WVU Gilmer County Extension Service

WVU Gilmer County Extension Service Faculty and staff involve local people in developing programs to meet the needs of people and communities.

The Cooperative Extension Service provides programs in the areas of 4-H and Youth, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community Resources and Economic Development, Family Nutrition, and Family and Consumer Sciences. To effectively reach diverse audiences, Extension Educators offer a variety of educational programs through many methods and media including workshops, meetings, exhibits and fairs, newsletters, telephone calls, letters and individual consultations.

🚨COMFORT IN THE CHAOS: Emergency Activity Kits for Kids❤️This September 11, turn remembrance into action—and help us be ...
09/01/2026

🚨COMFORT IN THE CHAOS: Emergency Activity Kits for Kids❤️

This September 11, turn remembrance into action—and help us be ready when children need us most.

Recent emergencies across our communities have reminded us that disasters and unexpected events affect even our youngest neighbors. When children are facing an unfamiliar and stressful situation, a few simple items can provide comfort, distraction, and a sense of normalcy.

In recognition of the September 11 National Day of Service & Remembrance, AmeriCorps, West Virginia 4-H, WVU Extension, and community partners are coming together to assemble Emergency Activity Kits for Mid-Ohio Valley first responders.

These ready-to-go kits will include age-appropriate activities, comfort items, sensory tools, and books that first responders can provide to children experiencing an emergency.

📦HELP US FILL THE KITS!

📍DROP OFF SUPPLIES
Bring new items to your local WVU Extension office in Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler, Wirt, or Wood County.

🛒SHOP FROM HOME
Purchase an item directly from our Amazon Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1HTCP12WFPJOT?ref_=wl_share

Ideas for items to include:

🎨CREATE: Crayons • Colored Pencils • Markers • Pencils • Coloring Books • Stickers

🧸COMFORT: Play-Doh • Slime • Fidget Toys • Stress Balls • Tissues • Lip Balm (NOTE: No stuffed animals)

📚PLAY & READ: Books • Card Games

📅DONATE BY SEPTEMBER 18, 2026

A SMALL KIT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.❤️

Help us give first responders one more way to care for a child when their world has suddenly changed.

🍀 2026 in Review: Beyond Ready - Second Grade School Enrichment 🌱👨‍🏫One of the greatest joys of 4-H is watching young pe...
08/21/2026

🍀 2026 in Review: Beyond Ready - Second Grade School Enrichment 🌱👨‍🏫

One of the greatest joys of 4-H is watching young people grow from learners into leaders.

To wrap up the school year, Gilmer County 4-H member Jonavan Mullins joined us in visiting every second-grade classroom at Gilmer Elementary to teach students about soil and its different layers.

The lesson included a fun read-aloud followed by creating edible soil profiles using Oreos, pudding, chocolate chips, and other tasty treats. 🍪🌱

By the time we reached the third classroom, Jonavan looked over and confidently said, "I've got this." From there, he led nearly the entire lesson himself.

Moments like these remind us what 4-H is all about. We aren't just teaching projects. We're helping young people develop confidence, leadership, communication skills, and the courage to step forward when opportunities arise. We can't wait to see where your 4-H journey takes you next! 💚🍀

A special thank you to Mrs. Sprouse for welcoming us into your classrooms!

🍀 2026 in Review: "Furever" Homes Adoption Day 🐶🏡On May 23, the Glenville Jolly Millers 4-H Club, led by Vice President ...
08/19/2026

🍀 2026 in Review: "Furever" Homes Adoption Day 🐶🏡

On May 23, the Glenville Jolly Millers 4-H Club, led by Vice President Eliza Chesser, hosted a "Furever" Homes Adoption Day at the Gilmer County Recreation Center.

Gilmer County Animal Control Officer Jamie Hess brought 10 dogs to spend the day meeting and greeting visitors, giving community members an opportunity to learn more about the dogs currently looking for homes. 🐕🐾

While none of the dogs went home with a new family that day, the effort still made a difference! After posts from the event helped spread the word about the dogs available for adoption, Jamie shared that one of the dogs was adopted! 🎉🏡❤️

Sometimes service doesn't produce an immediate result. It means raising awareness, bringing people together, and continuing to work toward a goal. We are proud of these 4-H members for seeing a community need and following through with an idea to help.

And their work isn't finished yet!

🐾 There are still dogs available and waiting for their "furever" homes. If you or someone you know is interested in adopting, please reach out for more information! 🐶💚🍀

Thank you to:
- Jamie Hess, for the work he does with these animals everyday and bringing them that day to meet the public
- The Gilmer County Commission, for their commitment to moving efforts to find these dogs home forward
- The Gilmer County Recreation Center, for letting us use the barn for this event
- The West Virginia 4-H All Stars, for providing the, "Hands to Larger Service," grant that made this program possible
- Finally, the community members who visited that day!

You can also stop by our office for a printed copy! Sara is in the office, even if there are no vehicles in the driveway...
08/17/2026

You can also stop by our office for a printed copy!
Sara is in the office, even if there are no vehicles in the driveway.

🍀 2026 in Review: Celebrating Our Beyond Ready Seniors 🎓🌟After spending the past few weeks introducing you to each of ou...
08/17/2026

🍀 2026 in Review: Celebrating Our Beyond Ready Seniors 🎓🌟

After spending the past few weeks introducing you to each of our graduating 4-H members, we're looking back at one more special night when we had the opportunity to celebrate them all together! 💚

On May 7, Gilmer County 4-H Leaders hosted our Beyond Ready Senior Celebration, recognizing the Class of 2026 and celebrating the years of learning, leadership, service, friendships, accomplishments, and memories that have been part of their 4-H journeys. 🎓🍀

We were proud to recognize:

🎓 Laura Brannon - Cedarville Centurians 4-H
🎓 Caleb Cottrill - Normantown Knights 4-H
🎓 Levi Dever - Normantown Knights 4-H
🎓Anna Mason - Leading Creek Dreamweavers 4-H
🎓 Cole Moss - Leading Creek Dreamweavers 4-H
🎓Kadessa Stitt - Auburn Wo He Lo 4-H (Ritchie County)
🎓Breanna White - Normantown Knights 4-H
🎓Rayanna White - Normantown Knights 4-H

Other Seniors not present included:
🎓Lila Fitzwater - Member At Large
🎓 Kyle Norman - Normantown Knights 4-H
🎓Owen Thomas - Normantown Knights 4-H

These young people have each taken a different path through 4-H, finding their own sparks, developing their talents, stepping into leadership roles, and making their mark on our program and community. 🌟

A special shout-out to Missie Frye and Stacey Stalnaker for making the evening extra special with the decorations, and to Becky Chesser for acquiring the absolutely delicious cake made by former Gilmer County 4-H'er Marsha Benson! 🎂💚

To the Gilmer County 4-H Class of 2026, we are incredibly proud of you. Keep finding your spark, keep serving others, keep leading, and wherever life takes you, keep working to Make the Best Better! 🍀🎓💚

You are Beyond Ready for what comes next!

🍀 2026 in Review: Multi-County Teen Leadership Weekend 🌟🤝Leadership begins by saying "yes" to new opportunities.This spr...
08/14/2026

🍀 2026 in Review: Multi-County Teen Leadership Weekend 🌟🤝

Leadership begins by saying "yes" to new opportunities.

This spring (April 24-26), Gilmer County 4-H member Jonavan Mullins attended the Multi-County Teen Leadership Weekend at Wood County 4-H Camp.

Throughout the weekend, participants learned hands-on lessons they can now take back and teach in their own communities, including, "Mindful Me," Glitter Jars, edible soil science, STEM activities, leadership skills, and much more.

After completing an additional virtual training in May, Jonavan officially became a Beyond Ready Ambassador for WVU Extension! 🎉

Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment!

If you have a teenager interested in leadership, service, and helping others while developing new skills, we'd love to help them become involved in future Teen Leadership Weekends and the Beyond Ready Ambassador program. Reach out to learn more! 🍀

🍀 2026 in Review: WVU Campus Tour 🎓💛💙College isn't just something you think about after high school. Sometimes it starts...
08/12/2026

🍀 2026 in Review: WVU Campus Tour 🎓💛💙

College isn't just something you think about after high school. Sometimes it starts with a single visit.

On April 23, a dozen Gilmer County 4-H members from seventh grade through recent graduates traveled to West Virginia University to experience campus life firsthand.

Students toured classrooms, explored the Mountainlair, rode the PRT, enjoyed lunch on campus, and imagined what their own future could look like as a Mountaineer. 🚝📚

Experiences like these help young people discover new possibilities while building confidence about the future.

A huge thank you to Rachel Meininger and Matthew Helmondollar for making our visit such a memorable experience! We can't wait to visit again and explore even more college campuses across West Virginia. 💚

🍀 2026 in Review: Ultimate Outdoor Weekend 🌲🎣🔥Adventure was waiting around every corner at Ultimate Outdoor Weekend - Ap...
08/10/2026

🍀 2026 in Review: Ultimate Outdoor Weekend 🌲🎣🔥

Adventure was waiting around every corner at Ultimate Outdoor Weekend - April 17-19!

Seven Gilmer County 4-H (Jonavan Mullins, Cooper Norman, Kyle Norman, Ellaina Rogers, Luke Shiflet, Autumn Whipkey, and Avery Whipkey) members and their Extension Agent (Jamie Mullins) spent the weekend at Jackson's Mill exploring the outdoors through hands-on learning and exciting new experiences.

Youth had opportunities to try shooting sports, ATV safety, fishing, hiking, birding, canoeing, outdoor cooking, trapping, rock wall climbing, and so much more. 🛶🧗🎯

Whether they were trying something completely new or building on skills they already had, everyone left with new knowledge, new friendships, and a greater appreciation for West Virginia's great outdoors. 💚

If your child enjoys spending time outside, keep an eye out for information about next year's Ultimate Outdoor Weekend. It is an experience they won't want to miss!

🍀 2026 in Review: Ignite by 4-H ✈️🏛️Ten outstanding youth from Calhoun and Gilmer Counties had the incredible opportunit...
08/07/2026

🍀 2026 in Review: Ignite by 4-H ✈️🏛️

Ten outstanding youth from Calhoun and Gilmer Counties had the incredible opportunity to represent West Virginia at Ignite by 4-H 2026 in Washington, D.C.!

Throughout the week, these young leaders participated in hands-on workshops focused on Healthy Living, Community Accelerators, Animal Science, AgriSTEM, and STEM. They also experienced some of our nation's most iconic landmarks, including a nighttime tour of the monuments and a visit to the National Zoo. 🐼🇺🇸

What makes this opportunity even more special is that these youth earned their trip by helping teach workshops alongside Extension Agents Jamie Mullins and Daisy Bailey. Congratulations to:

💚 Evan Burch (Calhoun) for Dress for Success: The Power of First Impressions

💚 Jasmyne Tingler (Calhoun) for Skills That Pay the Bills

💚 Madison Cunningham (Calhoun), Gunner Trimble (Gilmer), and Evan White (Gilmer) for Love Languages and Red Flags: Relationship Realtalk

💚 Kali Carpenter (Gilmer) and Tucker Sampson (Calhoun) for Patient Zero: A Biosecurity Challenge

💚 Eliza Burch (Calhoun) and Kali Carpenter (Gilmer) for The Whole You: Wellness Beyond the Basics

💚 Chase Moss (Gilmer) and Maggie Snyder (Gilmer) for Footloose & Folkey: Dancing for Health, Community, and Confidence

These youth represented their counties and our state exceptionally well, and we couldn't be more proud! 👏

📢 Registration is now open for Ignite by 4-H 2027, scheduled for March 16-21, 2027. If you're interested in attending, reach out to learn how you can earn this amazing opportunity!

🌟🍀 Celebrating Our Beyond Ready 4-H Seniors - Rayanna White🍀🌟 🎓 Name: Rayanna White🍀 Years in 4-H: 8 years 📍 Club: Norma...
08/06/2026

🌟🍀 Celebrating Our Beyond Ready 4-H Seniors - Rayanna White🍀🌟

🎓 Name: Rayanna White
🍀 Years in 4-H: 8 years
📍 Club: Normantown Knights 4-H Club
🏅 Accomplishments: Received 4-H Charting Pin
💚 Favorite 4-H Memory: "My favorite 4-H memory is charting with some of my best friends."
🎯 Post-Graduation Plans: "I plan to attend WVUP for an associates of science degree after I graduate."
🏔️ How 4-H Prepared Them for the Future: “4-H has prepared me for the future by camping allowing me to gain leadership and better communication skills.”

💬 “Rayanna has done it all during her time with 4-H. She has shown in the ring. She has sing, laughed, and made memories at Council Circle. She has been active with her club and recieved her Charting Pin. I am so glad that she is not done! She still has more to do with us, and I believe she will remain surrounded by a community of family & friends who her. The connections she has made and the skills she has gained will help her be successful within 4-H and beyond!” — Jamie Mullins, WVU Extension Gilmer County, 4-HYD Agent

We are so proud of Rayanna and all she has accomplished in 4-H! She is truly Beyond Ready to take on the next chapter of this journey and see beyond the mountains to a bright and promising future.

Let’s show Rayanna some love and cheer her on as she takes her next steps! 💚🍀🎓

Address

1217 Sycamore Run Road
Glenville, WV
26351

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+13044627061

Website

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