Lessons from the farm
Students, community can benefit from WVU’s agricultural facilities
BY EMILY EVERETT For The Dominion Post
Sometimes, WVU students get sent to work on the farm But the extensive resources and three farm units mean they can take a deeper look at what they’re studying inside the classroom walls. WVU has three nearby farms that serve as laboratories, research centers and even areas for recreation. There is the Animal Sciences Farm, on Stewartstown Road, the Horticulture Farm located on W.Va. 705 near the Mileground, and the Agronomy Farm, off Old Cheat Road, near W.Va. 857. All three are used by students and researchers, as well as people in the community. The farms hold annual events such as Kiddie Days and ongoing academic study like the Organic Research Project. Kiddie Days is a weeklong event during which about 9,000 preschool and kindergarten children visit the farm and participate in activities. It’s been held annually for more than 35 years. “It is a great opportunity for young kids to experience. They’re fascinated with animals and I’ve heard all about it from students I have worked with [while volunteering at local elementary schools],” said Jill Clampitt, a special education major. Students majoring in animal and nutritional sciences or plant and soil sciences frequent the farms more often than those in other majors, but are not the only students to utilize them. WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences offers courses over the summer that teach students how to grow fruits, vegetables and other crops using organic methods. Student Supported Agriculture — PLSC 293C — is three credit hours and allows the class to establish a student-run growing and farming operation. Students are required to spend nine hours each week working at the Davis College’s Organic Research Farm. Several courses are also offered during the school year. Principles of Animal Science — or AV&S 251 — includes a lab where students learn how to work with farm animals. The class discusses the animal’s temperament, life cycle, physiology, and how to work with and train them. Students also learn the different parts of the animal that judges focus on in competitions and what makes each type a “prize” animal. “[When I took AV&S 251] I was able to choose either a pig, sheep, dairy cow or beef cow to train. I picked a sheep and had to train him to walk in a circle, move around me in a pen, and at the end of class I had to be in a competition to practice showmanship and movement of the sheep,” WVU junior Ashley Whetsell said. Training courses are offered at the farms, too. In April 2009, WVU sponsored a parasite control training course to help sheep producers save money and keep a healthier herd. The free course certified participants in the FAMACHA method for evaluating the need for parasite treatment in small ruminants. Dr. Ken Turner, of the USDA lab in Beaver, W.Va., led the course, which was open to all students and producers. It spanned two sessions and was held at the Animal Sciences Farm. Students from outside the school of agriculture use the WVU farms as well, mostly for student activities with groups outside the college, but some enrolling in classes. “We do have nonmajor work at the farm units — they have the opportunity to enroll in the introductory classes. Most of these nonmajors are from rural or farm backgrounds,” said Paul Lewis, director of the Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences at WVU. “The equine classes probably have the most nonmajors enrolled. We do have the minor in equine management and the therapy dogs, which attracts several nonmajors to our program. We have had nonmajors participate on our collegiate judging teams and have received scholarship support for this activity.” The farms also serve as a site for student jobs and internships. Students in the veterinary technical programs at Fairmont State University and a program in Pennsylvania use the farms as a preceptor site. Produce and products are sold from the farms, primarily fruits and vegetables from the Plant and Soil Sciences Division. “Of course we market live food animals — dairy, swine, beef and sheep. However, these are always marketed on a commodity market, public auction or contract sale, never solely to individuals. All our milk is marketed through a dairy cooperative in Pennsylvania,” Lewis said. “We have in the past marketed products from the meats laboratory [that processes meat products] and do market broilers from the organic farm unit to the general public. In the past we have marketed eggs at the farm, but currently we are not producing any eggs for sale.” To keep up with events, classes and training courses offered at the farms, check out the WVU events calendar listed on WVU’s Web site, wvu.edu. Photo by Bob Gay/The Dominion Post
