The Northern Panhandle Women in Agriculture Day is an annual event hosted by the Northern Panhandle Conservation District and partnering agencies. The event aims to celebrate women in agriculture by providing hands-on educational activities as well as guest speakers and local vendors. In 2026 we will be hosting the 14th Annual Women in Ag Day!

Picture shows Kimmie Hinerman teaching the hands-on Sourdough Starting station at the 13th Annual Northern Panhandle Women in Agriculture Day.

The Northern Panhandle Conservation District (NPCD) offers a range of educational programs, including the popular Hands-On Ag Day, held each fall in Marshall and Ohio Counties. This two-day event gives local fifth-grade students a fun, hands-on introduction to agriculture, natural resources, and soil and water conservation.

In 2023, over 300 students from seven Marshall County schools participated at the Marshall County Fairgrounds. With support from volunteers, teachers, and parents, students rotate through engaging stations on animal science, soil health, forestry, pollinators, and more. Presenters and staff are honored with an appreciation dinner, and students often reflect positively on the experience through post-event essays.

Hands-On Ag Day is made possible through partnerships with NPCD, NRCS, FSA, WVDA, WVCA, Division of Forestry, WVU Extension, and local school systems.

Picture shows Marshall County students learning about Beef Cattle from local farmer, Jeff Allen.

NPCD is offering a FREE Youth Beekeeping Program for middle and high school students in the Northern Panhandle, thanks to The Bee Cause Project!

This program introduces youth to the fascinating world of honey bees.

Local beekeepers Eric Blend of The Blended Homesteadand NPCD District Admin Victoria White, along with mentors from the Tri-State Beekeepers Association, will lead the sessions. All tools, suits, materials, and snacks are provided at NO COST, with a comprehensive safety plan in place.

To learn more or to sign up for future programming please contact npcwv@gmail.com.

Picture shows youth holding frames of honey bees at the NPCD Apiary.

The Northern Panhandle Conservation District has partnered with the Tri-State Beekeeping Association in maintaining the apiary at the District Office in McMechen. This collaboration will provide hands-on educational programs for both association members and the general public, focusing on the importance of honeybees as vital pollinators and the challenges they face. By promoting awareness of honeybee conservation, the partnership aims to highlight programs like the WV Agricultural Enhancement Program, which offers access to funding for conservation practices that support local beekeepers in the Northern Panhandle. This partnership overall aims to protect and preserve honeybees and encourage sustainable beekeeping practices.

Picture shows John Welty teaching attendees how to safely catch swarms of honey bees.

The NPCD Foundation awards four $2,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors from each Northern Panhandle county (Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall). Students may be awarded $500 for the first three years of schooling and $1,000 for the fourth year depending on available funding and continued completion of criteria.

Picture shows Ohio County Supervisor Amy Wade with 2025 awardee Trinity Kimmins.

The Northern Panhandle Conservation District encourages participation in the National Conservation Poster Contest sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts and the WV Association of Conservation Districts. We are encourage local schools and organizations to participate in this national contest and hope that a Northern Panhandle student will represent West Virginia at the national level. 

Learn more at www.wvca.us/education/poster_contest.cfm

Pictures shows Emily Gibbs of Weirton Elementary third place poster in the second and third-grade division of the National Youth Poster Contest for the 2024 theme of "May the Forest Be With You, Always."

This contest is open to amateur photographers (adults and youth) residing in the following counties: Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, and Marshall. Each category will have winners in both the adult and youth divisions. Winning photos will be sent to the state level for further judging by the WVACD, and the state winners will then be forwarded to the National Association of Conservation Districts for national judging. 

Sponsored by the Northern Panhandle Conservation District (NPCD) & West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts (WVACD)

Learn more at wvca.us/education/photo_contest.cfm

Picture shows Katie Fitzsimmons second place entry in the national photo competition in the adult division of the Conservation in Action category for her entry, 'It’s That Hayfield Time of Year.'

The Envirothon program is designed for students in grades 9 through 12 to promote conservation education. The competition focuses on five areas: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and a current environmental topic. Through participating in the Envirothon program, students learn about West Virginia's diverse ecosystem and how they can contribute to its conservation and protection for future generations.

The Northern Panhandle Conservation District sponsors the fifth-place winning team annually which received a $1,500 scholarship.

Picture shows Marshal County Supervisor Mark Fitzsimmons with fifth-place team Doddridge County High School FFA team.

DEP Junior Conservation Camp is a five-day summer camp held at Cedar Lakes in Ripley, WV, for youth ages 11–14. Designed for both first-time and experienced campers, it offers hands-on classes in forestry, soil conservation, wildlife, recycling, archery, hunter education, and more. Campers also enjoy recreational activities like swimming, basketball, volleyball, and miniature golf. For more information, contact your local Conservation District or Annette Hoskins, Camp Director, at the WV Department of Environmental Protection (304-926-0499 x49759).

WV State Conservation Camp takes place each June at Camp Caesar in Webster County and is open to youth ages 14–17. Since 1941, it has provided teens with immersive education in West Virginia’s natural resources, including forestry, wildlife, water, and recreation. Campers learn through outdoor activities, classes, and traditional camp experiences like group games and campfires. Scholarships may be available. For details and registration, visit www.wvconservationcamp.com or contact Camp Chairman Ben Spong at ben.spong@mail.wvu.edu.

The Samara Conservation Test contains 60 multiple-choice questions, which address specific learning outcomes through a wide range of environmental topics. Students must use interpretive and reasoning skills in answering questions that often include charts, graphs and diagrams. This test is not designed as one that students should cram for, but rather as an exercise to complement your environmental science unit.

The top three scores in each school will earn 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons and cash prizes of $30, $20, and $10. A plaque will be given to the school with the highest average in the district. Each participating teacher will receive $25.

Learn more at wvca.us/education/samara.cfm

The Northern Panhandle Conservation District hosts educational events with partnering agencies annually. Past events include Rain Barrel Workshops, Farm Field Days, Pollinator Events, Grazing Events and more!

Stay up to date by following our Facebook Page and checking the Upcoming Events page on our website!

Picture shows attendees identifying trees at the Tree Identification Day at the NPCD Office Grounds.