18th Annual West Virginia Small Farms ConferenceMARTINSBURG – The West Virginia Small Farm Conference February 21-26, 2022 will be held virtually in 2022. Registration in 2022 will be free, but you must register to receive login information. For more information, go online to https://extension.wvu.edu/conferences/small-farm-conference

Please contact Lisa Jones at 304-293-2715 for more information.

2022 Gardening 101KEARNEYSVILLE — Gardening 101 offers two opportunities to attend the annual Beginner’s Gardening Workshop. Pre-registration is required for the in-person program and course fees are paid at the door. COVID restrictions may limit the size of an in-person class and masks will be required. View the full program and register online at extension.wvu.edu/Jefferson.

The in-person program will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 5 at the Hospice of the Panhandle’s Education Center, located at 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville. The cost is $5 and drinks and snacks will be provided. Topics: creating a garden, selecting seeds, diseases, pests and weeds, harvesting and storing produce.

Virtual programs will take place on March 8, 15 and 22 via Zoom at no cost. Topics will be composting, growing fruit trees and berries, and landscaping.

For more information, contact Emily Morrow at 304-728-7413, ext. 2.

Successful Small Farms classJEFFERSON COUNTY — Jefferson County Extension offers a program for newcomers to the farming world.

This lesson series will help you figure out how to start a small farm, from pencil to plow. Sessions will focus on local agriculture-based agencies, how to make decisions about what to grow and sell, and how to keep a good record for your business.

Program:

Thursday, February 3: Who can help? An overview of local agencies and the services they offer.

Thursday February 10: Business development. Learn tips and tricks on farm budgeting.

Thursday February 17: Farm Records. Learn how to keep good records for yourself and your taxes.

Saturday, March 12: Visit to the local farm, departure from the extension office at 9 a.m.

February sessions will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Extension Office. The cost is $15 and will include all course materials. Call the office or visit extension.wvu.edu/Jefferson to register online.

Ag Ed 2022 meeting dates setKEARNEYSVILLE — The dates, topics and speakers for the 2022 agricultural education meetings are:

• Programs will be offered virtually on February 3, 10, 17 and 24. See the list below.

• Thursday, March 10 — Grazing for Profitability — Speaker Ben Goff, WVUES

The January and March 2022 meetings will be held at the WVU Kearneysville Tree Fruit Research and Education Center located at 67 Apple Harvest Lane, Kearneysville with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the educational program immediately following.

During the month of February, the meetings will be held virtually. Information to be provided later. Webinars — 7 p.m.

• February 3 — Carbon Sequestration — Gabe Brown

• February 10 – High Altitude Pasture – Cooper Hibbard

• February 17 — Adaptive/Intensive Grazing — Alan Williams

• February 24 – Using sheep and goats to improve profitability – Brad Smith

Opening of registrations for the PASA conferenceLANCASTER, Pennsylvania – The PASA 2022 conference includes a virtual pre-conference through January 28, and a main conference and in-person trade show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, will be held February 10-12.

For more information on the PASA conference, visit: https://pasafarming.org/conference-home/information.

Appalachian Grazing Conference 2022 March 10-12MORGANTOWN – The 2022 Appalachian Grazing Conference “Water and Grassland Management” will be held March 10-12, 2022 at the Morgantown Marriott at the Waterfront Place Hotel. The keynote speaker is Greg Judy from Green Pastures Farm. For more information and to register, go to: www.wvagc.com.

For accommodations, call: 1-800-630-2547 or 304-296-1700.

The Appalachian Grazing Conference is held every two years and offers informative presentations and demonstrations to farmers with cattle, goats and sheep. Attendees hear from America’s leading speakers on strategies designed to increase their profits. On their channel, you will find presentations from past conferences and other informative materials.

garden tips• Order harvesting supplies.

• Seeds of lamb’s lettuce (lamb’s lettuce or green lamb’s lettuce) or claytonia (lamb’s lettuce, Indian lettuce or winter purslane) in a cold frame.

• Order strawberries.