THE WEST VIRGINIA URBAN AG CONFERENCE: SUPPORTING URBAN AG FROM THE GROUND UP
Sustainable Agriculture
John Porter
Extension Educator/Assistant Professor
Nebraska Extension
Omaha
Abstract
While the Mountain State of West Virginia is ruggedly rural, pockets of urban life, such as the capitol region around Charleston, add variety to the population. As with most cities, interest in agriculture is booming, even in the most urban of places. Finding inspiration in the burgeoning interest in urban agriculture, extension found a new way to educate new clientele and help guide the direction of urban agriculture for years to come. Beginnins as an idea for part of a SARE Professional Development Program, an urban agriculture training idea blossomed into a two-day conference involving multiple agencies. The conference attracted 230 participants from across the state, many of whom were new to extension programming. The participants were enthusiastic, and indicated that the conference will help encourage new and inform existing urban ag practices. This conference also led to an unprecedented level of cooperation between the 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions, which fostered a relationship that will improve outreach to urban ag clientele. Not only was the conference meant to help sustain the urban ag movement in the area, but the planning team approached the conference in a way to make sure that it is sustained for years to come.
Authors: Porter, J.
-
Porter, J. Extension Agent, WVU Extension Service, West Virginia, 25304