Farmers can learn from agriculture, business and production experts at two unique trainings, Friday, Jan. 24, and Saturday, Jan. 25, in Glenville.

The Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices (GHP/GAP) certification training takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24 in the Glenville State College’s Waco Center on the Mineral Road Campus. It provides training to improve safety in production and quality of marketed produce.

The Farm Opportunities Day conference on Saturday is helps farmers to maximize their business potential for small farms through trusted training from state and local experts. The training takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Mollohan Community Center.

Participants can attend one of four course tracks designed to cater to their training needs. The tracks include livestock; vegetables and fruits; farm business management; and marketing.

In addition to the training, participants will have the opportunity to network with nearly 20 businesses, organizations and outreach institutions during a structured resource fair.

Registration for both events is available by calling your local county office of the West Virginia University Extension Service, or online at www.anr.ext.wvu.edu/farm-opportunities.

The conference registration fee is $10 for those registered by Jan. 10. For registrations received after Jan. 10, the cost is $20. Those under the age of 18 are admitted free but must pre-register.

The GHP/GAP training is provided by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The cost is $25 per person. Registration deadline is January 10.

Lunch and breaks are provided and will feature locally grown and sourced foods courtesy of the WVU Extension Service Small Farm Center.

The conference is hosted by WVU Extension Service, Glenville State College, the WVU Extension Small Farm Center and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center.

Connecting the people of West Virginia to the University’s resources and programs is the primary goal of WVU Extension Service and its 55 offices throughout the state. Local experts, like WVU Extension’s agents and specialists, work to help improve the lifestyles and well-being of youths, workforces, communities, farms and businesses through trusted research in the counties in which they serve.

For more information visit www.anr.ext.wvu.edu/farm-opportunities, or contact your local office of the WVU Extension Service.

-WVU-

cw/12/17/13

CONTACT: Cassie Waugh, WVU Extension Service
304.293.8735, Cassie.Waugh@mail.wvu.edu

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