Noteworthy News

Adults learn robotics for youth programs

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:16:29 EST

(Herald Dispatch) Several adults, both volunteers and employees with the West Virginia University Extension Offices in Wayne and Putnam counties, spent about six hours Monday at Kellogg Elementary learning about robotics.

Todd Ensign, the program manager for the NASA Educator Resource Center through Fairmont State University, travels throughout the state to teach adults about various programs so they can then lead after-school programs with youth.

“We train the trainers,” Ensign said.

Julie Tritz, the Wayne County extension agent, said they plan to use the program for after-school programs offered through 4-H.

WVU Extension Holds Open House

Mon, 07 May 2012 10:57:00 EST

(WBOY) West Virginia University’s Harrison County Extension Office opened its new doors to the public Friday.

The extension offices moved from the Harrison County Courthouse earlier this year to its new location by the 4-H center in Clarksburg.

Extension agents said the new location will help their programs serve the entire county better.

“It’s an opportunity to show the community how much more accessible we are to them. They’re able to come here, they’re able to park so much easier, and just gain access to the different things we do for them so much easier,” said Extension Agent Larry Campbell.

Regional produce growers offered food handling, agricultural practices training

Mon, 07 May 2012 10:56:00 EST

(Fayette Tribune) Regional fruit and vegetable growers are encouraged to attend a training session on food handling and agricultural practices.

The training takes place Tuesday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in room 1317 of the main building at WVU-Parkersburg in Parkersburg.

The training will help food producers ensure the quality and safety of the foods they grow and market. Topics covered include everything from food safety to production and delivery.

Energy Express at risk with loss of meal funds

Mon, 07 May 2012 10:55:00 EST

(News Tribune) The Mineral County Energy Express program is losing funding to provide meals for participating children. The program is in urgent need of sponsors and donors to be able to offer and breakfast and lunch to children in the program this summer.

The necessary grants and matching funds have been secured to operate four sites serving 232 children for five days a week during six weeks in June and July. However, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsor is no longer able to operate the family-style meal component of the program due to a shortfall in funding.

The SFSP program component is required, however, to operate an Energy Express site.

“The Energy Express program was created for the dual purpose of meeting children’s literacy and nutrition needs over the summer months,” says Margaret Miltenberger, WVU Extension Service 4-H agent.

WVU Extension, Gazette hope to inspire healthy habits in W.Va.

Mon, 07 May 2012 10:53:00 EST

(Charleston Gazette) A new website invites West Virginians to find help, inspiration and information to support healthier eating and exercise habits.

The site—livewellwv.org—is a project of the West Virginia University Extension Service and The Charleston Gazette. It grew out of an existing Extension web site and a collaboration with the Gazette’s “The Shape We’re In” project on obesity and chronic disease.

“LiveWell West Virginia, aims to inform, inspire, connect and encourage all West Virginians, wherever they are, on their journey toward ever more healthful days,” writes Ann Bailey Berry, associate director of the WVU Extension Service. “Because of this partnership and website, our wellness information is available through our offices in every county as well as online.”

Will Hatfield & McCoy feud bring tourists to W.Va.?

Tue, 01 May 2012 08:35:00 EST

(USA Today) Despite being more than 125 years old, the Hatfield & McCoy feud will be a surprisingly hot subject in the national media this spring and summer.

A host of cable series, shows and books will focus on one of the world’s most notorious feuds, most prominent among them a three-day History channel miniseries, The Hatfields and McCoys: An American Vendetta, starring Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton that begins airing Memorial Day, May 28.

On the coattails of what the channel bills as an “epic three-night event,” several of its other shows will do Hatfield and McCoy-themed programs. History’s popular American Pickers will lead up to the series with a program that recently brought hosts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz to the Mountain State, checking out some little-known feud memorabilia. How the States Got Their Shapes will tape a show of its own this June.

All this is music to the ears of Bill Richardson, who for years has toiled at turning the feud into tourism gold for West Virginia and has fingers in several of these projects.

Richardson, a West Virginia University Extension associate professor who does community development work in Mingo and Logan counties, also is a filmmaker, artist and author who, several years back, produced his own 57-minute Hatfield & McCoy documentary, Feud.

Registration Open for 2012 WV State Conservation Camp

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:58:00 EST

(WBOY) Registration is now open for the 2012 West Virginia State Conservation Camp that will take place June 11 through June 16 at Camp Caesar in Webster County, according to a news release from West Virginia University.

The camp combines outdoor recreation activities with conservation and environmental education.

Registration is open to teens between the ages of 14 and 19 and can be made by visiting www.wvconservationcamp.com or by calling WVU Extension Conservation Specialist and Camp Chairman Ben Spong at 304-293-9425, according to the release.

Gardening experts offer some advice for W.Va. growers

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:58:00 EST

(Coal Valley News) Producing a more abundant crop of tomatoes and cleaning up water pollution were just two hot trends that have local gardeners “going green.”

Dr. John Jett, of West Virginia University, suggests that a more abundant crop of tomatoes can be grown by grafting heirloom tomatoes onto other varieties of tomatoes.

“This helps protect the tomatoe against some soil fungi, diseases and nematodes,” he explains, saying the long-term result is a “better yield and earlier production due to the bigger root system.”

Cold prompts advice to safeguard plants, trash

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:07:00 EST

(Bluefield Daily Telegraph) Bears that have risen from their long winter naps saw on Monday morning the cold and snow they had tried to avoid.

The National Weather Service posted a freeze warning Monday for Mercer, McDowell and Monroe counties in West Virginia and Tazewell, Bland, Giles and Wythe counties in Virginia. Starting midnight Monday, it continues until 9 a.m. today. Forecasters expect temperatures in the low 30s to upper 20s. They also advise that freezing temperatures could kill sensitive plants.

A local extension agent said plants might not see too much damage because the low temperatures are supposed to be brief.

WVU Extension Starts Anti-Cyberbullying Campaign

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:08:00 EST

(WOAY-TV) The WVU Extension Service is working to launch a state-wide anti-cyberbullying campaign and school curriculum.

Their 4-H youth development specialists are developing the research based curriculum called iRespect. It’s aimed at preventing bullying online or by using other electronic communication devices. They’ll test the materials with youth focus groups nationwide. A state law took effect in 2011 making it illegal for a person to abuse or harass another person via computer, mobile phone, or other communication device. In addition to iRespect curriculum, training programs and a website are in the works…

Read more of this article from WOAY-TV…