02/20/2026
Join WVU Extension for a Series of Webinars on Timely Agriculture Topics in March
March 3
Animal Health, Biosecurity and Response: What Will Happen on Your Farm?
Dr. Vanessa Harper, USDA APHIS
March 10
Maximizing Pasture Potential:The Benefits of Rotational Grazing
Dr Katie Payne, WVU Extension Forage Agronomy Specialist
March 17
W**d Management for Ponds
Dr. Robert Richardson, Professor and Extension Specialist, NC State University
March 24
How to Identify and Control Invasive Plants
Karen Cox, WVU Extension
and Dr. Rakesh Chandran,
Professor of W**d Science and WVU Extension Specialist
7 PM Each Night on Zoom
Click on the webinar titles above or see below for a description of each presentation and short bio for each speaker.
Registration is required. Once registered, you will receive an email for each meeting with a link to join the meeting.
Register To Attend
Animal Health, Biosecurity, and Response: What will happen on your farm?
We will review high consequence diseases: ie – New World Screwworm, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, & Classical & African Swine Fever and how their introduction will affect our day-to-day operations. Animal disease emergencies involve any number of disease pathogens that may affect large numbers of livestock, resulting in severe economic consequences.(including high death rates, high levels of illness, and loss of production) The occurrence of any of these diseases may have trade implications, including embargos and import restrictions. Some of the diseases are zoonotic (spread from animals to humans) and carry human health risks. Mental health concerns resulting from the loss of animals and livelihood can have severe impacts that last long after the disease incident is resolved.
Let’s work together to start the response process including discussions involving continuity of business, approved biosecurity plans and movements, and preparing for the mental aftermath.
Dr. Vanessa L. Harper is a West Virginia native from Petersburg, a small town in Grant County within the Eastern Panhandle. She holds degrees from Potomac State College, West Virginia University and Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. She was awarded her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Immediately upon graduation, Vanessa worked at a mixed animal practice in rural WV and then transitioned to High Quality/High Volume spay/neuter for the next 8 years. In 2015, she began her regulatory career; first in meat inspection with FSIS, then as Acting State Veterinarian for WV and the last 9 years as the Veterinary Services-Veterinary Medical Officer in WV and Assistant Area Veterinarian in Charge for PA/WV. Vanessa has completed multiple deployments for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and virulent Newcastle Disease, assisting in multiple roles including surveillance, depopulation and disposal. She also was deployed to the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, Oregon & Utah for a BLM wild horse gathers, and most recently to Pembina, ND to inspect live animal imports at the Northern Border Port. Her favorite work tasks are sample collections and outreach to the agriculture industry. Dr. Harper is a 4-H volunteer in her community, membership secretary & cook at her church, volunteer at school and athletic events, and recently joined the Tri-County Fair board, as well as holding the Chairman role for the Canning Committee. Vanessa resides with her family in Seneca Rocks on the family farm raising cattle & sheep with plans to revitalize her families maple syrup business.
Maximizing Pasture Potential: The Benefits of Rotational Grazing
Rotational grazing is a proven management practice that boosts forage productivity, improves animal performance, and enhances soil health. This presentation will explore how strategic movement of livestock across pastures allows plants to rest and regrow, leading to more resilient forage systems. Participants will learn how rotational grazing can reduce feed costs, control w**ds, improve manure distribution, and support long-term sustainability. Whether you manage a few acres or a large operation, discover how rotational grazing can optimize both pasture and herd performance.
Katie Payne is a native of Century, West Virginia, where she was actively involved in Barbour County 4-H and FFA. Her early experiences working with beef cattle and participating in 4-H land judging helped shape her lifelong passion for agriculture. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Soil Science from West Virginia University in 2012. Payne continued her education with a Master of Science in Crop and Soil Sciences from the University of Georgia (2014), followed by a Ph.D. in Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences from the University of Kentucky (2019), focusing her research on forage agronomy. Before returning to West Virginia University in July 2025 as the Forage Agronomy Extension Specialist, Payne spent six years as the Applied Forage Systems Specialist at the Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Education Center in Blackstone, Virginia. She enjoys working closely with extension agents and producers to help improve the production, profitability, and sustainability of their forage and livestock systems.
W**d Management for Ponds
Excessive plant and algae growth are common problems for ponds. This presentation will cover identification of common w**ds of West Virginia ponds as well as the use of management techniques to reduce or eliminate excessive growth. These management techniques include prevention, mechanical removal, biological control, chemical control, and others.
Rob Richardson is a Professor and Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University with a focus on aquatic plant management. He has over twenty years of experience and provides extension information across the US and internationally.
How to Identify and Control Invasive Plants
Invasive w**ds are here to stay. Out of necessity, we have been mowing, spraying, and chopping these troublesome plants for years. Unfortunately, some of the most heroic efforts have made the problem worse. Knowing how and when to treat the different species will improve control, help protect the environment, and save you time and money. In this program you will learn to properly identify some of our most common w**dy invasives and apply effective control measures. Registered participants can select to receive a free copy of WVU Extension’s new IPM manual, “Controlling Invasive Species Without Making Them Worse.”
Dr. Rakesh S. Chandran serves as an Extension Specialist and Professor of W**d Science at West Virginia University. He carries out an applied research and extension program to address grower problems related to w**d management in major crops of West Virginia and the region. He teaches an undergraduate course in W**d Science and coordinates the Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) at the University. He has authored several publications including fact-sheets, newsletter articles, research reports, peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He has served in several elected capacities at various professional levels including the President of the Northeastern W**d Science Society, and a Member of the Board of Directors of the W**d Science Society of America. He was awarded ‘Distinguished Senior Alumnus’ by the Department of Plant Pathology Physiology and W**d Science’ by Virginia Tech in 2018; and for ‘Distinguished Service’ by National Association of Agricultural County Agents in 2016.
Karen Cox is the Ohio County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Forest Resources Management from WVU, a master’s degree in Forestry from Purdue University. She is an ISA-Certified Arborist (MA-6633A) and has been a WV Certified Public Applicator (O01411) since 2015.
Send a message to learn more
