Volume 23, Number 15 – August 19, 2008
Register Now for WVU Extension’s State Horse Industry Meeting
Meeting Notes
People and Places
Thursday, Aug. 28, is the deadline to register for the first WVU Extension Service Statewide Horse Industry Meeting.
All horse owners and industry professionals are invited to bring their questions and suggestions to the free session, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the WVU Extension State Fire Training Academy, 2600 Old Mill Road, Weston.
The horse industry meeting will provide a first-ever forum for open discussion about the industry’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. The horse industry contributes more than $509 million in total industry output and is responsible for nearly 13,000 jobs in the state.
September’s session will provide all segments of the diverse industry a chance to highlight the needs of their discipline, group, or geographical area. The meeting also will serve as a foundation for planning new WVU Extension Service equine programs.
Representatives from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and other organizations will share information about services they offer.
Southern States Cooperative, which is sponsoring the luncheon, will also present a short equine nutrition lecture.
For more information or to register for the free meeting, contact Holly Spooner by phone (304-293-6131, ext. 4220) or by e-mail (holly.spooner@mail.wvu.edu).
… There’s still time to reserve a spot at the annual field day at Dave Miller’s Mountain Diamond Longhorn Farm near Tunnelton. The Aug. 23 event will feature many educational presentations, an apiary demonstration, and a pasture walk. The day will kick off at 9 a.m., and lunch will be served around noon. Call the Preston County WVU Extension Office (304-329-1391) to make a reservation.
… Registration is open for the 2008 Bridging the Gap with Education: Diabetes Symposium and Workshop, The symposium will be held Sept. 10–12 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Charleston. For details about the program, speakers, and registration, go to the Web site (www.ext.wvu.edu/dsw2008). If you have questions, contact Guen Brown via e-mail (gfbrown@mail.wvu.edu) or telephone (304 293-2796, ext. 3424).
… Rich Fleisher will be the host for two events on Saturday, Sept. 27. Alumni and friends of the International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) will have their annual gathering from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The annual Mark Dillon Endowment Pregame Tailgate, open to everyone, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Both events will be held at Rich’s home, 669 Bellaire Drive in Morgantown, preceding the WVU – Marshall football game.
… The 2008 Trout Culture Workshop will be held Oct. 6 and 7 at the Reymann Memorial Farm in Wardensville. Participants will learn about trout production in flowing water systems, which is the main type of aquaculture in West Virginia. Sponsors are WVU Extension and the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences. The workshop will be a hands-on experience for those who wish to learn how to grow, harvest, transport, and market trout. The workshop will feature classroom instruction and activities at a trout production facility. Participants also will learn how to fillet and cook fresh trout. The workshop is limited to 25 participants, and registration is on a first-come first-serve basis. The $30 registration fee includes lunch each day and dinner on Monday night. For more details, contact Ken Semmens (293-2631, ext. 4211; Ken.Semmens@mail.wvu.edu).
… Faculty and Staff Changes
Judy Cowell has been working since Aug. 8 as the office administrator with Families and Health. Most recently, Judy was the office administrator with the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development unit. Earlier, she held administrative associate positions in the Office of Communications and Technology and the Associate Provost’s Office. She has served on several WVU Extension committees. Her awards include the Chi Epsilon Sigma Professional Image Award, WVU Extension Service Diversity Award, and Diversity Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents. Judy earned a Regents bachelor’s degree from WVU in 2001.
Cindy Fitch joined the organization on a full-time basis Aug. 1 as Extension Specialist – Food and Nutrition. Cindy had been holding a part-time position with WVU Extension since Oct. 1, 2007, although she had worked with Extension programs throughout her years at WVU. Cindy was a 4-H member in her hometown of Hillsboro, Texas. She earned a B.S. degree in home economics from Texas Tech University, an M.S. degree in nutrition from Texas Woman’s University, and a Ph.D. in nutrition from Case Western Reserve University. Her previous experience includes working as a dietitian for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in Lubbock, Texas, and for children’s hospitals in Dallas, Texas, and Cleveland, Ohio. She came to WVU as an assistant professor of nutrition in 1999 and was promoted to associate professor in 2005.
Robin Maille resigned Aug. 7 from her position as WVU Extension agent in Monongalia County. She has moved to La Grande, Ore., with her husband and two children. Robin began working at WVU in 2004.
With the resignation of Robin Maille, Kelly Nix will spend a few days per week working out of the Monongalia County Extension Office over the next three months. Kelly will continue in her role as Extension family life specialist, but she is looking forward to getting firsthand experience in a county office.
On Aug. 1, John Murray moved from Doddridge, Gilmer, and Ritchie counties to Marion and Taylor counties. He will be based in the Marion County WVU Extension Office.
… Have You Heard?
A retirement celebration will be held for John Marra from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, in the 4-H/FFA Building at the W.Va. Pumpkin Park in Milton. Anyone wishing to send congratulations may mail them to the Cabell County WVU Extension Office at PO Box 219, Ona WV 25545.
Bill Richardson recently hosted nearly 60 Chinese students, chaperones, and translators during their educational visit to Mingo and Logan counties. The trip, which was part of an exchange sponsored by the United Nations, included middle school students from three provinces in China. The Chinese group was in the United States for two weeks and spent half their time in West Virginia. During their stay, the students learned about labor history, coal mining, American music, and much more. They also participated in swimming, sports, and other fun activities. Bill is working with U.N. representatives to make this an annual event.
The State of West Virginia has some new regulations involving travel. Check the Web (http://intranet.finance.wvu.edu/business/travel.cfm) for information about the regulations, various forms, and details about meal and per diem rates. If you have questions, contact the travel representative in your unit or call Finance and Business (304-293-2401). Finance and Business staff are available to provide travel training to faculty and staff.
… In the News
“I’ve come to feel at home at the State Fair of West Virginia,” said Hoppy Kercheval in a commentary for MetroNews after broadcasting from the fair last week. After enjoying his first experience at the fair last year, the popular host of the MetroNews Talkline show decided to attend the 2008 edition for three days. Hoppy said that the fair is many things—“but more than any one thing, it’s a place that is alive.” He described the young boys and girls—many of whom are in 4-H—camped out in the barns so they can care for their animals while waiting for them to be shown and then sold. “It’s clear after talking with a few of these kids that by raising their cows or sheep or pigs that they’ve learned something about responsibility and finances.” Tom McConnell and Jennifer Williams were among the folks Hoppy interviewed at the fair. Hoppy ended his commentary with this promise: “I’ll be back again next year.”
Tom McConnell was interviewed on MetroNews about a year-old Web site (wvfarm2u.org) that connects West Virginia growers with buyers, mainly in the restaurant business. Rom admitted that the program got off to a slow start. “Our farmers just don't have the confidence that they can make a living selling vegetables,” Tom told Talkline host Hoppy Kercheval. Currently, most farmers wait until they harvest their crop to look for a buyer. Tom said the farmers need to use the Web site, started by the W.Va. Department of Agriculture, to sell their produce beforehand. You may read the entire article and hear the interview with Tom on the MetroNews Web site (www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=25848).
… In Memoriam
Long-time 4-H supporter Lt. Col. James Kenneth “Ken” McDonald Sr. died Aug. 11 in Martinsburg. He was 83. He was a well-known orchardist, who served as past president of the National Peach Council, International Dwarfed Fruit Tree Association, and W.Va. Horticulture Society. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War. A leader of the Arden 4-H Club, Ken served as chief of the WV 4-H All Stars in 1980-81. He was the first national 4-H sheep shearing champion. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arden United Methodist Church, 4464 Arden Nollville Road, Martinsburg WV 25403.
… To Our Good Health
It is no surprise that Americans’ waistlines have grown, just as car seats, portions, and dinnerware have increased in size. Try these ways to avoid unnecessary calories: (1) put away your dinner-size plates; (2) eat meals on smaller plates; (3) make it a habit to always sit down to eat.
- from Elaine Bowen
Nutrition and Health Team
Important Program Planning and Reporting Date
See the full calendar on the Web (http://intranet.ext.wvu.edu/progdev/reportab.htm#dates08).
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Our Continuing Mission . . .
The mission of the West Virginia University Extension Service is to form learning partnerships with the people of West Virginia to enable them to improve their lives and communities. To these partnerships, we bring useful research- and experience-based knowledge that facilitates critical thinking and skill development.
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Submitted by Joyce Bower.
