West Virginia State University (WVSU) Extension Service is hosting a free workshop to help gardeners prepare for the fall season from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4, at the Arrowhead Bike Farm in Fayetteville. The session will also focus on hops production in West Virginia and include a tour of a local production site. “This workshop will be a great opportunity for participants to get a head start on their fall gardens,” said WVSU Extension Agent Brad Cochran. “Also, as the craft beer industry continues to gain momentum in the state, we’re sharing information about the potential for hops production in West Virginia.” Hops are flowers of the hop plant used as a flavoring and stability agent in beer. In 2014, WVSU Extension Service began researching the regional production viability of hops as a potential new cash crop for the state’s farmers through a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The first half of the day-long session will focus on fall gardening, followed by the hops production workshop and tour in the afternoon. Lunch will be available onsite for a fee or in nearby downtown Fayetteville. The workshops are supported by funding from the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (2501) Program of the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach. Registration is required by contacting WVSU Extension Agent Caroline Copenhaver at 304-382-3383 or caroline.copenhaver@wvstateu.edu. Arrowhead Bike Farm is located at 8263 Gatewood Rd. in Fayetteville.
