West Virginia News

Rowlesburg Chestnut Festival

The 13th annual Rowlesburg Chestnut Festival was held on October 10, a bright, sunny fall day. Hot roasted chestnuts were sold along with hybrid chestnut trees. Jeff and Erica Kochenderfer were crowned Mr. and Mrs. Chestnut for 2021. Jeff and Erica reside in Petersburg, WV where Jeff works for the U.S. Forest Service and Erica teaches English. They have one daughter, Evelyn. In the photo below, Jeff, Erica and Evelyn are flanked by Rob Eckenrode and Amy Metheny, the 2020 Mr. and Mrs. Chestnut.

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Our air pruning bed was constructed in early 2025 and has since been growing hybrid chestnuts that play an important role in our grafting work. Air pruning beds allow us to grow strong, well-branched root systems and make it easy to access high-quality rootstock for grafting. MRF staff are currently grafting using the root stock from trees that were grown in this air pruning bed, so stay tuned to learn more about it next week!

#americanchestnut #restorationinprogress #chestnutresearch #forestrestoration #meadowviewresearchfarms #conservationscience
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Our air pruning bed was constructed in early 2025 and has since been growing hybrid chestnuts that play an important role in our grafting work. Air pruning beds allow us to grow strong, well-branched root systems and make it easy to access high-quality rootstock for grafting. MRF staff are currently grafting using the root stock from trees that were grown in this air pruning bed, so stay tuned to learn more about it next week!  #AmericanChestnut #RestorationInProgress #ChestnutResearch #ForestRestoration #MeadowviewResearchFarms #ConservationScience

Our research just dropped in Science, and the media wrapped it in love.

Here’s your Science Release Wrapped: the most notable mentions, the biggest themes, and the breakout moments that made RGS the star of the week.

Thanks for all the love.

Read the research published in Science:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adw3225

#americanchestnut #spotifywrapped #restoration #science #research #nature #environment #future #media #news #chestnuts #explorepage
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For everyone asking about available chestnut seeds and seedlingsWe're happy to be partnering with the Maine Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation to offer American Chestnut seedlings again this year!

Pre-Order Yours Today >>> viles-arboretum.square.site/american-chestnut-sale

Seedlings are available for pickup only (we do not ship):
Pickup Location: Viles Arboretum at 153 Hospital Street, Augusta, ME.
Pickup Date & Time: May 23, 2026 from 10am-4pm during our Lilac Festival
Pickup Deadline: Seedlings MUST be picked-up by May 30, 2026 at 4pm. Please contact gro.muterobraseliv@ofni to arrange for pickup after May 23rd. Seedlings not picked up by May 30th at 4:00pm will be forfeited.
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For everyone asking about available chestnut seeds and seedlings

TACF is hiring 🗣️
We’re looking for a Membership Coordinator to manage membership operations, support donor engagement, and work closely with our 16 state chapters to keep our community connected and thriving. Know someone who’d be a great fit? Tag them!

Learn more about the positon: tacf.org/employment/

#hiring #conservation #restoration #nature #job #employment #hiringnow #apply #americanchestnut #chestnuts #explorepage
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TACF is hiring 🗣️We’re looking for a Membership Coordinator to manage membership operations, support donor engagement, and work closely with our 16 state chapters to keep our community connected and thriving. Know someone who’d be a great fit? Tag them!Learn more about the positon: https://tacf.org/employment/#hiring #conservation #restoration #nature #job #employment #hiringnow #apply #americanchestnut #chestnuts #explorepage

Black History Month provides an important opportunity to honor the past and celebrate the Black leaders shaping our present.

Today we highlight Victor Harris, founder of Minority Landowner Magazine and keynote speaker at TACF’s 2022 Fall Symposium.

From exploring the forests of Georgia as a kid to becoming the first Black forester in the Virginia Department of Forestry, Victor has spent his life supporting Black and minority landowners. Read more about Victor and his journey: tacf.org/black-history-and-the-american-chestnut/

#americanchestnut #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #chestnuts #farming #land #farm #nature #restoration #conservation
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Black History Month provides an important opportunity to honor the past and celebrate the Black leaders shaping our present.Today we highlight Victor Harris, founder of Minority Landowner Magazine and keynote speaker at TACF’s 2022 Fall Symposium.From exploring the forests of Georgia as a kid to becoming the first Black forester in the Virginia Department of Forestry, Victor has spent his life supporting Black and minority landowners. Read more about Victor and his journey: https://tacf.org/black-history-and-the-american-chestnut/ #americanchestnut #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #chestnuts #farming #land #farm #nature #restoration #conservationImage attachment
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