West Virginia 4-H youth experience Eastern Woodland Indian traditions

This summer West Virginia 4-H campers learned about the first people to inhabit what is today the Mountain State. 

West Virginia University’s Native American Studies Program partnered with WVU Extension Service to host a Native American Eastern Woodland cultural expert at county 4-H camps in June.  

Let’s go…to the fair!

We’ll once again partner with the University to have a large presence of interactive exhibits, activities and games for visitors to the WVU Building at the State Fair of West Virginia from August 8 through August 17.
 
If you are interested in hosting an interactive exhibit during the fair, please complete the exhibitor form by Friday, July 19. Be sure to include some basic information about what your exhibit will include, as well as the dates you prefer.
 
Each year, we have more than 10,000 visitors to the WVU Building. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the great work we do and the collaborative efforts of our faculty and staff to improve lives of West Virginians.
 
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Tara Curtis.

Deadline extended for Annual Conference award nominations 

Annual Conference is just around the corner on Sept. 24-26 (with program unit meetings on Sept. 23). Just a reminder that attendance is mandatory for all employees. If anyone has a conflict, please submit to your supervisor ASAP for review by the Dean.

Due to the busy time of year in Extension, the deadline for award nominations has been extended until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30. 

Think about your past accomplishments and/or the outstanding efforts of a co-worker, and consider nominating yourself or a colleague for their creativity and dedication to our core mission.   
 
Nominations can be submitted at:
http://employees.extension.wvu.edu/administration/awards-recognition/excellence-awards

Stay tuned for more Annual Conference details to follow!

Additional 'floating' holiday available for WVU leave-eligible employees

Gov. Jim Justice issued executive orders declaring July 5, 2019 as an official holiday for state employees. The University has modified its holiday calendar to include an additional 7.5-hour “floating” holiday (pro-rated by FTE) for leave-eligible employees, effective July 5, 2019. 

Leave-eligible employees at all WVU’s campuses may request approval to use the floating holiday time – or any portion of it – through the MyTime leave system.

New guideline for Catastrophic Leave donations

Benefits Administration released a new Catastrophic Leave guideline that establishes a minimum 5-day donation requirement for all donations going to the Catastrophic Leave bank, effective September 1, 2019. Please note, this requirement applies to bank donations only--not donations to an individual.
 
If you have any questions, please reach out to MedicalManagement@mail.wvu.edu or 304.293.5700 x 8.

PEIA will adjust salary tiers on Aug. 1, 2019

Effective Aug.1, PEIA will once again adjust salary tiers upward by $2,700 for each tier in response to a request from Gov. Jim Justice in mid-June. 

To see if this change affects your premiums, an updated 2020 Shopper's Guide Premium Table is available on the PEIA website.

To view your current pay stub, visit portal.wvu.edu, click on MyHR and then Pay Statement.

Premium changes will be reflected in the Aug. 2 paycheck.

Questions may be directed to WVU Benefits Administration at benefits@mail.wvu.edu or 304.293.5700 x 4.

Important changes are coming to retirement programs for state employees

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has recently voted to approve important plan management changes that will benefit all participants of the Qualified 401(a) Plan, and the 403(b) and 457(b) Supplemental Plans.

There is no action required from employees at this time. In the coming weeks, plan participants will be receiving more information from the Commission and from TIAA about the changes. Employees may direct their questions to TIAA at 800.842.2252.

Ice cream for a good cause!

Dairy Queen’s annual Miracle Treat Day is coming up July 25 when $1, $2 or all proceeds from every blizzard bought at participating DQs across West Virginia will be donated to our local Children's Miracle Network Hospital, WVU Medicine Children’s. Like all CMN Hospital campaigns, donations raised stay in the community to help local kids. 

This is a wonderful chance to go out on your lunch break with co-workers for a sweet treat, or go after work to take your kids for a sweet summer treat while supporting a great cause.

Pre-orders also will be available, which is a great way to order multiple blizzards for a work luncheon, etc. For details about pre-orders, contact Samantha Denlinger, Children’s Miracle Network assistant director at WVU Medicine Children's, Samantha.denlinger@wvumedicine.org, 304.598.4346 x 3.

WVU Research Office to offer grant writing seminar

The WVU Research Office, along with college research offices, is hosting the annual "Write Winning Grant Proposals" seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 in the Law School Event Hall, Room 180.

The one-day seminar will be presented by John D. Robertson of Grant Writers' Seminars and Workshops, LLC. This widely acclaimed seminar comprehensively addresses both practical and conceptual aspects that are important to the proposal writing process. All new faculty, as well as all junior faculty who have not attended in the past, are encouraged to attend. 

Register for “Write Winning Grant Proposals.” The registration deadline is Sept.18.

Questions can be directed to Deanna.Messenger@mail.wvu.edu or by phone at 304.293.5913.

Nuffield Scholars — who hail from all over the world — tour West Virginia agriculture

Eleven recipients of the Nuffield International Farming Scholarship visited West Virginia to learn about farming operations across the Mountain State. This elite group of global agriculturalists is travelling the globe to expand their knowledge of the industry, as well as to learn about industry best practices.

WVU Extension Service Dean Sue Day-Perroots spent the day discussing the current state of West Virginia agriculture and the challenges our farmers face, all while learning about some of the challenges the Nuffield Scholars face in their own countries. The hope is that these conversations will result in potential solutions to the challenges the industry is facing across the globe.

WVU Extension helps Castle Creek Park celebrate 20 years of fun

Castle Creek Park was jam-packed last Wednesday afternoon and evening with families helping celebrate its 20^th year. The entire community was welcomed at the event and many of them showed up.

Castle Creek didn’t just offer its facilities; there were also booths with learning activities and takeaways for kids of all ages. 

The WVU Extension Service STEM Vistas had a table set up for making UV bracelets to help protect during this hot summer as well as bubbles to play with.

Randolph County schools adding edible landscaping features

West Virginia University Extension agents are working with Randolph County schools to encourage healthy eating from a young age.

Schools like Jennings Randolph Elementary in Elkins are adding edible landscaping; that’s things like the apple trees planted in front of the building.

Teachers and agents said the landscaping will provide both healthy foods and lessons in nutrition, among other topics.

Youth group helps West Virginia flood victims

The Sugar Grove Maple Leaves 4-H Club collected supplies earlier this month to donate to the victims of recent flooding in Randolph County.

Wesley Puffenbarger, with the club, said the chapter only started a few months ago but is already trying to help their neighbors as much as they can.

Energy Express provides summer learning and services

Energy Express is a six-week-long summer program established in 1995 to aid children in grades first through sixth in their reading and skills and nutrition education. This is a grant-funded, emersion program partnering West Virginia University Extension Service and AmeriCorps. Being such, this means there is no fee associated with participation, though slots are limited and fill up quickly.

Jesica Streets, Tucker County Extension agent, serves as the county contact for the program, with Site Supervisor Christine Ward, TVEMS certified fourth grade teacher, and Abigail Long, community coordinator.

Summer reading and nutrition program underway at Scarbro Head Start

Through a combination of healthy breakfasts, lunches and learning activities, the Energy Express program continues to improve the lives of children in Fayette County.

This year’s program began at Scarbro Head Start in mid-June. More than 30 children from Fayette County participated in the summer program, which is brought to counties by the West Virginia University Extension Service and AmeriCorps.

4-H campers prepare special farm-to-table VIP dinner

Campers at Camp Pioneer were preparing food last Wednesday for a special dinner.

Kids in the Farm Fresh Eats class at the 4-H summer camp last week were busily working on a couple of dishes for the annual VIP dinner, set for Wednesday evening. The dinner was planned to be a farm-to-table dinner.

“We invite our donors, the 4-H club organizational leaders and those who are very important to the 4-H program throughout the year. We have them for a dinner as a thank you,” said Hannah Fincham, West Virginia University Extension agent.

Brooke County farmer grows flavorful produce for health-minded customers

Living in the house that once belonged to his grandparents along Windy Hill Road near Windsor Heights in Brooke County, Eric Freeland operates a produce and berry farm that caters to the “health-minded”customer who’s looking to support local farmers.

“If people are interested in their health, they are probably interested in where their food comes from and there is a bigger push nationwide and worldwide for that,” said Freeland, who has been farming for nearly 40 years on property that has been in his family since the 1800s. “We’re growing some great food in some of the richest, most organic soil that is possible to make.”

New Hires

• Lisa Sidenstricker, Administrative Assistant, Wetzel County
• Joshua Moneypenny, Materials Handler, Jackson’s Mill (effective July 21)
• Linsey Ferguson, Agent-in-Training, Doddridge County (effective July 21)

• Cynthia Nucilli, Research Corp, Randolph County
• Emily Porter, Student Recruiter, Office of Dean/Director
• April Simpson, Nutrition Outreach Instructor - FNP, Kanawha County (effective July 19)
• Zane Lacko, Writer/Editor, Communications (effective August 2)

• Allison Nichols, Extension Specialist - Program Evaluation, will now report to Cindy Fitch.