Around
Our State
Discover WVU Extension programs at the
State Fair of West Virginia
Barbour County
4-H’ers earn top
rankings
West Virginia University
Extension Service Barbour
County 4-H’ers recently
dug deep to find themselves
at the top of the rankings
at the National Land, Range
and Homesite Evaluation
Contest held in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma.
Land judging and homesite
evaluation programs
educate youths about soil
properties, management and
suitability for homebuilding,
proper land utilization and
conservation, water and the
environment. These practices
are used when building
homes or for farming and
agricultural purposes.
The team, coached by retired
Barbour County WVU
Extension Agent Roger
Nestor, was comprised of
Emily Farnsworth,
Nathan Baldwin,
Ivy Ward and
Josh Kaiser.
T
his year’s State Fair of West Virginia
takes place from Friday, August 12
through Sunday, August 21. But, did you
know that as you walk through the state
fair, you’re surrounded by the work of
the West Virginia University Extension
Service?
Our experts and educational
programs are scattered
around the fairgrounds,
and we’ve got a hand
in some essential fair
happenings – from
animal showmanship
to educational activities
and blue-ribbon projects
to gardens on the grounds.
Much like your community, WVU
Extension is everywhere in ways that
you may not be aware of.
Join us in the barns to see a variety
of goats, pigs, sheep and cattle. It’s
more than just a cute, furry face – it’s
a demonstration of a 4-H’er’s knowledge
about animal genetics, nutrition and
showmanship. Youth agriculture programs
offered through the WVU Extension
Service reach a peak at the state fair with
some of the largest shows and sales in the
state. Youths from all corners of the state
work hard year-round to prepare and
show their animals at these events.
But, Extension’s presence isn’t confined to
agriculture. In the Cecil H. Underwood
Youth Center, you can view more than
2,500 4-H projects on exhibit from
West Virginia youths. The projects cover
everything from food products to rocketry
and all have already won blue ribbons
on the county level, so each and every
one demonstrates a high level of learning
about science, health, agriculture and
citizenship.
In addition to traditional exhibits, there
is a more interactive component at the
Summer 2016
talent stage. There, 4-H’ers will display
more performance-oriented talents, such
as singing, public speaking and acting.
You may also catch a glimpse of the 4-H
Dance Ambassadors, which celebrate the
history of West Virginia’s folk dancing
culture through performances you can
tap your toes along to.
Children can also engage with
a variety of educational programs,
including hands-on activities that
make science, technology,
engineering and math fun
for all ages.
True to any fair, the fun
(and learning) doesn’t end there.
Head down to the WVU Building to see
everything WVU has to offer by visiting
with the colleges and representatives from
across the University. Rumor has it, you
can even catch the new Mountaineer and
WVU President Gordon Gee for a selfie.
While learning about WVU programs,
you can play a variety of games with
Extension faculty and staff, pick up some
WVU giveaways and meet face-to-face
with faculty and staff that help bring
Extension programs to communities
around the state.
Once you venture outside the building,
be sure to check out the Master Gardener
display right across from the building.
Master Gardeners from around the state
travel to the fairgrounds to volunteer in
the garden and provide on-site assistance
by providing tours, showing off the
displays and answering horticultural
questions.
The State Fair of West Virginia offers
something for everyone, and we hope
that you’ll join us in celebrating and
discovering the best of what our programs
have to offer. You can learn more about
the WVU Extension Service at the fair
at ext.wvu.edu/events/state-fair.
Insert provided by WVU Extension Service and Davis College of Ag., Natural Resources, and Design
16 West Virginia Farm Bureau News