Agriculture & Natural Resources
Brad Smith, WVU Extension Agent for Agriculture in Grant County
According to the 2002 Agricultural census, Grant County had 357 farms totaling 107,653 acres. The value of agricultural-related products sold at that time was $39,251,000. The average net income per farm was $41,332. Sixteen farms sold 186 hogs and pigs in 2002; 38 farms sold 1,190 head of sheep. In the poultry industry 39 farms sold 279,473 layers and 31 farms sold 16,823,002 broilers and other meat-type chickens in 2002.
In 2008, there were 14,000 head of cattle and calves sold, as compared with 12,000 in 2007. In 2007, there were 15,000 acres of hay harvested with 1.79 tons per acre yielding a total of 26,800
tons. In 2000, there were 500 acres of corn harvested yielding 124 bushels per acre totaling 62,000 bushels, and 500 acres of corn cut for silage, yielding 16 tons per acre for a total of 8000 tons.
To meet the varied interests and needs of the Grant County agricultural community, WVU Extension education and research efforts assist clients in creating sustainable agriculture and forestry production and marketing systems that are competitive, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable.
Current agricultural outreach activities in Grant County include horticulture, livestock production and marketing, sustainable agriculture, soil nutrients and grassland production, animal health education, biosecurity, natural resource education, environmental education and awareness, youth agriculture development, and adult educational programs. Specific programs in Grant County include work with Farmland Protection, Master Gardeners, the Farmers Short Course, Animal Health Workshops, Quality Assurance Training, Pesticide Recertification, and 4-H Youth Animal Projects.
For more information about Grant County Agriculture & Natural Resources programming contact the Extension Office at 304-257-4688 or e-mail us.
Soil testing is also available for only the cost of postage.You are encouraged to contact us! Interpreting Soil Test Results
There are many Websites that provide information on agricultural subjects. Each one has many fact sheets, newsletters, and other resources that can provide information that complements and enhances what is available through West Virginia University and WVU’s Agriculture & Natural Resources information portal and the eXtension resource site. All told, the links on this page should help you find a world of information about Agriculture and Natural Resources.
For information about Production Agriculture Issues, see the links along the left of this page.
Other Gardening Resources
Catalog Shopping for Seed Supplies
The ABC’s of a Gardening Plan
Beat Gardener’s Winter Blues—Grow Sprouts for Your Salads and the Birds
Gardening with Raised Beds
Container Gardening
Check out other WVU Extension resources for home and commercial gardening.
