×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

WVU Extension Service Program Assistant Invites Public to Learn More About Agriculture

Marshall County’s WVU Extension Service program assistant of agriculture and natural resources Jocilyn Depetro invites the public to learn more about gardening and agriculture at the agency’s facility.

MOUNDSVILLE — Jocilyn Depetro, the newly hired West Virginia University Extension Service program assistant of agriculture and natural resources, hopes to provide many learning opportunities for the public while also expanding her duties at the Marshall County agency.

Hired in as the new program assistant for the Marshall County extension service in March, Depetro, who graduated from Penn State University in 2014 with a degree in agriculture sciences, said she has gathered a lot of her farming and agriculture experience while growing up on a farm in Avella, Pa.

“I’ve always been interested in gardening and animals and that kind of stuff. … I was in 4-H,” Depetro explained.

Depetro said she spends a lot of her time “planting and weeding” in the garden and greenhouse located next to the extension offices on Barn Drive next to the Red Barn in Moundsville.

“Most of the time I’m outside. We have a raised tunnel, some raised beds and a garden space, she commented.

Depetro said it is common for people to stop in or call her office in search of answers to general nature and agriculture questions. Whether it’s dealing with a beetle that is damaging a tree, or learning about a specific plant, Depetro said she fields all kinds of questions from the general public.

“And if I don’t have the information — then I go to a WVU specialist in Morgantown,” she commneted. “If they (the public) have any questions about their soil, we can also do soil samples,” she added.

Depetro said she has several goals while working in her new role as the program assistant for the extension service. With the use of the high tunnel greenhouse, she plans to extend the gardening season by starting plants in January and February and growing some plants through the late fall season.

In addition she hopes to grow the Marshall County Master Gardeners Program, a program that has seen a decline in membership in recent years. She said their next meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 11 at the extension office for anyone interested in joining. She said you don’t have to be an established master gardener to join the program.

Depetro said one of her main goals is to help educate people of all ages about agriculture in general and provide as many learning opportunities as possible.

“I would love to get kids, adults and people of all ages … to just get people out here, whether they have questions, whether they want to help or whether they want to learn bout gardening. Come out and see what it is about. That’s why the garden is here,” she explained. “I just want people to get involved and know where their food comes from,” she added.

Depetro invites the public to visit the extension service office located next to the Red Barn just off Fourth Street, or visit their booth at this year’s Marshall County Fair, scheduled for July 21-27, where she will be teaching a variety of gardening classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today