What WVU Extension Does in West Virginia
WVU Extension Service is West Virginia University's outreach arm, and it serves all 55 counties, per its 2023 fact sheet. Its work falls into four areas: agriculture and natural resources, youth programming (4-H, STEM and Energy Express), community engagement, and family and community development. For farm families, the county office is usually the first call for a soil test, a garden question, a 4-H club or a county fair project. Phone numbers, staff and programs differ by county, so check your county's page at extension.wvu.edu before you drive over.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
County agriculture agents answer production questions and help with livestock projects. The fact sheet also lists several statewide programs:
- Master Gardeners: volunteers who give nearly 35,000 hours a year, valued at about $800,000.
- Integrated Pest Management: a team that gave science-based recommendations to more than 1,000 West Virginians.
- Livestock systems: a USDA-funded project of more than $4.7 million for WVU and WVU Extension, supporting climate-smart practices and grass-fed beef marketing for Appalachian producers.
Some county offices also do simple things that matter on a farm. Wayne County's Extension page says residents can request a soil test by calling the office, and that the office takes garden, vegetable and lawn questions by phone between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Its number is 304-272-6839.
4-H and Youth Programs
WVU Extension funds and delivers the state 4-H program. The fact sheet says it reaches more than 42,600 youths a year through schools, camps, clubs, STEAM programs and special interest groups. Jackson's Mill in Weston is the home of the nation's first state 4-H camp, held more than 100 years ago.
County programs vary. A few examples:
- Harrison County: per its 4-H page, 4-H is for ages 9 to 21, and Cloverbud is for age 5 or kindergarten through 2nd grade. Membership runs October 1 to September 30, and a member can belong to only one state and one county. The county lists community clubs plus a YouthAg SPIN livestock club for judging and other contests. Call 304-624-8650.
- Wayne County: 4-H is open to ages 5 to 21, with shooting sports, livestock, horses and camp.
- Putnam County: the county page reports a youth livestock sale with 69 exhibitors that contributed $130,000 to the local economy.
State 4-H Camps
The 2025-2026 state camp list includes:
- Code Camp, February 20-22, 2026, ages 11 to 17
- Ultimate Outdoor Weekend, April 17-19, 2026, ages 12 to 21
- State Conservation Camp, June 8-12, 2026, ages 14 to 17, at Camp Caesar in Cowen
- New Horizons Camp, July 3-5, 2026, ages 10 to 11
- Alpha 1 and Alpha 2, July 5-10 and July 12-17, 2026, ages 12 to 21
- Older Members' Conference, July 19-24, 2026, ages 14 to 21
Camps are open to all interested West Virginia youth, not only 4-H members. Enrollment goes through the 4-H ZSuite platform, and adult staff and chaperones must be vetted through WVU Extension at least 15 days before the event. Each camper can receive one weekend and one week-long state-supported campership per calendar year.
Livestock Projects and Fairs
Extension agents and FFA advisors approve junior livestock entries at the State Fair of West Virginia, and the 2026 livestock exhibitors guide says animals kept away from the exhibitor's home need written approval for the location from the County Extension Agent or Agriculture Education teacher. Berkeley County's animal project page says the member is responsible for registering with the fair and that ownership deadlines and validation details come from the fair chairperson or the Extension office. Ask early, because those dates are set locally.
WVSU Extension: The Other Land-Grant Option
West Virginia State University also runs an Extension Service from Institute. Its Extension page lists agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, Healthy Grandfamilies, and community vitality and economic development. The university main line is 304-766-3000.
How to Get Started
- Find your county page at extension.wvu.edu and note the office phone.
- Ask which 4-H clubs meet near you and when the 4-H year starts.
- If you plan to show livestock, ask about fair registration, tagging and ownership dates before you buy an animal.
- For soil tests and garden questions, call during business hours and ask what the office needs from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every county have a WVU Extension office?
WVU Extension says it serves all 55 counties.
How old do I need to be for 4-H?
It depends on the county. Harrison County lists ages 9 to 21 with Cloverbud for younger children, while Wayne County lists ages 5 to 21.
Do I have to be a 4-H member to attend a state camp?
No. The state camp page says camps are open to all interested West Virginia youth.
Can Extension test my soil?
Wayne County says residents can request a soil test by calling its office. Ask your own county office how it handles samples.
West Virginia Listings Covered by This Guide
- West Virginia 4-H Teen Leader Weekend
Teen leadership weekend for West Virginia 4-H members at Jackson's Mill; held each year, with the most recent dates verified as November 14-16, 2025.
160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452 | Organizer: West Virginia 4-H, WVU Extension Official event details - West Virginia 4-H Code Camp
State 4-H coding weekend at WVU Jackson's Mill; the most recent camp ran February 20-22, 2026.
160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452 | Organizer: West Virginia 4-H, WVU Extension Official event details - West Virginia 4-H Dance Weekend
State 4-H dance camp at WVU Jackson's Mill, held each year; the most recent dates were March 13-15, 2026.
160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452 | Organizer: West Virginia 4-H, WVU Extension Official event details - West Virginia 4-H Ultimate Outdoor Weekend
Shooting sports and outdoor skills camp for West Virginia youth ages 12 to 21; the most recent weekend was April 17-19, 2026, at Jackson's Mill.
160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452 | Organizer: West Virginia 4-H, WVU Extension Official event details - West Virginia 4-H New Horizons Camp
Weekend state 4-H camp at WVU Jackson's Mill, held each year; the most recent dates were July 3-5, 2026.
160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452 | Organizer: West Virginia 4-H, WVU Extension Official event details - West Virginia 4-H Alpha 1 State Camp
First of two summer Alpha state camps at Jackson's Mill; the most recent session ran July 5-10, 2026.
160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452 | Organizer: West Virginia 4-H, WVU Extension Official event details - West Virginia 4-H Alpha 2 State Camp
Second summer Alpha state camp at Jackson's Mill; the most recent session ran July 12-17, 2026.
160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452 | Organizer: West Virginia 4-H, WVU Extension Official event details - Wood County 4-H and FFA Summer Showcase
Five-day youth showcase with goat, sheep, poultry, swine, rabbit, beef and horse shows, a Kids Day and the Austin Shawver Master Showman contest. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 14-18, 2026.
Butcher Bend Road, Mineral Wells, WV | 304-424-1960 | Organizer: WVU Extension Wood County 4-H and FFA Official event details - West Virginia 4-H Older Members' Conference
State 4-H conference for older members held at Jackson's Mill in Weston; the most recent dates were July 19-24, 2026.
160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452 | Organizer: West Virginia 4-H, WVU Extension Official event details - West Virginia 4-H Volunteer and All Star Homecoming Weekend
Leadership workshops, the All Star business meeting and leader recognition for 4-H volunteers; the most recent weekend was September 25-27, 2026.
160 Jackson Mill Road, Weston, WV 26452 | Organizer: West Virginia 4-H All-Stars Official event details - Barbour County 4-H
County 4-H program whose judging teams finished third in land judging and fifth in homesite judging at the 2026 state contests.
WV - Greenbrier County WVU Extension 4-H Exhibits
Online 4-H exhibition page run by the Greenbrier County Extension Service for youth entering county and State Fair projects.
Lewisburg, WV Website - Hampshire County 4-H Exhibition Page
Online exhibit-entry page where Hampshire County youth register 4-H fair projects through WVU Extension.
Romney, WV Website - Hampshire County WVU Extension 4-H
Hampshire County 4-H offers community, specialty and Cloverbud clubs, a county 4-H camp and Cloverbud day camp at Hampshire Park, an achievement banquet and fair exhibit support.
Romney, WV Website - Hardy County WVU Extension Service and 4-H
WVU Extension office serving Hardy County with agriculture agents and a 4-H youth program that includes county camps and community service mini-grants for teen clubs.
Moorefield, WV | 304-530-0273 Website - Harrison County WVU Extension 4-H
Harrison County 4-H runs community clubs in Bridgeport, Johnstown, Nutter Fort and Quiet Dell, plus archery, shotgun, teen leaders and a YouthAg SPIN livestock club at the county Extension office.
Clarksburg, WV | 304-624-8650 Website - Pocahontas County 4-H Clubs
Five 4-H clubs meet monthly across the county, in Marlinton, Green Bank, Hillsboro and Minnehaha Springs, plus Cloverbud clubs for ages 5 to 7.
Marlinton, WV Website - Roane County 4-H and Camp Sheppard
Roane County 4-H holds its all-age camp and club meetings at Camp Sheppard in Gandeeville, including the Gandeeville Go-Getters and Junior Leaders clubs.
Gandeeville, WV | 304-927-0975 Website - Upper Tract Producers 4-H Club
Community 4-H club in Upper Tract where members raise and show livestock projects.
Upper Tract, WV - West Virginia 4-H All-Stars
Leadership honor society for West Virginia 4-H, founded in 1919, with its office at WVU Jackson's Mill and an annual homecoming weekend.
160 WVU Jackson Mill, Weston, WV 26452 Website - West Virginia State University Extension Service
Land-grant extension division of West Virginia State University in Institute, offering agriculture and natural resources programs, 4-H, and community development.
Institute, WV 25112 | 304-766-3000 Website - WVU Extension Putnam County
Putnam County Extension runs 4-H and youth development, a youth livestock sale that drew 69 exhibitors, and a Clover STEMs robotics team.
WV Website - WVU Extension Wayne County
Extension office in Wayne offering 4-H for ages 5 to 21 including livestock and horses, CEOS, gardening help, soil testing and the Family Nutrition Program.
27572 East Lynn Road, Wayne, WV | 304-272-6839 Website
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.