The Ohio County Master Gardeners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Vance Memorial Church, 905 National Road in Wheeling. The group is part of the WVU Extension Master Gardener Program, which provides in-depth horticultural education while encouraging community service, environmental stewardship, and lifelong learning. Master Gardeners support the community through volunteer projects at schools, parks, public spaces, and local organizations across the Ohio Valley.
As Ohio County Master Gardener Mary Suhler shares, “Participating in Master Gardeners is a way to meet people who share a passion for gardening and nature, volunteer to help the community, and learn something new. Learning is a lifelong activity.”
Featured Speaker: Beekeeping with John Welty
This month’s meeting will feature local beekeeper John Welty of Windswept Farm as the guest speaker. Welty is a Certified Master Beekeeper, WV Master Gardener, and nationally certified honey show judge, and was named the 2024 West Virginia Beekeeper of the Year. He began beekeeping more than 16 years ago after witnessing widespread bee population decline and now tends more than 30 hives on his Northern Panhandle farm.
During his presentation, Welty will share insight into the fascinating world of bees, the essential role they play in gardens and ecosystems, and the joy of honey production. Windswept Farm is known for its pure, raw, unheated honey that reflects the seasonal blossoms of West Virginia and is produced using Guaranteed Naturally Grown practices.
Learn More About the WVU Extension Master Gardener Program
The WVU Extension Master Gardener Program offers residents the opportunity to expand their horticultural knowledge through structured training and hands-on volunteer work. The Winter/Spring 2026 training series runs from January 8 through May 14, with online classes held every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Participants receive 54 hours of instruction across 18 sessions, covering topics such as botany, entomology, soil science, pest management, plant diseases, landscape design, vegetable gardening, native plants, and more.
After completing the course, passing an exam, and fulfilling 40 hours of volunteer service, participants earn the designation of WVU Extension Master Gardener. Those interested in learning more about the program or attending the upcoming meeting can contact the Ohio County Extension Office by emailing OhioCountyExtension@mail.wvu.edu or calling 304-234-3673.
