A lifelong 4-H’er received top honors from West Virginia University when she was one of only eight seniors inducted into the Order of Augusta this spring.

Caroline Bailey, a St. Marys native and WVU senior, was recognized for her contributions and achievements in scholarship, leadership and service.

Bailey joined the Cher-Mi-Del-Sen 4-H Club, run by the WVU Extension Service, in 3rd grade. It was through the club that she developed a passion for giving back to the community.

“Service has always been important to me but 4-H really helped me discover that,” Bailey said.

She also became active in 4-H camp programs, taking part in both county and state camps.

“Camp creates a bond amongst the campers,” she said. “It’s something you can’t experience anywhere else. It gave me a chance to learn from people my age who were from different schools and communities than I was. I developed a support system of my peers. “

Those ties continue to hold true even as Bailey prepares to graduate college. She roomed with a fellow 4-H’er from state camp when she came to WVU. She’s also a member of the University’s Collegiate 4-H Club which was recently named the National 4-H Collegiate Club of the Year and the WVU Student Organization of the Year.

Bailey attributes much of her passion for service and citizenship learning to her time in 4-H. The aspiring politician remembers the moment she first knew she wanted to pursue a career that could help her better the world.

“I realized I wanted to go into politics while attending the National 4-H Conference in Washington, DC,” she said. The program allows youths to visit with senators and state delegates to talk to them about the importance of 4-H.

“It was sitting in Senator Byrd’s office that I had that moment where I knew I wanted to make a change in the world through politics and government,” she said.

Bailey isn’t worried about the speeches or public appearances that could accompany that type of position. She says 4-H has prepared her for those tasks.

“4-H taught me how to filter and focus my messages to make me a more effective public speaker,” Bailey said. “I was never shy but presentations at club meetings and leading skits at camps helped me to gain confidence when I was in front of a group.”

Her advice to current 4-H’ers and youth is to “put yourself out there.”

“4-H gives you so many opportunities but you can’t be afraid to seize them. Do something that’s outside of your comfort zone, whether it’s leading a skit or doing a demonstration; don’t be afraid to take charge,” she said.

When it comes to finding success through 4-H or higher education, Bailey has a suggestion to children and parents, alike.

“Find your niche. Find what makes you happy and that you’re interested in. Run with it and don’t be afraid.”

The 4-H program is offered at no cost to people in all 55 counties throughout the state. For information on joining a local club contact you county office of the WVU Extension Service.

Teens can now register for the 2013 West Virginia State Conservation Camp which combines outdoor recreation activities with environmental and conservation education.

The camp takes place June 10 – 15 at Camp Caesar in Webster County. Registration is available to teens between the ages of 14 and 19 by visiting www.wvconservationcamp.com, or by calling WVU Extension Specialist Ben Spong at 304-293-9425. Priority deadline is June 1.

The cost for the camp is $185. Scholarships may be available to those who qualify.

The annual environment-focused experience introduces teens to West Virginia’s natural resources and to the social and economic benefits associated with wisely using and managing the state’s resources.

Campers from across the state participate in a week of interactive workshops, assemblies, outdoor recreation, evening campfires and social events.

Morning class sessions cover topics such as wildlife management, fish management, forest protection, forest products, conservation law enforcement, nature awareness, watershed management, and parks and recreation.

During the afternoons, campers choose from among several classes in outdoor recreation activities, such as trap shooting, archery, rowing, outdoor cooking, fishing, rifle marksmanship and rappelling.

Camp instructors are natural resource professionals who, in addition to covering their subject matter, also introduce participants to career opportunities, educational requirements and suggestions for selecting appropriate post-secondary educational institutions for campers’ respective natural resource fields of interest.

Many of the campers attending State Conservation Camp receive a scholarship that covers all or part of the $185 camp fee. Scholarships are provided by garden clubs, conservation districts, hunting or fishing clubs, civic and youth organizations and similar groups.

For those who don’t meet the minimum age requirement for the Camp, Spong suggests looking at camp alternatives, such as the W.Va. Dept. of Environmental Protection’s Junior Conservation Camp at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Jackson County. Contact Diana Haid at Diana.k.haid@wv.gov for more information.

West Virginia State Conservation Camp is supported by the West Virginia University Extension Service and other local, state, and federal agencies with natural resources management responsibilities.

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Media contact
Cassie Waugh
Cassie.waugh@mail.wvu.edu
Office: 304-293-8735
Cell: 304-376-1829

By Alex Straight, WVU Extension Service Ritchie and Doddridge County agriculture agent

Hunting the elusive morel mushroom is half sport and half art form. Much like fishing or other outdoor activities, nature isn’t always on your side when starting the hunt. Outdoor enthusiasts will tell you that it’s that very fact that makes the hunt for morel mushrooms so much fun! If it was as easy as going to the store it would not be as exhilarating. There is great thrill and excitement to poking through the woods and searching through trees and underbrush in search of the tasty morel.

Where you find one morel, you’re likely to find several growing nearby. This is because the mushroom has an underground root system that relies on the proper conditions to flourish.

Moisture, temperature, and other factors dictate when and if the mushroom will “pop.” Depending on the conditions, an area that is dense with mushrooms one year might bear none the following year.

Morel mushrooms typically start popping in April when the temperatures climb into 60s during the day and are no colder than the 40s at night.

The best time to start your hunt is right after a rain. Look near streams and riverbeds, in wooded areas, around fallen timber that has been decaying, and around brambles and thick brush.

Take a mesh bag, like you would use for onions or potatoes, when you hunt for mushrooms. This is very important because morels spread thru spores, which shake loose as they are jostled about. The mesh allows the spores to fall to the ground and will encourage more mushrooms in the future.

Most important, make sure you know exactly which mushroom you are looking for. Take an identification guide book with you. Only pick and eat mushrooms that have been definitely identified as morel mushrooms. There are many poisonous mushrooms and this part of the process should not be taken lightly. When in doubt, don’t eat the mushroom; leave it in the forest or check with an expert in the field.

Storage

Morel storage tips from the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service

1. Wipe mushrooms gently with a damp cloth or soft brush to remove dirt, debris and insects.
2. Refrigerate debugged mushrooms between 34– 35°F. Wrap them in a paper bag or waxed paper. Nonporous plastic bags are not the best choice as plastic accelerates mushroom deterioration.
3. Do not wash morels before storage. Mushrooms absorb water and the additional water will hasten deterioration. Mushrooms may absorb odors if stored near foods like onions.
4. Refrigerated, fresh mushrooms will keep for 2 to 3 days. For longer storage, mushrooms should be frozen or dried.

View the PDF for additional information on cooking and preparing the mushroom.

West Virginians are encouraged to wear purple on Monday, April 15, in support of military children and their family members who serve.

The event, known as “Purple Up!” helps raise awareness for the state’s 8,000 military families, according to Laura Davis, WVU Extension Service’s Operation Military Kids representative.

“More than 6,500 children in our state have one or more parents who serve in our military,” Davis said. “This is just a small way to show those kids that the community is here for them. We know how difficult it can be for the children when a parent is called to serve.”

Operation Military Kids is a collaborative between WVU Extension Service and the U.S. Army. It helps connect military children with local resources to enhance their well-being and garner a sense of community.

In West Virginia, the program provides mobile technology labs to help connect children with their family members who are deployed. The lab contains laptop computers, digital and video cameras and software to help youth send personal messages to their loved ones.

Camps, babysitting training, public speaking programs and youth leadership development opportunities are available to children of military families through Operation Military Kids.

Other military outreach programs are also delivered through a collaboration with West Virginia State University. In North Central West Virginia, families can use health journals to help record their families’ medical history. The project is carried out through a grant from W.Va. State University and West Virginia’s Family Resource Network.

“Military families frequently relocate,” Becky Mowbray Smith, WVU Extension Service Harrison County agent, said. “It can be difficult to keep track of your medical records and to make sure they’re transferred when you move. This journal empowers families to keep their own records and make the transition to a new doctor a little easier.”

Purple Up! should help to raise awareness for the availability of these programs, said Smith.

Community members are encouraged to dress in purple due to its significance for military families. The color purple is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue, according to Davis.

For more information on ways you can Purple Up! For Military kids, or get involved with Operation: Military Kids, contact Laura Davis at laura.davis@mailwvu.edu, or call 304-406-7020.

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Media contact
Cassie Waugh
cassie.waugh@mail.wvu.edu
Office: 304-293-8735
Cell: 304-376-1829

Training is underway for a 250 mile bike ride across West Virginia to help raise scholarship money to help send youths to 4-H camp programs. The 25 riders participating in Outspoken for 4-H hope to raise $20,000 by the event kickoff on
June 13.

“4-H camp is such a great experience. We never want to see a kid who can’t come to state 4-H camp because their family can’t afford it,” said James Grantham, a lifelong 4-H’er from Jefferson County and one of the event organizers.

Celebrating its 10th year, the ride has enjoyed much success ensuring campers can attend camp at a low cost. Over the past ten years, Outspoken cyclists have raised more than $50,000.

Many 4-H’ers take part in the event as riders or volunteers. Twenty-two cyclists crossed the state last year, stopping at county 4-H camps to promote healthy lifestyles and show their 4-H pride. The ride finishes at Older Members Conference State 4-H Camp at West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill near Weston, W.Va.

“We greatly appreciate all the support we have had over the years. We have great supporters who volunteer to help or donate to our cause,” said Grantham. “We are happy that we have helped change a few lives through the money this event has raised.”

Supporters of 4-H and Outspoken have three ways to contribute to the fund.

A donation form can be downloaded at www.OutspokenFor4H.ext.wvu.edu. Instructions for mailing the form are also available on the website.

Donors can visit www.development.ext.wvu.edu and click on the Outspoken button to make a donation through an online form.

Finally, donors can simply text ‘WVU Bike’ to the number 85944, to give $10 to the 4-H Annual Fund. Your texted gift will go to support the Outspoken cyclists and 4-H campers. Some mobile phone carriers might not support mobile giving; check with your carrier before texting. Standard messaging rates apply.

To give in support of state 4-H camps, or to become “Outspoken for 4-H” and participate in the ride, contact the WVU Extension Service Development Office at 304-293-5692, or email Andrew Barnes at Andrew.Barnes@mail.wvu.edu.

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Media Contact:
Cassie Waugh
Cassie.Waugh@mail.wvu.edu
Office: 304-293-8735
Cell: 304-376-1829

Applications are now being accepted for summer positions in a unique statewide program administered by the West Virginia University Extension Service and AmeriCorps that helps 3,000 West Virginia children maintain and improve their reading skills.

AmeriCorps is recruiting mentors and community coordinators for Energy Express, an award-winning, 8-week program offered in rural and low-income West Virginia communities.

The program is designed to provide learning opportunities and nutrition during the summer months, when children are most at risk for falling behind on reading levels – a preventable loss known as the “summer slide.”

There are two ways in which people can serve Energy Express through AmeriCorps: as a mentor or community coordinator.

Energy Express mentors are college, or college-bound, students make learning fun for small groups of school-age children by creating a safe, enriching environment focused on reading, writing, art and drama.

In addition to the learning activities, mentors eat nutritious, family-style meals with children, make family visits and complete a community service project.

“Our activities help create a special bond between the mentor and the children,” Alicia Cassels, literacy and academic success specialist with West Virginia University’s Extension Service – a partner in the Energy Express. “This program is designed to help shape the lives of the children who the mentors serve, but in the process, we find that the mentors often have a life-changing experience, too.”

The community coordinator recruits volunteers to assist Energy Express children during reading, writing, art, drama and non-competitive recreation activities.

Other community coordinator duties include raising awareness and involving the community and family members in children’s learning. Each community coordinator will also complete a community service project with other Energy Express AmeriCorps members.

“Energy Express is about impacting children’s lives, but it also has a huge impact on the lives of the volunteers,”Cassels said. “When community members work together to help children succeed it makes for a better experience; and we depend on our community coordinators to help us build those relationships.”

In return for their 300 hours of service, AmeriCorps mentors and community coordinators receive a $1,850 summer living allowance and a $1,175 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award valid for up to seven years to pay for college tuition or loans.

Each summer, AmeriCorps engages college-bound graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled college students to serve communities in need. AmeriCorps’ Energy Express mentors must be at least 18 years of age before June 13.

Community coordinators must also be 18 years of age by the above date. However, these positions are not limited to college students.

Applications for both positions are available online at www.energyexpress.wvu.edu, or by calling 304-293-3855. The selection process begins March 1. Applications are accepted until all positions are filled.

Energy Express is a program under the leadership of WVU Extension Service’s 4-H Youth Development program. This AmeriCorps program is funded, in part, by grants from the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts and Volunteer West Virginia. Volunteer West Virginia encourages West Virginians of all ages and abilities to be involved in service to their communities.

Based on the success of Energy Express participants and the unique aspects of the program, the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University named Energy Express program one of the nation’s best summer learning programs in 2009.

For more information about becoming an Energy Express community coordinator, visit www.energyexpress.wvu.edu, or call 304-293-3855.

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caw12/1/13

Media contact
Cassie Waugh
Office: 304.293.8735
Cell: 304.376.1829
cassie.waugh@mail.wvu.edu

Aquaculture producers, regulators and educators are encouraged to attend a two-day conference hosted by the West Virginia University Extension Service. The 2013 Aquaculture Forum takes place on Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan 26. at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg, W.Va.

The forum will have sessions for people who grow fish for profit or for fun. Posters and West Virginia aquaculture products will also be on display at the event.

The session topics range from research highlights to marketing strategies. Commercial aquaponics, pond construction, weed control and water quality will also be addressed.

A supplementary field trip to the USDA’s National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture will take place on the evening of the 25th. The Center’s research programs focus primarily on rainbow trout and include applied genetics and breeding, culture and management and product quality.

A $45 registration fee is required by Tuesday, Jan.15. The cost includes the registration fee for the two-day conference and lunch on both days. The field trip is provided at no additional cost.

For more information visit www.aquaculture.ext.wvu.edu/events. To register contact Becky Casteel (becky.casteel@mail.wvu.edu) at 304-293-2565, or Ken Semmens (ken.semmens@mail.wvu.edu) at 304-293-2657.

The event is sponsored by the WVU Extension Service; Penn Ag Industries; the West Virginia Dept. of Agriculture; the West Virginia Aquaculture Association; the Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture; and the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.

Connecting the people of West Virginia to the University’s resources and programs is the primary goal of WVU Extension Service and its 55 offices throughout the state. Local experts, like WVU Extension’s agents and specialists, work to help improve the lifestyles and well-being of youths, workforces, communities, farms and businesses through trusted research in the counties in which they serve.

To learn more about WVU Extension programs, visit www.ext.wvu.edu, or contact your local office of the WVU Extension Service.

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caw—01/07/13

Cassie Waugh
cassie.waugh@mail.wvu.edu
Office: 304-293-8735
Cell: 304-376-1829

WVU Extension Service’s Bill Richardson doesn’t always have a “magic bullet” for bringing tourism and publicity to the southern part of the state. However, the Community, Economic and Workforce Development was right on target when he contact the National Geographic Channel’s “Diggers” with an opportunity.

Richardson invited the television show’s archeological crews to dig at the site of the Hatfield-McCoy feud. A dig that resulted in everything from the families’ wash basins to bullets believed to have been fired the morning of the legendary New Year’s battle in 1888.

As a professor with WVU Extension Service, Richardson works to build collaborations on local, state, and national levels to provide business opportunities to Mingo County and beyond.

To read more about the publicity and Richardson’s work visit the following sites.

• Artifacts found date back to Hatfield, McCoy feud
• New cable show to feature historic finds at Randall McCoy home
• The homestead burned to the ground by Hatfields in legendary family feud with McCoys 125 years ago during New Year’s Day massacre
• Bullets found in Ky. help pinpoint location of key Hatfield-McCoy battle
• National Geographic to feature Hatfield-McCoy artifacts
• Hatfield McCoy Feud Artifacts Discovered
• Discovery of historic artifacts from Hatfield and McCoy Feud announced
• Uncovering History in the Hatfield-McCoy Feud
• Artifacts help pinpoint key Hatfield-McCoy battle

New and existing farmers can learn to make the most of their resources and ways to expand their enterprises at a day-long intensive training on Saturday, Jan. 26 in Glenville, W.Va.

The Farm Opportunities Day training helps farmers to maximize their business potential for small farms through trusted training from state and local experts. The training takes place from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Mollohan Community Center on the Glenville State College campus.

Participants can attend one of four course tracks designed to cater to their training needs. The tracks include value-added animal production and marketing; season extension and institutional marketing; farm business management; and risk management.

Registration is available by calling your local county office of the WVU Extension Service, or by printing a copy of the registration form at www.anr.ext.wvu.edu/farm-opportunities.

In addition to the training, participants will have the opportunity to network with nearly 20 businesses, organizations and outreach institutions during a structured resource fair.

The registration fee is $10 for those registered by Jan. 16. For registrations received after Jan. 16, the cost is $20.

Those under the age of 18 are admitted free but must still register.

Limited resource scholarships may be available to those who qualify; contact your local WVU Extension Service office to learn more.

Lunch and breaks are provided and will feature locally grown and sourced foods courtesy of the WVU Extension Service Small Farm Center.

The training is hosted by WVU Extension Service, Glenville State College, the WVU Extension Small Farms Center and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center.

Connecting the people of West Virginia to the University’s resources and programs is the primary goal of WVU Extension Service and its 55 offices throughout the state. Local experts, like WVU Extension’s agents and specialists, work to help improve the lifestyles and well-being of youths, workforces, communities, farms and businesses through trusted research in the counties in which they serve.

For more information visit www.anr.ext.wvu.edu/farm-opportunities, or contact your local office of the WVU Extension Service.

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caw

Contact:
Cassie Waugh
cassie.waugh@mail.wvu.edu
Office: 304-293-8735
Cell:304-376-1829

by John Porter, WVU Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Kanawha County

Thoughts of the holidays may bring to mind certain traditional plants associated with the holidays. These plants typically evoke a sense of tradition and hearken back to holidays long ago. Some, such as the poinsettia, are common and form the core of traditional holiday decorating. Others, such as the Christmas cactus, amaryllis and paperwhites, are much less common but offer great holiday decorating and gifting ideas.

Poinsettias

Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not toxic to either humans or pets. This myth has been in circulation for a while now, and a great deal of research and case studies are available that debunk the claims. Ingesting parts of poinsettias may cause mild stomach upset in both humans and pets, but do not have any fatal effect. The sap of the plant may cause a mild rash in the small percentage of people allergic to it, but otherwise causes no problems.

Poinsettias are a relatively easy to care for plant. They should be watered when the top layer of soil in the pot begins to dry and never be allowed to sit in water. Poinsettias should also be placed near a sunny window, but away from drafts or doors. The optimal temperature for poinsettias is 65-70°F. A temperature any lower than 60°F may cause leaves to drop. You should take great care in brining your poinsettia home, because even just a short exposure to cold temperatures can cause trouble. Poinsettias may be kept to rebloom in following years, but a multi-step, year-long schedule is needed to ensure blooming at Christmas.

Amaryllis

The Amaryllis is a stately addition to any holiday décor. The plant comes from a large bulb, which should be planted about 6 weeks before the desired bloom time. Amaryllis prefer to be pot bound, so a container about one inch larger than the bulb on all sides should be selected. When planting, place the bulb on the soil, which should be rich in organic matter, and mound the soil up so that the top half to third of the bulb is above the soil. The plant should be watered after the soil begins to dry. The blooming process may be speeded up by keeping the plant in a warm room, but moving it to a cooler location 55-65°F after blooming begins will make the blossoms more long lived.


After the blooms fade, the flower stalk can be cut off, leaving the foliage in place. To get the Amaryllis to bloom again the following year, it should be treated to normal houseplant conditions until late summer. At that time, place it in a cool but sunny place (like a basement window) and discontinue watering. After the foliage dries, it should be removed. The bulb can then be replanted six weeks before the desired bloom time.

Christmas Cactus

Despite the name, the Christmas cactus has little in common with the cacti of the desert. These plants, native to Central and South America, actually grow more like orchids and should be treated as such. They should be planted in a loose and airy soil mix and be well watered. They should be watered when the top inch of soil in the pot becomes dry. To initiate blooming, plants should be moved to a cool (55°F) but sunny place around the end of October. Depending on the variety, the cactus may bloom anytime from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Some varieties can even bloom around Easter.

Paperwhites

Paperwhites are typically associated with Amaryllis and are grown in much the same manner. These plants are actually a type of Narcissus and resemble their relatives the Daffodils. Kits are available that have around 5 bulbs in them. The bulbs can be planted in soil with the tops above the soil level, or even grown in a dish with small stones. This should be done 6-8 weeks before the desired bloom time. After planting, the pot or dish should be placed in a cool area to allow the roots to develop, and then moved to a warmer area. Paperwhites may become tall and need staked to keep from falling over. Flowers are usually white or white with orange centers and have a strong musky smell.

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