| |
Ag Safety Days - This program provides a series of agricultural safety programs over a four-day period. All training is free and open to the public. The programs provide valuable information for anyone engaged in agricultural production, as well as satisfying various workplace regulations. Typical Ag Safety Days programs cover tractor safety, skid-steer safety, forklift training, EPA worker protection training, general farm safety, respiratory training and fit-testing, and Heartsaver AED first aid.
For more information about Ag Safety Days contact the WVDA's Pesticide Regulatory Programs Unit in the Plant Industries Division at 304-558-2209 or Agricultural Health & Safety Coordinator Lee Orr at lorr@ag.state.wv.us.
_______________
Asian Lady Beetle - The first established population of this
insect was discovered in Louisiana in 1988. This initial establishment
is believed to be the result of populations of the beetle that had
hitchhiked on foreign vessels arriving in the port of New Orleans.
Since that time, the beetle has become well established in most
of the United States, as well as parts of southern Canada. It was
first reported in West Virginia in 1992. In addition to supplying
information, the WVDA is working with members of the West Virginia
Legislature to identify funding for research efforts here to look
for answers to this problem. Matching fund programs with the USDA
are also being investigated.
For more information about the Asian lady beetle, contact the WVDA's
Plant Industries Division, 304/558-2212, or by e-mail at bcrutchfield@ag.state.wv.us.
_______________
Auctioneers - Auctioneering has evolved from a hobby into
a reputable profession which supports many families and contributes
to our economy. The WVDA is charged by the Legislature with overseeing
and regulating this profession. From this, sensible guidelines
and regulations -- and continuing education -- have been developed
to guide its growth. The WVDA has also available the Auctioneer
and Apprentice Auctioneer Directory, which offers a wealth of information,
from the rules and regulations governing auctioneers, to lists of
reciprocal states and schools, as well as an alphabetical listing
of all auctioneers and apprentice auctioneers licensed to do business
in West Virginia.
For more information about the auctioneers program, contact the
WVDA’s Executive Division, 304/558-3550, or by e-mail
at smarinacci@ag.state.wv.us.
_______________
Honeybees - The Beekeeper Research Program provides a quality
assistance program for West Virginia's registered beekeepers and
helps them maintain healthy productive colonies.
For more information about the Beekeeper Program, contact the WVDA’s
Marketing & Development Division, 304/558-2210, or by e-mail at gclutter@ag.state.wv.us.
Nutrient Management Program - A strong livestock and poultry industry is essential to West Virginia's
economic stability, viability of rural communities and production
of a healthy, high-quality food supply. West Virginia farmers rely
upon various state and federal agencies as well as the private sector
to provide education and technical assistance to both produce food
and protect our natural resources and public health.
To help farmers efficiently manage manure, biosolids and chemical fertilizers to minimize water contamination and maximize financial returns, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture has developed a nutrient management certification program. (Click here to go to the W.Va. Nutrient Management Program)
|
