On October 22, the Tygarts Valley Conservation District, which serves Randolph, Upshur, Barbour, Tucker, and Taylor Counties, received a grant from the West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts. The funds will be used for a community outreach project aimed at raising awareness of conservation practices throughout the district.
The Tygarts Valley Conservation District will work with residents of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) establishments within its jurisdiction to address specific unmet needs related to conservation and agricultural education within this historically underserved and socially disadvantaged population.
Educational activities will cover several relevant areas, particularly tailored to the context of the target population. Additionally, this project will collaborate with facilities to create allocated, accessible gardening spaces for residents.
The goal of these educational activities is to instill fundamental agricultural skills and empower participants to take greater ownership and responsibility for their food choices and lifestyle decisions. By doing so, they can set a positive example and become ambassadors for agriculture within their communities.
The Tygarts Valley Conservation District looks forward to utilizing these funds to educate the community about the essential importance of conservation practices.