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Several facilities support the West Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Experiment
Station's research efforts across the State. These facilities represent a cross-section of
the soil, water, vegetation and management conditions in West Virginia. They provide
locations at which research may be carried out and places where the results of the
research may be demonstrated to the public.
Please select one of the following links to find out more about that center's
activities. (Click the "Back" button on your browser to return to this page.)
Additionally, the Station administers the following off-campus facilities comprised of
3,425 acres of farm and 8,134 acres of forest:
 | Agronomy Farm: This 177-acre farm is only about three miles from the
Evansdale Campus in Morgantown. Activities at the Agronomy Farm deal mostly with the
production of forage crops such as alfalfa, fescues, and various grasses. Research on soil
fertility, forage management, insect control, and variety trials are conducted here.
Because the farm is only a few miles from campus, it is a valuable location for teaching
and research demonstration activities in several areas of plant science. The
soil conservation plan and pesticide storage building are used frequently in instruction
and research as state-of-the-art units. |
| Animal Sciences Farm: Located on the outskirts of Morgantown, this
935-acre facility is a central component of the Experiment Station research on beef
cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, and swine. Research on forage production also takes place
here, and the farm produces much of the forage required for the livestock on the farm. It
is also a major facility supporting the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer
Sciences' teaching programs in these areas. Numerous groups and individuals visit the
Animal Sciences
Farm to take part in research demonstrations and youth programs. |
| Farm Woodlot: This 107-acre tract is located adjacent to the Animal
Sciences Farm in Morgantown. The forest is uneven-aged, with a mixture of cove hardwoods.
Some plantings of exotic conifer species have been established. Its primary use has been
for teaching purposes. |
| Horticulture Farm: Research at the 60-acre Horticulture Farm centers on
organic production. The farm was managed as a traditional vegetable and tree fruit
farm until the fall of 1999. At that time all plants were converted to organic.
Changes in various aspects of the fauna, flora, and soil will be evaluated during
the next several years as organic practices are followed. Garden plots and field
crop plats, some with animals, are being studied. The proximity of the farm to the
campus also makes it an important outdoor teaching laboratory for horticulture students.
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| Reedsville Farm: This farm is located 22 miles east of Morgantown at
Arthurdale, WV, in Preston County. It consists of 929 acres. The farm has supported
projects in animal sciences, agronomy, horticulture, entomology and forestry. Specific
projects have involved studies of disease and insect resistance in crops, breeding of
selected varieties of azaleas, potato blight resistance, alfalfa weevil control, livestock
pest control and tree variety testing. |
| Reymann Memorial Farm: This farm is located two miles north of
Wardensville, WV, in Hardy County. The farm was given to the University in 1917 by the
Anton Ryemann family of Wheeling in memory of Lawrence A. Reymann. A total of 996 acres is
found in
two sections separated by a narrow strip of privately owned land. Timber covers up to 350
acres of the farm. Beef cattle and poultry research are the main emphases here. The Bull
Performance Test program, sheep production research, and corn and small grain trials also
take place at the Reymann farm. Graduate students use the facility for their research in
conjunction with faculty researchers. |
| Tygart Valley Forest: This 495-acre tract of upland oaks is located
near Dailey, WV, in Randolph County. Research in the past has centered on natural
regeneration of oak types and on oak wilt disease. Operational silvicultural practices
have been carried out. |
| The University
Experiment Farm at Kearneysville: This farm consists of 165 acres of mixed
tree fruit plantings, laboratory and classroom facilities, greenhouse, and equipment
buildings. The Farm has an award-winning web site detailing their ongoing projects and
providing valuable information on orchard pests and diseases. Click here to visit their site and
find out more. |
| University Forest: This forest, about 7,532 acres in size, is located
12 miles east of Morgantown, straddling the border between Monongalia and Preston
counties. The forest is composed primarily of oak-hickory, oak-yellow poplar, and mixed
hardwoods. It is primarily an even-aged forest resulting from heavy logging in the 1930s
when the land was in private hands. It is used extensively as an outdoor teaching and
research laboratory for the forest management, wildlife management, wood industries, and
recreation and parks management programs of the College. Because of its location adjacent
to Coopers Rock State Forest and Interstate 68, the University Forest receives heavy
public traffic and use. Hiking trails are maintained, and the forest is open to hunting
and fishing in keeping with state hunting and fishing regulations. Although camping is not
permitted in the forest, such facilities are located on adjacent county and state forest
lands. |
| Willow Bend Demonstration Farm: This farm was given to the University
in 1970 by R.W. Johnson. It is located three miles south of Union, WV, in Monroe County.
The primary mission of the farm is demonstration of beef cattle and sheep husbandry
practices, along with pasture management. Cooperative work is being planned with the
United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service and the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute. |
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