By Stephen Smoot
Jessica Hoover’s homecoming as the newest Pendleton County West Virginia University Extension agent took its act on the road last week. Mountain Cajun Getaways’ Chris and Melissa Grimes set out the welcome mat for Hoover, fellow agent Brooke Alt, and community members eager to meet the office’s expert on agriculture.
Hoover had met with the community the previous night in Franklin where almost 15 came to meet her and learn about extension service programs. “We had a pretty decent turnout,” Alt shared, adding that “it’s been very successful and helpful to get her out, even though she’s from here.”
Turnout for the Circleville meet and greet initially appeared threatened by the weather. The National Weather Service had issued weather alerts forecasting powerful storms. One did plow into Circleville at 7 p.m., just as the gathering commenced. High winds and heavy rains pummeled the area, but attendees kept coming.
“We hoped the rain would hold off, but you can’t complain about rain this time of year,” noted Hoover.
Approximately 25 came out to Mountain Cajun Getaways to greet Hoover. Attendees included Matt Monroe, assistant director of environmental programs for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and also executive director of the Pendleton County Farmland Board. Elizabeth Scott, executive director of the Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce, also came.
Hoover said of the events “they’ve been good.” She said that the goals lay in “trying to get some opinions and see what everyone needs.” She brought with her surveys to help ascertain more specifically the needs of farmers individually and collectively.
Many requested information about invasive species, especially weeds, and different livestock diseases. “These have been the big things,” she stated. Her office put up a table at the event with information on those subjects, as well as regulatory changes and other vital information.
It did not take long for the fury of the storm to spend itself and develop into a gentle and steady rain. Attendees, flanked by flying flags representing every branch of the United States military, shared stories, reconnected, and talked while eating chips and homemade salsa and cut up fruits and vegetables.
Mountain Cajun Getaways, which hosted the event, is a non profit that brings veterans facing challenges from their service, along with their families, to the retreat to work on healing. The Grimes family helps to support their operation by producing and selling their own maple products.
