Submitted by Brandy Brabham
WVU Extension Agent
If you want to learn more about gardening and some different aspects of it and see some classes that interest you come to the Farm and Garden Educational Series on Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Camp Sheppard in Gandeeville, WV. Gardeners and farmers will have their choice of four of the nine sessions offered during the two and half hour event sponsored by the West Central Master Gardeners and the Roane County Farm Bureau.
This event will focus on some of the old ways of farming and gardening. There will be a session on cutting and storing meats as a way of stretching the food dollar from bulk purchases. For people who are having a problem with small animals or rodents in the garden and around the farm there will be a trapping class.
A local beekeeper will discuss what it takes to get started keeping bees in another session. Eva Ristl from Left Fork Farm will take her session to the 'ways of ole' by discussing gardening by the moon.
If you are short on space, have poor soil or have problems working a large garden come learn about Straw Bale Gardening. It may be just what you need to succeed.
There will be a session on sharpening and maintaining your garden tools. If learning how to save seeds to keep heirloom plants in production is something you would like to know; then there will be a session just for you.
Thinking about preserving nature's bounty? Not sure how to do it safely? There will be a session of food preservation offering up-to-date, research-based recommendations for achieving safe, high-quality preserved food at home using the three main methods (canning, freezing, and drying).
Learn the proper procedures and use of equipment for pressure canning and water-bath canning. This session will also offer free pressure canner gauge testing.
Lastly, participants can discover why Shiitake is the mushroom variety of choice for commercial production during the Shiitake mushroom production session by Leslie and Diane from Island Run Farm.
Each session will be 25 minutes, limited to ten people per session, and conducted four times during the event. Sessions will be assigned by preference on a first come, first serve basis based on date registration form is received. The event costs a $5.00 admissions if paid in advance by September 17 or $10.00 at the door.
Pre-registration is highly recommended by Monday, September 17, 2012, but is not required. Registration forms are available at the WVU-Roane County Extension Office located in the basement of the Roane County library or by calling 304-927-0975 or email brandy.brabham@mail.wvu.edu
Registration packets will be handed out at the event. Sessions will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Arrive early to register or pick up pre-registration packets. Concessions will be available.
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