By Stephen Smoot
In the fall of 2022, Dave Seymour, long time West Virginia University extension agent, resigned his post and moved on to a well-deserved retirement.
About a year and a half later, Brooke Alt remains the sole agent serving Pendleton County, working to perform the job of two. Help, however, may soon be on the way.
WUV’s Extension Service operates in each of the state’s 55 counties. As Alt explains, the extension agent serves as “the leading point to the university as part of the land grant mission.”
West Virginia University and West Virginia State University both emerged from the Morrill Land Grant Acts passed during and just after the Civil War. The federal government sold lands and gave the proceeds over to states, who in turn used funds to build at least one “land grant” school in each state.
Land grant colleges and universities originally existed to provide expert and modern instruction to those involved in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. WVU Extension Service currently focuses on agriculture and related fields. The university maintains a separate manufacturing extension service.
In Pendleton County, as Alt said, the service provides “programming to our community, whether it be for youth or adults.”
Examples of assistance include helping local farmers get soil samples processed and analyzed by West Virginia University. Both WVU and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture provide this service. Analysis helps farmers to determine the levels of additives needed to enrich the soil, or enhance its potential for crop growth.
Janet Hartman, who also serves in the office, added that even gardeners can get support from WVU Extension Service. She explained that “people need help identifying weeds, bugs” and other potentially harmful species of invasive plants or animals.
She added that “I had a plant call just yesterday. A man had just purchased property in Upper Tract. He wanted advice on plants that would not be invasive, but could help to prevent erosion.”
Some bring in their pressure canners to have them inspected and tested.
Alt went on to say that the extension service also plans and puts on the educational dinner meetings. At these, experts share their knowledge and experience in agriculture for the benefit of local farmers working the same crops or livestock.
The WVU Extension Service website also states that in Pendleton County, the office works with farmers on grazing management, agriculture management, and cattle marketing. It also helps commercial farmers keep up with their pesticide credits.
Youth development also serves as a focus of the office, with a great deal of work going into 4-H programs. “This time of year,” Alt shared, “we’re working with animal judging contests and preparing for camp.”
Alt has enjoyed support from a familiar face to ensure that the office can cover as much of its purview as possible while the search continued for a new agent. She said, “We have relied on the recently retired Mr. Seymour,” and “agents in surrounding counties like Grant and Hardy have been super helpful.”
Last week, four candidates came in to be interviewed to join Alt in the office. “Hopefully,” she said, “we’ll have someone by April or May.”
The goal lies in getting “someone who is personable, that can talk to farmers” and understand and report their needs effectively.
“It’s been a slow process, but we’re getting there,” she said.
