West Virginia Girls Who Code 4-H Club earns spot in Facebook hackathon

Today’s youths are in tune with and committed to a variety of social issues facing our nation and world. A group of West Virginia 4-H’ers is using their savvy computer and coding know-how to virtually address one of those critical issues – stereotypes. Their work has earned them one of 40 spots nationwide in a Facebook hackathon.

The Kanawha County Plane Janes Girls Who Code 4-H Club, hosted at the Kanawha County WVU Extension Service office, recently participated in Facebook’s Engineer for the Week, a program aimed at demystifying the world of technology while empowering youths to explore engineering and develop computer science skills.

WVU Extension Service partners with the Polaris Foundation to improve ATV safety

It’s a common sight in much of West Virginia — ATVs and UTVs rushing up secondary roads, riding along forest trails and running across the hills. Given their popularity, the West Virginia University Extension Service is teaming up with the Polaris Foundation to improve safe riding practices and help reduce injuries and accidents.

This initiative is of importance as West Virginia leads the nation in the number of ATV- and UTV-related deaths per capita with rates eight times the national average.

Community Leadership Academy engages leaders to encourage change, promote prosperity

As communities work together to improve lives and promote growth for their fellow West Virginians, West Virginia University Extension Service is providing tools and resources to assist with those efforts.

Through the Community Leadership Academy, leaders come together to enhance their skills on a variety of topics aimed at helping their communities. Topics range from education and volunteerism to financial management and economic development. David C. Hardesty Jr., WVU president emeritus, will share his leadership experiences and tips with attendees as the keynote address (May 2).

West Virginia 4-H and the EQT Foundation enable WVU student to find academic success

Throughout the past few years, 4-H programming has adapted to include robotics and other STEM activities in order to meet the growing demand for jobs related to these fields. While traditional activities are still offered, the West Virginia University Extension Service 4-H curriculum continues to give youths an opportunity to learn about emerging topics.

That’s where Ethan Meighen’s academic story started. He started in 4-H like many do, joining a club and then going to county and state camps. Songs in Council Circle complimented a diverse offering of activities to choose from – including Lego robotics, which he directly attributes to his career path.

WVU Extension Service announces agriculture and natural resources faculty and staff changes

The West Virginia University Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources program unit is growing in strength and numbers.

Sarah Owen joined the WVU Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources team as the 4-H youth agriculture program coordinator, a role for which her expertise and experience have well equipped her.

On the faculty side, Jesica Streets, WVU Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent in Tucker County, was promoted from agent-in-training to Extension instructor, a tenure-track position.

Camp Challenge starts May 1

It’s scholarship season, 4-H’ers! And, we are calling for your help to raise money in support of fellow campers. 

In the spirit of friendly camp competition, we are inviting you to be a part of the Camp Challenge. You can leave a legacy for generations of West Virginia 4-H’ers to come by supporting 4-H camp scholarships. 

The Challenge officially kicks off May 1, and tribes will compete until May 31. Visit http://advancing.wvu.edu/g/4H  to support your tribe or to help send a youth to camp!

The winning tribe will get special recognition during the summer 2019 camping season. 

Help West Virginia youths have summer experiences through camp scholarships that otherwise would not be available to them. Make your gift to the Camp Challenge today! 

How! How! 

Outspoken for 4-H raising funds to support the Barbara Teter 4-H Camp Scholarship Fund

The Outspoken for 4-H fundraising bicycle ride is about to take to the highways again to raise money for 4-H members. The 2019 ride supports the Barbara Teter 4-H Camp Scholarship Fund, which provides state 4-H camp scholarships with preference given to Randolph County 4-H members. This fund began when Barb passed away on May 6, 2017 and will be fully endowed when donations reach $25,000 over the next four years.

The Outspoken for 4-H riders and crew are dedicated 4-H members, leaders and supporters who demonstrate their love of 4-H and its empowerment of youth by tackling West Virginia’s beautiful but challenging terrain.  Barb Teter was a co-founder of Outspoken for 4-H, and she was a vital supporter and volunteer for the event for 12 years.

The 2019 ride will be based out of Randolph County 4-H Camp with bike routes through Randolph County and into adjoining counties. The event will take place from May 30 to June 2.

Reminder: Benefits open enrollment now taking place

Remember, WVU employee benefits open enrollment runs until May 15. This is your only opportunity to make changes to your elected insurance benefits for the 2020 plan year without a qualifying life event. All changes for the 2020 plan year will be effective July 1, 2019.

Open enrollment also is a good time to review and make updates to your dependent and beneficiary information.

Benefits specialists will be available at various locations across WVU’s Morgantown campus at Benefit Information Tables during the weeks of April 28 and May 5 to assist employees with any open enrollment questions. You can also contact Benefits Administration at benefits@mail.wvu.edu or 304.293.5700 x 4. 

West Virginia University announces VSIP program for eligible faculty and staff

As part of the continuing efforts to prioritize funding for investment in the most strategic initiatives, West Virginia University is launching a Voluntary Separation Incentive Plan program for eligible faculty and staff. Through the program, the University may offer a lump-sum incentive payment to eligible faculty and staff, who in return would agree to separate from employment with WVU either by resignation or retirement. The University will hold Campus Conversations Thursday and Friday to discuss the VSIP program in more detail.

What's happening with @WVUExtension

Second annual Demo Day to be held on April 25

The WVU Idea Hub invites you to attend the second annual Demo Day on April 25, taking place across all Morgantown campuses. It also happens to be “Bring Your Child to Work” Day, so bring your kids and encourage others to do the same! **Please check with your supervisor for approval prior to bringing your child to work.** 
 
From pitch competitions, expos on social issues, interactive exhibits, prototype stations and engineering showcases to fashion and design displays, lemonade stands and open houses, there will be opportunities for all ages and professions to join in and embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, design and inventions across the University.
 
Free Demo Day parking will be available at the WVU Coliseum, and a complimentary shuttle will transport attendees to the various Demo Day locations across campuses.
 

Prepping fields for production

The West Virginia University Extension Service is addressing the unusually wet weather and how it can indeed make life difficult for West Virginia farmers.

In the summer, heavy excessive rain can hinder a farmer’s ability to grow and harvest hay. In the winter, the wet conditions make it harder to feed hay. This results in the destruction of sod and increased mud around feeding areas. 

“This past winter has been very wet without extended periods of freezing temperatures. This has resulted in significant rutting and feeding damage to fields. This damage needs to be repaired to prevent erosion and return the fields to a productive status,” said WVU Extension Agent John Murray. 

Community shines with help of more than 100 volunteers

The community is a little cleaner thanks to all of the outstanding work of the volunteers, during the April 13 county-wide cleanup, Bring Back the Shine.

Organizers revealed that the cleanup was more successful than anyone anticipated.

Dumpsters placed in four different locations throughout Taylor County were all on their way to becoming full the morning of the cleanup.

Many volunteers spent countless hours planning and setting up the event. Thanks to our Extension staff and volunteers for your efforts with this project!

The shifting landscape of Eastern Panhandle agriculture

On a bright, cold day before spring, Stephen Miller, owner of Rellim Orchard in Jefferson County, reminisced about “the good old days” of Jefferson County farming and orchards. He recalled the land that used to be full of carefully pruned fruit trees, and he named the land that has now been taken over by housing developments.

Miller can remember the large regional West Virginia Horticultural Society meetings with more than 300 members, and the local fruit grower's meetings with at least 60 to 70 farmers and agriculturalists at every gathering.

Berkeley-Jefferson County Extension Master Gardeners win Excellence Award

The Berkeley-Jefferson County Extension Master Gardener speakers bureau won the Team Excellence Award for Community Service at the 2019 West Virginia Extension Master Gardener Conference on April 6.

Student credits 4-H for igniting her passion for education and the environment

Each year, our 4-H program reaches tens of thousands of youths throughout West Virginia. The experiences, life skills and friendships help prepare these young people for their future. 4-H’er Hannah Smith is one of those young people. She attended a spring break trip to the Chesapeake Bay in 2012, which was organized by our very own Julie Tritz and Don Dransfield.
 
It was that trip that sparked Hannah’s interest in environmental/water education. Hannah plans to pursue her master’s degree in that field at Duke University beginning this fall.
 
The work of Extension truly matters. Sometimes these stories are great reminders that the outreach, education and experiences WVU Extension Service provides to our West Virginia communities changes lives. Keep up the great work!

New Hires

• Patrick Donnelly, Research Assistant - Timber Safe Grant, FCD
• Spring Swiger, Administrative Assistant, Doddridge County
• Shelly Neason, Campus Service Worker Lead, Jackson’s Mill (effective April 29)
• Rebecca Kniley, Nutrition Outreach Instructor - FNP, Randolph and Upshur counties (effective April 29)
• Abel Frohnapfel, Program Assistant - 4-H, Marshall County (effective May 1)

Departures

• Alycia Short, Campus Service Worker, Jackson’s Mill
• Erin Gregory, Administrative Assistant, Dean’s Office (effective May 3)

Catastrophic Leave

• Karen Bright