NO PERIODICAL CICADAS IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS SPRING
Periodical Cicada Brood II emergence has been in the news a lot lately, but West Virginia doesn’t have anything to worry about. According to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) Brood II doesn’t occur in West Virginia. However, they should be showing up pretty soon in Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
“The Department has been receiving a lot of calls about periodical cicadas,” said Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick “but we aren’t scheduled for an emergence until 2016.”
Periodical cicadas, also known as 17-year locusts, have different emergence years and are grouped in numbered broods. Broods I, V, VIII, IX, X, and XIV are the ones that occur in West Virginia. “Brood V, scheduled to arrive in 2016, will occur over a large percentage of the state,” said Sherrie Hutchinson, WVDA’s Director of Plant Industries Division. “The other broods aren’t quite as large and occur at different times over different areas of the state.”
For more information or a brochure on the periodical cicadas of West Virginia, which includes a brood map, contact the WVDA Plant Industries Division at 304.558.2212.
Glenville: Gilmer County Farmers’ Market 2013 Season Opening - 04.20.13
The 2013 Farmers’ Market season opens on Saturday, APRIL 20, 2013.
Among our delightful variety of craft and food items, the market will feature ripe veggies from the farmers at Fish Hawk Acres, who are growing delicious food in their greenhouses.
Also visit the Holt House and the History Center in downtown Glenville on Friday, April 19, 2013 from Noon to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM for the FESTIVAL MARKET, featuring folk art, crafts, jewelry, books, antiques, food, and music.
Glenville: Farmers’ Market Meeting & 2013 Season Opening
There will be a meeting of all Farmers’ Market staff and vendors (and potential vendors) on Saturday, April 06, 2013 at 9:00 AM, at the Gilmer County Senior Center in Glenville, WV.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor at the market, please come out to the meeting for information and to ask questions.
The 2013 Farmers’ Market season opens on Saturday, APRIL 20, 2013.
Among our delightful variety of craft and food items, the market will feature ripe veggies from the farmers at Fish Hawk Acres, who are growing delicious food in their greenhouses.
Also visit the Holt House and the History Center in downtown Glenville on Friday, April 19, 2013 from Noon to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM for the FESTIVAL MARKET, featuring folk art, crafts, jewelry, books, antiques, food, and music.
There will be a meeting of all Farmers’ Market staff and vendors (and potential vendors) on Saturday, April 06, 2013 at 9:00 AM, at the Gilmer County Senior Center in Glenville, WV.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor at the market, please come out to the meeting for information and to ask questions.
The 2013 Farmers’ Market season opens on Saturday, APRIL 20, 2013.
Among our delightful variety of craft and food items, the market will feature ripe veggies from the farmers at Fish Hawk Acres, who are growing delicious food in their greenhouses.
Also visit the Holt House and the History Center in downtown Glenville on Friday, April 19, 2013 from Noon to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM for the FESTIVAL MARKET, featuring folk art, crafts, jewelry, books, antiques, food, and music.
Winter Bee Losses ‘Normal,‘ According to State Agriculture Department
West Virginia winter bee losses are “normal” again this year, although West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) cautions that that number can vary widely from apiary to apiary.
“The loss figures are not based on a formal survey, but rather the general impression of WVDA apiary inspectors as they work and communicate with the 962 registered beekeepers which are located throughout the state,” added Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick. “And, through the assistance of a USDA grant, the WVDA Apiary Section will conduct a formal survey of bee populations, disease prevalence and management practices in 2013.”
“The commercial producers are seeing 10 to 15% losses; hobbyists might be at 40% or higher,” said WVDA Apiary Specialist Paul Poling.
He pointed out that smaller producers might report a much higher percentage loss.
“If someone is only keeping two colonies and one of them dies out, that’s a 50% loss for that particular producer,” he said.
Poling also noted that effective mite control is also critical to keeping winter losses to a minimum. Varroa and tracheal mites can infest hives and kill bees. Fumigants have been used to treat colonies, but a new, easier-to-use product is available this year.
Apivar is a chemical pesticide strip using the miticide Amitraz that can simply be placed inside the hive for a recommended 42 days. However, it is not safe for use when honey is being produced, so it is good only for spring and fall treatments. Poling also noted that the weather is not nearly as warm as last year, and that some bee colonies may need supplemental feeding before the nectar starts flowing.
Many bee experts have been concerned in recent years about what has been termed colony collapse disorder (CCD), an as-yet-unidentified condition – or complex of conditions – to explain the disappearance of entire colonies of bees. As of yet, CCD has not been identified in West Virginia.
“The losses we have seen in West Virginia in the past few years have all had some type of explanation, whether it was mites, disease or starvation,” said Poling.
For more information, contact the WVDA’s Apiary Program at 304.558.2210.
Gilmer County Farm Bureau and WVU Extension Service-Gilmer County Plant Sale 2013
Order and payment must be turned into the WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County Office by Friday, February 22, 2013 at 4:00 PM
(If you are a resident of Calhoun County, you may drop off/ pay at the Calhoun County Office.
Plants will be delivered to Calhoun County Extension Office for pickup. 304.354.6332)
Strawberries
Early Season
Annapolis: $5 for 25 plants
Annapolis has attractive, high-quality berries that maintain their large size through several pickings. A vigorous and winter-hardy variety, Annapolis has resistance to red stele. With its consistent performance, Annapolis has become a top variety.
Early Mid-Season
Northeasterner: $5 for 25 plants
This variety demonstrates excellent vigor and high disease resistance. Production varies from site to site but is generally ample, with good-sized fruit that holds up well during the season. Northeaster is prized for its very fine flavor and attractive firm berries. Also noted for its resistance to foliage diseases. Northeaster performs well in heavier soils.
Blackberries
Chester: $18 for 5 plants
Considered one of the more winter hardy and productive thornless varieties available, Chester produces large, high-quality fruit that ripens in early to mid-August. Fruit has good flavor and does not soften or lose its shiny black color in hot weather. Chester plants are vigorous and show resistance to cane blight.
Raspberries
Red
Heritage: $10 for 5 plants
For many years this was the standard variety for production and high-quality fruit by which fall-bearing varieties were judged. The fall crop is highly productive and ripens from the end of August through October, depending on your location. The berries have good size, color and flavor. The fruit is good for jam and freezing and is delicious for fresh use, as well.
Black
Mac Black: $18 for 5 Plants
Mac Black is a late-season variety that will extend the black raspberry season. Mac Black berries have excellent flavor, good size and production. Mac Black will benefit from a trellis system.
Blueberries
Chandler: $8.50 each
This is a mid to late season blueberry plant with the largest berry of any available on the market today. Chandler will fruit over a period of 4-6 weeks, and has very nice flavor. This variety is vigorous, with a spreading habit of 5-6 feet.
Not Responsible for Plants that are not picked up within 5 days of arrival!
Get a Head Start on Spring and Order your Berry Plants Now! - Deadline This Friday
Gilmer County Farm Bureau and WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County will once again be placing a bulk order for berry plants.
The berry plants that are available this year will be Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries (both red and black), and Blueberries.
If you would like to improve your garden by adding one or more of these berry plants contact the WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County at 304.462.7061, and we will mail you an order form.
Orders and payment is due by February 22, 2013, at the close of business, 4:00 PM.
Calhoun County residents may also participate.
The WVU Extension Service- Calhoun County will be taking orders, and payment, but they must also be in by February 22, 2013, this will also serve as a pickup location.
Once plants arrive all participants will be called and plants will need to be picked up within 5 days.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to add some fresh berries to your future family meals.
Get a Head Start on Spring and Order Your Berry Plants Now!
Gilmer County Farm Bureau and WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County will once again be placing a bulk order for berry plants.
The berry plants that are available this year will be Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries (both red and black), and Blueberries.
If you would like to improve your garden by adding one or more of these berry plants contact the WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County at 304.462.7061, and we will mail you an order form.
Orders and payment is due by February 22, 2013, at the close of business, 4:00 PM.
Calhoun County residents may also participate.
The WVU Extension Service- Calhoun County will be taking orders, and payment, but they must also be in by February 22, 2013, this will also serve as a pickup location.
Once plants arrive all participants will be called and plants will need to be picked up within 5 days.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to add some fresh berries to your future family meals.
Gilmer County Farm Bureau and WVU Extension Service-Gilmer County Plant Sale 2013
Order and payment must be turned into the WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County Office by Friday, February 22, 2013 at 4:00 PM
(If you are a resident of Calhoun County, you may drop off/ pay at the Calhoun County Office.
Plants will be delivered to Calhoun County Extension Office for pickup. 304.354.6332)
Strawberries
Early Season
Annapolis: $5 for 25 plants
Annapolis has attractive, high-quality berries that maintain their large size through several pickings. A vigorous and winter-hardy variety, Annapolis has resistance to red stele. With its consistent performance, Annapolis has become a top variety.
Early Mid-Season
Northeasterner: $5 for 25 plants
This variety demonstrates excellent vigor and high disease resistance. Production varies from site to site but is generally ample, with good-sized fruit that holds up well during the season. Northeaster is prized for its very fine flavor and attractive firm berries. Also noted for its resistance to foliage diseases. Northeaster performs well in heavier soils.
Blackberries
Chester: $18 for 5 plants
Considered one of the more winter hardy and productive thornless varieties available, Chester produces large, high-quality fruit that ripens in early to mid-August. Fruit has good flavor and does not soften or lose its shiny black color in hot weather. Chester plants are vigorous and show resistance to cane blight.
Raspberries
Red
Heritage: $10 for 5 plants
For many years this was the standard variety for production and high-quality fruit by which fall-bearing varieties were judged. The fall crop is highly productive and ripens from the end of August through October, depending on your location. The berries have good size, color and flavor. The fruit is good for jam and freezing and is delicious for fresh use, as well.
Black
Mac Black: $18 for 5 Plants
Mac Black is a late-season variety that will extend the black raspberry season. Mac Black berries have excellent flavor, good size and production. Mac Black will benefit from a trellis system.
Blueberries
Chandler: $8.50 each
This is a mid to late season blueberry plant with the largest berry of any available on the market today. Chandler will fruit over a period of 4-6 weeks, and has very nice flavor. This variety is vigorous, with a spreading habit of 5-6 feet.
Not Responsible for Plants that are not picked up within 5 days of arrival!
Get a Head Start on Spring and Order your Berry Plants Now!
Gilmer County Farm Bureau and WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County will once again be placing a bulk order for berry plants.
The berry plants that are available this year will be Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries (both red and black), and Blueberries.
If you would like to improve your garden by adding one or more of these berry plants contact the WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County at 304.462.7061, and we will mail you an order form.
Orders and payment is due by February 22, 2013, at the close of business, 4:00 PM.
Calhoun County residents may also participate.
The WVU Extension Service- Calhoun County will be taking orders, and payment, but they must also be in by February 22, 2013, this will also serve as a pickup location.
Once plants arrive all participants will be called and plants will need to be picked up within 5 days.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to add some fresh berries to your future family meals.
Gilmer County Farm Bureau and WVU Extension Service-Gilmer County Plant Sale 2013
Order and payment must be turned into the WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County Office by Friday, February 22, 2013 at 4:00 PM
(If you are a resident of Calhoun County, you may drop off/ pay at the Calhoun County Office.
Plants will be delivered to Calhoun County Extension Office for pickup. 304.354.6332)
Strawberries
Early Season
Annapolis: $5 for 25 plants
Annapolis has attractive, high-quality berries that maintain their large size through several pickings. A vigorous and winter-hardy variety, Annapolis has resistance to red stele. With its consistent performance, Annapolis has become a top variety.
Early Mid-Season
Northeasterner: $5 for 25 plants
This variety demonstrates excellent vigor and high disease resistance. Production varies from site to site but is generally ample, with good-sized fruit that holds up well during the season. Northeaster is prized for its very fine flavor and attractive firm berries. Also noted for its resistance to foliage diseases. Northeaster performs well in heavier soils.
Blackberries
Chester: $18 for 5 plants
Considered one of the more winter hardy and productive thornless varieties available, Chester produces large, high-quality fruit that ripens in early to mid-August. Fruit has good flavor and does not soften or lose its shiny black color in hot weather. Chester plants are vigorous and show resistance to cane blight.
Raspberries
Red
Heritage: $10 for 5 plants
For many years this was the standard variety for production and high-quality fruit by which fall-bearing varieties were judged. The fall crop is highly productive and ripens from the end of August through October, depending on your location. The berries have good size, color and flavor. The fruit is good for jam and freezing and is delicious for fresh use, as well.
Black
Mac Black: $18 for 5 Plants
Mac Black is a late-season variety that will extend the black raspberry season. Mac Black berries have excellent flavor, good size and production. Mac Black will benefit from a trellis system.
Blueberries
Chandler: $8.50 each
This is a mid to late season blueberry plant with the largest berry of any available on the market today. Chandler will fruit over a period of 4-6 weeks, and has very nice flavor. This variety is vigorous, with a spreading habit of 5-6 feet.
Not Responsible for Plants that are not picked up within 5 days of arrival!
Get a Head Start on Spring and Order your Berry Plants Now!
Gilmer County Farm Bureau and WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County will once again be placing a bulk order for berry plants.
The berry plants that are available this year will be Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries (both red and black), and Blueberries.
If you would like to improve your garden by adding one or more of these berry plants contact the WVU Extension Service- Gilmer County at 304.462.7061, and we will mail you an order form.
Orders and payment is due by February 22, 2013, at the close of business, 4:00 PM.
Calhoun County residents may also participate.
The WVU Extension Service- Calhoun County will be taking orders, and payment, but they must also be in by February 22, 2013, this will also serve as a pickup location.
Once plants arrive all participants will be called and plants will need to be picked up within 5 days.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to add some fresh berries to your future family meals.
West Virginia growers set two state plant records in 2012.
The Department of Agriculture says a sweet potato grown by Ray Hendrix of Asbury tipped the scales at more than 14 pounds. That smashed the old record of nearly 11 pounds.
Laird and Stacey Marshall of Jefferson County grew a record 13-foot-11-inch-tall sunflower. The old record was nearly 13 feet, 10 inches.
The department has kept records of the state’s largest fruits, vegetables and other plants since 1996.
West Virginia’s Golden Delicious Apple Gets a Stamp
West Virginia’s official state fruit, the Golden Delicious apple, is being recognized with a stamp.
The Postal Service says that 33-cent postcard stamps featuring four different apple varieties are now available on its website and at post offices nationwide.
The Golden Delicious was designated the official state fruit in 1995.
According to the state Division of Culture and History, the Golden Delicious apple was discovered on a family farm in Clay County in 1905.
Other apple varieties featured on the stamps are the Northern Spy, the Baldwin and the Granny Smith.
Prices for postcard stamps are going up from 32 cents to 33 cents on January 27, 2013.
New Counties Added to Emerald Ash Borer List Iin 2012
Seven new counties were added to West Virginia’s list of Emerald Ash Borer-infested counties in 2012, bringing the total number of affected counties in West Virginia to 24.
New detections were made in Mercer, Ritchie, Braxton, Hampshire, Mineral, Lewis and Lincoln Counties, according to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA).
West Virginia is currently under a federal EAB quarantine, which means that ash logs or products must be inspected and certified as EAB-free before they can be moved to any uninfested state.
“We continue to find EAB in more and more locations throughout the state,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “It is extremely difficult to combat invasive species, but one thing people can do to help is avoid moving firewood long distances, such as when they go camping.”
Plant Industries Division Director Sherrie Hutchinson said, “No one wanted to find more EAB in the state, but the survey definitely enforces the fact that this invasive beetle has spread through artificial movement because we are finding it in spotty areas across the state. Every time you move infested ash firewood or logs you help move the beetle. They are under the bark where you don’t see them, so please don’t move firewood.”
EAB attacks only ash trees. It is believed to have been introduced into the Detroit, Michigan, area 15-20 years ago on wood packing material from Asia. Since then, the destructive insect has been found in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Ontario and Quebec.
Anyone with questions about EAB can contact the WVDA’s Plant Industries Division at 304.558.2212, or visit www.emeraldashborer.info.
Final Gilmer County Farmers’ Market of the 2012 Season
The Gilmer County Farmers’ Market will hold its final market of the 2012 growing season on Saturday, October 27, 2012.
Vendors invite everyone to come out and load up on the final pickings of the year—squash, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, yams—and, of course, Halloween pumpkins.
Crafters will be offering special end-of-season deals as well.
Start your Christmas shopping now!
The market is open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 720 North Lewis Street (Adjacent to Gilmer County Senior Center) in Glenville, WV.
The Gilmer County Farmers’ Market will hold its final market of the 2012 growing season on Saturday, October 27, 2012.
Vendors invite everyone to come out and load up on the final pickings of the year—squash, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, yams—and, of course, Halloween pumpkins.
Crafters will be offering special end-of-season deals as well.
Start your Christmas shopping now!
The market is open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 720 North Lewis Street (Adjacent to Gilmer County Senior Center) in Glenville, WV.
Glenville: Country Roads Cook-Off - October 20, 2012 - This Saturday
The West Virginia State Folk Festival and the Gilmer County Farmers’ Market will host a competitive cook-off on Saturday, October 20, 2012 during the Gilmer Country Farmers’ Market at 720 North Lewis Street.
The market is open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Registration for the Country Roads Cook-Off begins at 11:00 AM, and cooking begins at 12:00 Noon.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Youth are especially encouraged to compete in the cook-off.
Interested persons should speak with Jackie Caudill, the Family and Consumer Science teacher at Gilmer County High School.
Farmers’ Market staff can also answer questions: John Bennett, Cliff Thrasher, Larry Chapman, Mary Lee McPherson, or Dave Millard.
We hope to see many competitors at this exciting event.
And remember, the Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday morning through the end of October.
Glenville: Country Roads Cook-Off - October 20, 2012
The West Virginia State Folk Festival and the Gilmer County Farmers’ Market will host a competitive cook-off on Saturday, October 20, 2012 during the Gilmer Country Farmers’ Market at 720 North Lewis Street.
The market is open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Registration for the Country Roads Cook-Off begins at 11:00 AM, and cooking begins at 12:00 Noon.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Youth are especially encouraged to compete in the cook-off.
Interested persons should speak with Jackie Caudill, the Family and Consumer Science teacher at Gilmer County High School.
Farmers’ Market staff can also answer questions: John Bennett, Cliff Thrasher, Larry Chapman, Mary Lee McPherson, or Dave Millard.
We hope to see many competitors at this exciting event.
And remember, the Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday morning through the end of October.
LOCAL FOOD SOURCING INCREASING THROUGH ‘FARM TO SCHOOL’ EFFORTS
October is “National Farm to School Month,” but efforts to link West Virginia school food programs and local farmers have been in full swing for the past year, and proponents are hailing the early results.
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass said the initiative has wide-ranging benefits.
“The obvious benefit is fresher, tastier and more-nutritious food for students that will help them excel in the classroom,” said Commissioner Douglass. “But they also have the opportunity to learn directly about agriculture and where their food comes from. Plus, this program provides tremendous opportunities for West Virginia farmers to tap into a huge market right here in West Virginia.”
He also noted the cooperative nature of the Farm to School Program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) subsidizes meal programs and provides commodity foods to states, the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) sets nutrition standards for school meals and oversees the state program, and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) warehouses and delivers foods to counties, as well as helping farmers become certified under USDA’s voluntary Good Handling Practices/Good Agricultural Practices (GHP/GAP) audit program.
The WVDA also provided free delivery of fresh, West Virginia Grown apples to 145 elementary and intermediate schools – along with agriculture-based lesson plans – through the USDA’s fresh fruit and vegetable program to kick off Farm to School Month.
But specific menu and food sourcing decisions are made at the local level, and that’s where the Farm to School philosophy has begun to take hold according to new WVDA Farm to School Coordinator Andrew Pense.
Local beef and produce has been served in Fayette County, Tucker County cafeterias are cooking from scratch, Pocahontas County students planted and picked beans that fed the school for two days, and Cabell County bought four truckloads of corn that were shucked and prepared by four cooks.
In Mason County, WVU Extension Agent Rodney Walbrown spearheaded a project in which the entire county had all-local meals one day. The school system purchased five cows at the Mason County Fair, which produced “the best hamburgers the kids had ever tasted,” said Walbrown. In addition, he scoured the county for every potato he could find – well over a ton for the one-day event.
“I did it just to prove that it could be done,” he told a group of about 45 school food personnel and farmers at a Farm to School meeting organized by Putnam County Extension Agent Chuck Talbott. He said Putnam County spends $2 million a year on school meals – neighboring Cabell County spends $6 million – and he implored farmers to get involved and keep some of those dollars here.
The Farm to School Program is gaining steam in West Virginia at a time when secondary agriculture programs are seeing a surge in student interest. According to Nathan Taylor, Coordinator with the WVDE’s Office of Career and Technical Instruction, FFA membership this year will top 5,000 for the first time in recent memory. A new agriculture program has come online with the opening of the new high school in Buffalo and existing chapters are expanding program offerings. Some are working cooperatively with ProStart – a two-year national culinary education program in place in some schools in West Virginia – to grow and prepare food for fellow students.
At Hampshire High School, a wide range of vo-ag classes are offered throughout the school day. Out of 1,200 total students at the school, nearly half are enrolled in at least one agriculture class. The school is planning to build a dedicated veterinary laboratory and kennels so that students can have first-hand experience working as kennel managers and veterinary technicians. Students produced hundreds of pounds of vegetables and melons for the school salad bar, and are also developing a line of purebred Berkshire hogs that instructor Isaac Lewis hopes to one day market locally and serve in the school.
An obvious limitation to Farm to School in West Virginia is the growing season. However, a host of state and federal agencies have been studying, touting and even helping to fund “high tunnels,” which are basically unheated greenhouses. West Virginia may never grow its own oranges, but the structures can cost-effectively extend the growing season for many types of produce for a month in both the spring and fall. And although West Virginia produces approximately 200,000 cattle a year, there currently is limited local meat-processing capability.
Commissioner Douglass – set to retire from public service in January after 11 terms as West Virginia’s Commissioner of Agriculture – isn’t worried about any of that, though. “When I was growing up, we were self-sufficient. Just about everything we had was grown and processed locally, except for coffee and sugar, and we’d trade eggs or produce for them. I’m sure we could do that again,” said Commissioner Douglass.
The West Virginia State Folk Festival and the Gilmer County Farmers’ Market will host a competitive cook-off on Saturday, October 20, 2012 during the Gilmer Country Farmers’ Market at 720 North Lewis Street.
The market is open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Registration for the Country Roads Cook-Off begins at 11:00 AM, and cooking begins at 12:00 Noon.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Youth are especially encouraged to compete in the cook-off.
Interested persons should speak with Jackie Caudill, the Family and Consumer Science teacher at Gilmer County High School.
Farmers’ Market staff can also answer questions: John Bennett, Cliff Thrasher, Larry Chapman, Mary Lee McPherson, or Dave Millard.
We hope to see many competitors at this exciting event.
And remember, the Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday morning through the end of October.
West Virginia Master Gardener Program Accepting Applications - Deadline to Register Monday
West Virginia University Extension in Gilmer and Calhoun Counties is now accepting applications for the West Virginia Master Gardener Program.
This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide experienced home gardeners with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others.
Classes will be held two times per month on the second and fourth Tuesday, starting in October 2012 and ending in March 2013. There will be no classes the month of December.
In exchange for 30 hours of indoor and outdoor instruction, candidates must agree to donate 30 hours of volunteer service to West Virginia University Extension. Volunteer activities include but are on limited to demonstration and community gardens, public beautification projects, helping with farmers market, community gardening education, plant pest problem solving and many more.
There is a program fee of $85 for individuals and $95 for couples to cover the cost of the training manual and other materials.
Applications are being accepted through October 01, 2012.
For more information, please contact the Gilmer and Calhoun County West Virginia Extension offices: Gilmer County 304.462.7061, Calhoun County 304.354.6332.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, and marital or family status.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 08 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Director, Cooperative Extension Service, West Virginia University.
West Virginia Master Gardener Program Accepting Applications - Register by 10.01.12
West Virginia University Extension in Gilmer and Calhoun Counties is now accepting applications for the West Virginia Master Gardener Program.
This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide experienced home gardeners with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others.
Classes will be held two times per month on the second and fourth Tuesday, starting in October 2012 and ending in March 2013. There will be no classes the month of December.
In exchange for 30 hours of indoor and outdoor instruction, candidates must agree to donate 30 hours of volunteer service to West Virginia University Extension. Volunteer activities include but are on limited to demonstration and community gardens, public beautification projects, helping with farmers market, community gardening education, plant pest problem solving and many more.
There is a program fee of $85 for individuals and $95 for couples to cover the cost of the training manual and other materials.
Applications are being accepted through October 01, 2012.
For more information, please contact the Gilmer and Calhoun County West Virginia Extension offices: Gilmer County 304.462.7061, Calhoun County 304.354.6332.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, and marital or family status.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 08 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Director, Cooperative Extension Service, West Virginia University.
West Virginia Master Gardener Program Accepting Applications
West Virginia University Extension in Gilmer and Calhoun Counties is now accepting applications for the West Virginia Master Gardener Program.
This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide experienced home gardeners with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others.
Classes will be held two times per month on the second and fourth Tuesday, starting in October 2012 and ending in March 2013. There will be no classes the month of December.
In exchange for 30 hours of indoor and outdoor instruction, candidates must agree to donate 30 hours of volunteer service to West Virginia University Extension. Volunteer activities include but are on limited to demonstration and community gardens, public beautification projects, helping with farmers market, community gardening education, plant pest problem solving and many more.
There is a program fee of $85 for individuals and $95 for couples to cover the cost of the training manual and other materials.
Applications are being accepted through October 01, 2012.
For more information, please contact the Gilmer and Calhoun County West Virginia Extension offices: Gilmer County 304.462.7061, Calhoun County 304.354.6332.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, and marital or family status.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 08 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Director, Cooperative Extension Service, West Virginia University.
Fresh Express Romaine Lettuce under Recall in West Virginia
Fresh Express Inc. is recalling a limited quantity of 10-ounce “Hearts of Romaine” after a package of the product yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes.
The sample was taken as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) random sample testing program, according to West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass, who is advising consumers to check their refrigerators for the now-expired lettuce.
“The use-by date on this particular product is August 23, 2012 so it’s unlikely that it is still in stores, but consumers should discard it if they still have it in their kitchens,” Commissioner Douglass said.
He also renewed his call for funding to move the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s (WVDA) outdated food safety laboratories to the Regional Technology Park in South Charleston.
“This is another example of the importance of government food safety programs and the technology they rely upon to protect public health,” he said. “The West Virginia Department of Agriculture desperately needs to relocate its laboratories … but we’re still looking for the necessary funding. Although this is an expensive proposition, it is an investment that will pay dividends to the well-being of all West Virginians for many decades into the future.”
The recalled product is identified with a Product Code beginning with “G222” and a Use-by Date of August 23, which is located in the upper right-hand corner of the package. In addition, the UPC Code of 71279 26102 is located on the back of the package below the barcode. The product was distributed in limited quantities in 19 predominantly eastern and southeastern states, including West Virginia.
No illnesses are reported in association with the recall, and no other Fresh Express products are being recalled. Customers with questions may contact Fresh Express customer service at 800.242.5472.
Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection may include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. If it spreads to the nervous system, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck or confusion. The illness is of primary concern to pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. It is rare for healthy adults and children to become seriously ill.
Cantaloupe Safe in West Virginia, Agriculture Commissioner Reassures Consumers
West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass is reassuring consumers that cantaloupes in West Virginia are safe to eat. Last summer, a Colorado farm was the source of an outbreak of listeria that sickened 146 people and led to at least 30 deaths and one miscarriage.
Burch Farm in North Carolina is the target of a current limited recall. The company announced Thursday it has voluntarily recalled 13,888 cases of whole Athena variety cantaloupes (nine cantaloupes per case) and 581 bins (110 cantaloupes per bin) of Athena variety cantaloupes due to the potential for being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
However, it does not appear that any of those melons were shipped to West Virginia. Rather, it appears all the recalled product went to Hannaford Supermarkets in the northeastern United States.
“There’s no reason to believe that any of the recalled product came into West Virginia, and our surveillance in the field bears that out. We’ve found no recalled cantaloupe in West Virginia,” said Commissioner Douglass.
Only cantaloupes that have a red Burch tag with the “PLU” (price look-up) number 4319 are part of the recall. The PLU number of 4319 can be found on many cantaloupes NOT involved in the recall. It is only an indicator of the type of produce, not the source.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Consumer questions should be directed to Burch Equipment LLC at 910.267.5781 Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or email “burch@intrstar.net”.
A West Virginia Department of Education container gardening pilot launched to help young children cultivate a taste for fresh fruits and vegetables has prompted a New York publisher to donate books to West Virginia preschools.
Thirty-two child care sites in Cabell, Jackson, Harrison, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Marion, Mason, Putnam, Upshur, Wayne and Wyoming participating in the pilot each received a copy of “Holly Bloom’s Garden” from Flashlight Press.
The book introduces basic gardening concepts, such as fertilization, gardening tools, patience and the concept of a green thumb. An additional 1,040 copies will be distributed this fall to all centers participating in the West Virginia Universal Pre-K program.
“Flashlight Press is happy to support this wonderful initiative, especially since the program is so well-suited to the content of our picture book, ‘Holly Bloom’s Garden,‘“ said Marissa Newman with Flashlight. “We hope the children of West Virginia enjoy the book.“
Each participating center receives a two-year grant to grow a container garden in their child care centers. The gardens are to contain strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, onions, lettuce, bush beans, basil, cilantro and chives.
The produce and herbs harvested from the gardens will be incorporated into the child centers’ food programs and used for taste tests.
The grants can be used to buy soil, five containers, child-sized tools and travel for training. Sites chosen for the pilot program all participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Sponsors of the Child and Adult Care Food Program provide meals at no extra charge to all enrolled participants at each participating facility, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital status or family status.
Audits, reports, meetings, waivers, programs, and LOTS of money.
This is the ingredient list for the failed West Virginia Department of Failed Education.
Thank you for the professional way you informed your town council of your actions.
Always nice to learn of a ‘resignation’ or a cop-out on the internet.
By don't let the GC door hit you in the bass on 05.21.2013
Common Core rather promotes a socialist, communist program. Check the names who claim authorship. Texas dropped Common Core all ready, went on to C-Scope and now are dropping that as well.
This is a great example of two broken and failed systems working in unison.
~Seventy pages of ‘regulation’ from our failed educational system.
~Over a year before a ‘charged’ person gets their day in court.
Anonymous
You say that my Internal Evidence is “one of the lamest pieces of sophistry I have ever seen.“ One of the oldest ploys in debate is ridicule. When you cannot deal with the argument, make light of it.
You agree that blood is the evidence, and scientific knowledge is the proof, but you do not say how you get that scientific knowledge. Is it not through testing the blood itself? And we are in agreement as to the white granular substance, the proof is in the lab test.
That’s the point I was making with regard to the inspiration of The Bible. The Bible is evidence. Examining the scriptures is the proof…..if you want to draw a distinction betweeen the two. In my dictionary, proof is listed as a synonym for evidence, and evidence is listed as a synonym for proof.
You say that men have been testing The Bible through higher criticism for a century and a half, and it does not pass the tests. You fail to mention just who these higher critics are, their background and belief, and what tests The Bible has failed. It’s easy to make charges. Can you back them up with proof?
Do we not accept the testimony of eye-witnesses in a court of law, unless there is reason to believe they are not trustworthy? Should we not accept the testimony of these holy men of God who claimed they were speaking the word of God, unless we have reason to believe they were not being truthful? If you do not accept their testimony, then it is up to you to prove they were lying. What ever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?
If you will take the time to honestly search the scriptures, you will be impressed with their Unity and Harmony, their Beauty and Influence, the Fulfillment of Prophecy, and the Scientific Foreknowledge, all of which we will examine in future articles.
What normally happens when organizations fail is a leadership change. One is needed now for Gilmer County, particularly for the high school. There is no evidence that citizens are getting value for their money over there with the disregardful performance scores our students are getting. Then too for the past few years there has been perpetual chaos with all types of problems, but nothing has been done by Ron Blankenship to effectively deal with issues. We have heard allegations about wild parties involving faculty and students, chronic down time with computer systems, low faculty and staff morale caused by fear, bullying, sex between faculty and students, grade changing and other forms of preferential treatment of students from rich and powerful families, wasteful spending, failure to solve the rash of bomb threats, and much more. Blankenship was the wrong person for the job because of his ties to the Butchers who helped achieve the State’s take over of our schools, getting him installed, and keeping him in the County. He needs to be replaced. While at it, why can’t another job be found for the principal so we can get a better one to lead with getting the new Common Core Standards started? Mr. Charles Heinlein, Dr. Phares, and Dr. Linger do you hear us or is it true that none of you care?
Many will concur with “I Agree”. Was it Einstein who gave us his definition of insanity? ‘Repeating the same thing over and over and expecting different results.‘
That was long before we had a Dee-Cee Department of Education.
He would likely apply his definition now to the American education system pretty much in the same fashion.
We have had that Department of Education how long now? and they still can’t get it right?
Lee,Cindy,Gary and Family so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing…as time goes by I hope you find comfort and healing your hearts all need,Bless each of you…
Brad, Kristie,Olivia
Mark & Makahla
Hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars spent on boards and task forces, studies and reports (not to mention a Governor’s Audit). Given massive and repeated failure the money would have been better spent on text books and Teachers.
Consolidation was NOT the answer. It’s been going on longer than most can remember with no real savings or educational improvement to show for it.
A moratorium on any consequences related to new and unproven programs is the right thing to do. It’s not as though there’s a history of getting much right when it comes to education.
Congratulations to Hunter Ashley for getting a 2nd place in the Discus throw. He may be a Freshman, but he can definately out throw a lot of sophmores, Juniors and seniors. Way to go Hunter. Practice always pays off. Proud of you.
West Virginia “is a full-fledged participant in the Common Core Standards program” according to >WVDOE Watcher<.
West Virginia is also a nearly, full-fledged failure incomparison to most other states. We have the reports that prove it too.
This is so simple. Even the writers of articles are blind or don’t wish to see it.
The State Board of Ed…..IF…...they were doing their job, the Governor would NOT need to be writing executive orders.
Clean out the BOE and employ people who have the knowledge to do the job.
We have how many years now of political appointees that are incompetent, poor or no result in progress?
There is no “one size fits all” educational model that will ever work because all people are unique individuals who learn a variety of ways. For the US to be a leader in education, the students need to be motivated to learn - not pigeon holed into groups and treated like a herd of cattle!
Ideas like Common Core have been percolating in the country for many years. It wasn’t until 2009 when the National Governors Association’s Center on Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers convinced their members to support an initiative to develop what they deemed to be voluntary, state-led standards, that it took root. The idea, however, that Common Core bubbled up from the states has shifted. A nonprofit group called “Achieve, Inc.“ stocked with federal standards advocates who’ve been around since many years, has been pointed to as designing the materials and the program’s progress has been spurred on by funding from, among others, the Gates Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. For an undertaking that claims to be state-generated and largely free of federal involvement Common Core twisted, becoming a foot in the door for federal Race to the Top dollars.
Here is the header of a neat little report by the WV BOE you might want to google. The Machiavellian quote is so true. As long as this State BOE retains control and keeps remodeling more of the same we will see the same results. When will the Legislature do the research necessary to make something new happen? Global 21, 21st Century, Next Gen, Common Core,at least eight years documented as more of the same.
A Chronicle of West Virginia’s Global21 Initiative
(2004-2011)
“Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.” Machiavelli
The boil advisory was lifted on Friday. Today, Sunday in Stouts Mills Area the water is brown and muddy! Is it safe to drink it? Should the advisory have been lifted so soon?
The writer’s “Internal Evidence” is one of the lamest pieces of sophistry I have ever seen.
To us the bible as proof of its own inspiration is, in logic, a classic example of circular reasoning. It is like saying “I’m right because I say I am”.
The writer confuses evidence with proof.
In the case of the blood, the blood is only the evidence; it is the scientific knowledge of blood that is the proof. The white granular substance is only the evidence; the lab test is the proof.
With regard to the bible, we have been testing the “thing itself’ through higher criticism for a century and a half and the “thing itself” does not pass the tests.
WV is a full-fledged participant in the new national Common Core Standards program. The confusion is caused by the State’s reference to the Next Generation program that is actually the Common Core Standards program for K-12 English learning arts and math. One advantage of joining the national program is that there will be on-line testing to determine how individual schools, and county school systems in WV compare with education outcomes, and the State’s overall performance can be compared to other states. The objective for Common Core is to strive to establish the USA as a world leader in education, something we lag badly with now.
Your government ‘sells’ this sort of stuff to make you feel good, when in actuality, its just more invasion into your life, causes bigger government, and in the end you have less input and they have more control?
I can just picture pans of them in the showcase at the local grocery store.
Not sure the effect it would have on this community. Doubt the store would have to reorder often.
It is the job of the Principal to make sure the drinking fountains are covered, water to the sinks turned off while providing hand-sanitizer and drinking water plus make sure any water used for meals or dishes has been boiled. Did they do it? Last time someone was too busy looking down their nose with a do what I want attitude. Last time they had no water at all.
Can we be certain that the children at Sand Fork are NOT drinking and washing their hands in the bad water?
By the way—-
What is the status/outcome of Superintendent Blankenship standing in defiance of the Health Department Order to close the Sand Fork School in April when there was not water, and the unsanitary conditions that resulted?
Has there been any testing of students and staff to determine if any hepatitis or other disease issues have resulted in the defiance of Health Department Order?
Next Generation CSO Crosswalk to 21st Century CSOs.
You can find this link on the WVDE web site.
“The Crosswalks Documents were created by the work groups in English Language Arts and Mathematics who studied the Common Core State Standards and then placed these standards into the West Virginia Framework for Next Generation Standards.“
WV does not plan to comply with Common Core.That was revealed from RESA at the last Gilmer County BOE meeting. They will institute Next Generation standards. RESA now has their own consortium. We are aware WV has joined multiple consortia that were funded by federal grant monies.
When all is said and done, the WV BOE must be the ones held accountable for passing or failing to meet national standards. Right now deferral from meeting NCLB requirements another year is pending. Nothing shows it will ever happen.
Does any of this improve the educational future of WV children? Westest results in Gilmer County declined during the past two years ofintervention.
You can spend a lifetime following the political money trail,never be bored and often upset.That can only be changed at the ballot box. One of the most fundamentally important questions on the table right now should be, are the children getting true value for tax dollars spent on education today?
Congratulations to Hunter Ashley for getting a 2nd place in the Discus throw. He may be a Freshman, but he can definately out throw a lot of sophmores, Juniors and seniors. Way to go Hunter. Practice always pays off. Proud of you.