CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Wayne Bennett has helped nurture a lot of new growth in Putnam County over the last 30 years.

And it hasn't only been in the gardens where he's well known to lend a green thumb or give advice to growers.

The county extension agent for West Virginia University retired Tuesday, after dedicating his career to agriculture, natural resources and economic development in Putnam County.

"The way people farm has changed since I started. Now you've got to do some paperwork and some mathematics and see where you can make changes in your operations," Bennett said. "I try to just answer people's questions, or at least tell them what I know and then refer them."

Bennett celebrated his 70th birthday and 30th anniversary with the Extension Service last month. He came to the extension office after studying agriculture at Glenville State and WVU and teaching at vocational schools for 16 years. He's also worked with 4-H, sharing his knowledge about agriculture with young people.

"I grew up on a farm. That's what started it. It's a great weakness in our society that people are losing the arts of farming and don't know how to do it," he said.

Shirley Garrison, chief administrator for the county Solid Waste Authority, became friends with Bennett long before he joined the authority's board 15 years ago and began working with farmers on sludge and composting.

Bennett got Garrison involved in a neighborhood garden and helped her grow zucchini so large they wouldn't fit in the containers she brought to carry them home.

 "He's helped us identify bugs, and when my roses had a blight, he took time after work to come out," Garrison said. "I can't imagine who's going to fill his shoes. He knows everything. He's a walking encyclopedia."

In addition to teaching classes on parliamentary procedure and master gardening, Bennett also works with the Putnam County Economic Development Authority.

And it hasn't only been in the gardens where he's well known to lend a green thumb or give advice to growers.

The county extension agent for West Virginia University retired Tuesday, after dedicating his career to agriculture, natural resources and economic development in Putnam County.

"The way people farm has changed since I started. Now you've got to do some paperwork and some mathematics and see where you can make changes in your operations," Bennett said. "I try to just answer people's questions, or at least tell them what I know and then refer them."

Bennett celebrated his 70th birthday and 30th anniversary with the Extension Service last month. He came to the extension office after studying agriculture at Glenville State and WVU and teaching at vocational schools for 16 years. He's also worked with 4-H, sharing his knowledge about agriculture with young people.

"I grew up on a farm. That's what started it. It's a great weakness in our society that people are losing the arts of farming and don't know how to do it," he said.

Shirley Garrison, chief administrator for the county Solid Waste Authority, became friends with Bennett long before he joined the authority's board 15 years ago and began working with farmers on sludge and composting.

Bennett got Garrison involved in a neighborhood garden and helped her grow zucchini so large they wouldn't fit in the containers she brought to carry them home.

 "He's helped us identify bugs, and when my roses had a blight, he took time after work to come out," Garrison said. "I can't imagine who's going to fill his shoes. He knows everything. He's a walking encyclopedia."

In addition to teaching classes on parliamentary procedure and master gardening, Bennett also works with the Putnam County Economic Development Authority.

He has been instrumental in developing county industrial parks and working with government agencies since he joined the board in 1977, said Gary Walton, executive director for the development authority.

"Whether it's meeting with an engineer from AEP out at the business park or doing soil tests to find out why the grass won't grow, anytime you need anything, you call Wayne because he just has that knowledge and ability and willingness to help," Walton said.

The county development authority awarded Bennett a plaque for community service during a ceremony Tuesday night.

Bennett said he hopes to continue with his volunteer efforts in Putnam County after retirement, but he will let the new extension agent tackle the public's questions about agriculture and resources.

A WVU search committee of faculty and community members has finished accepting applications for Bennett's successor. They hope to select a candidate by Dec. 1, said Jennifer Williams, program director for agriculture and natural resources for the extension service.

"I can't say enough about what a dedicated professional Wayne has been in his service to the state. The people that he has helped in his career are innumerable," Williams said. "He is just so full of knowledge and he will certainly be missed."

Bennett said he and his wife Nancy have plenty of projects at their Eleanor home to tackle during retirement. He hopes to travel and spend time his three daughters and six grandchildren while enjoying his greener pastures.

"It's been wonderful to work here. When you put in that many years of service you look forward to retiring, but there's another part of your brain that has regrets about going," Bennett said. "When you get to my age and years of experience, retirement is its own occupation."

Reach Kellen Henry at khe...@wvgazette.com or 348-5179.