 9 p.m. on the DIY Network. WVU alumnus and host of Barnwood Builders Mark Bowe coordinated the project to help bring the new center to life.