3-2-2006 |
|
|
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) will participate in the first-ever Mineral Wells Lawn and Garden Exposition at the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition Grounds in Mineral Wells April 1-2, 2006. "Few people would realize how sizable the lawn and garden industry is in West Virginia and how involved the WVDA is in protecting it," said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. "Besides helping individuals with problems they might have, the Department also keeps a close eye on nurseries to help them keep dangerous plant diseases out of our state." The fairgrounds' multipurpose building will house the WVDA's booth, which will include "Ask the Expert," featuring WVDA Plant/Pest Biologist Berry Crutchfield, Ph.D., and Agricultural Survey Plant Pathologist Craig Trippett. Crutchfield will also give a presentation in the 4-H building Saturday, April 1, at 10 a.m. on common pests found in West Virginia and programs the WVDA operates to help homeowners identify and control them. Trippett will discuss diseases associated with woody ornamentals in the multipurpose building Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Marketing Specialist Brandy Brabham will be offering "A Taste of West Virginia" to visitors at the WVDA booth throughout the event. Featured products will include salsas and barbecue sauces from around the state, and free samples will be offered on both days. Kids' activities and a variety of other guest speakers and demonstrations are also scheduled for the two-day event, which will run from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon - 5 p.m. on Sunday. The event is being sponsored by the Little Kanawha and Buckeye Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) offices, along with the WVU Extension Service, USDA-NRCS, Wood County Commission and Results Radio. For more information on the event, contact Kurt Simon with the Little Kanawha RC&D at 304/679-3639, or Bob First at Buckeye Hills RC&D at 740/373-7926. For more information on agriculture in West Virginia, visit the West Virginia Department of Agriculture's website at www.wvagriculture.org.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
|
|
|
|
©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
|
|
Contact the Webmaster
|
|
|
|