Monthly Archives: March 2014

Ellwood Thompson’s Food Hub: Farm Incubator Opportunity for Small and Beginning Farmers

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HURRY: APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 31!!!

ET Food Hub Explained
ET Food Hub Farmer Application – Due March 31


Dear Potential ET Food Hub Beginning farmer partner:

 Did you know that over half of all beginning farm businesses fail within the first 5 years of operation?  Ellwood Thompsons (ET) Produce Educator-Heather DeMascio and Virginia State University College of Agriculture (VSU-COA) Cooperative Extension-Dr. Theresa Nartea are teaming together to make a positive change in increasing the success rate for Virginia beginning farm businesses. 

 VSU-COA and ET are working together to develop an ET Food Hub model targeted at priority purchasing from minority and women farmers who have owned and operated their farm for less than five years and who farm within a 100 mile driving distance from the ET store located at 4 N Thompson St, Richmond, VA 23221.  Through an unique partnership with VSU-COA, selected farmer applicants will receive educational training to successfully sell directly to ET and develop their diversified marketing strategy to ensure continuing business success.

 Sincerely,
Dr. Theresa Nartea & Heather DeMascio

Free Presentation on the History of the Tobacco and the Buyout

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Monday, March 31 at 6:00pm
Southside Virginia Community College

Have you ever wondered why tobacco has been such an important part of the Southside economy? Have you heard of the Tobacco Buyout that drastically changed the industry in 2004? If so, have you ever wondered how it impacted the farm families that have raised tobacco for generations?

Join Dr. Dixie Dalton and SVCC in the ag policy class Monday night at 6pm (Room C-2 in Alberta, Room 71 in Keysville, AGR rooms at SWCC and PHCC) for a brief discussion of the buy-out, followed by a Jim Crawford documentary that looks at the impact on our farm families. Bring your popcorn, milk duds, and coke, and join us. All are welcome!

Free Presentation on the New Farm Bill Tonight at SVCC (Alberta & Keysville)

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The New Farm Bill: Commodities, Conservation, and Crop Insurance

Tonight from 6:00pm – 7:15pm at the Southside Virginia Community College campuses in Keysville and Alberta,  Dr. Jim Pease, Agriculture & Applied Economics Professor at Virginia Tech, will be highlighting what we need to know about the new Farm Bill.

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2014 Aquaculture Forum: The Next Level

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This April 16th workshop will feature growing fish in cages from 9:30am – 3:30pm at Tide Right in Saluda, VA. $10.

Topics will include:

  • Processing
  • Cage Production
  • Cage Design and Construction
  • Marketing, CSA

For more information, view the brochure: 2014 Aquaculture Workshop
Please register by April 9 at http://tinyurl.com/vsufishcage2014

**Note: This meeting is separate from the local meetings to follow the initial community aquaculture meeting that was held on February 18 in Keysville. The agenda for those meetings is still being finalized and will be advertised when prepared.

Poultry Farm Energy Efficiency Workshop

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Are You a Poultry Farmer Trying to Save Money?

Then come check out the Farm Energy Efficiency Workshop to enhance your poultry operation’s energy efficiency. The program will be held Wednesday, April 2 at the Prince Edward Agricultural Services Building at 100 Dominion Drive in Farmville, VA from 9:00am til 3:00pm. This program is free of charge and lunch will be provided, but please register by March 31 by contacting Arlene Hines at ahines@odec.com or (804) 968-4024.

Poultry Energy Efficiency Flyer

Franklin County Mini Educational Equine Affaire

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Join Virginia Cooperative Extension on March 29, 2014 in Rocky Mount, VA for a Excellent Equine Program.  Guest speakers will be cover the following topics: Hoof Care and Balance, Myoscope and Acuscope therapy, Natural horsemanship and safe handling, Digital hoof x-rays, reproduction, nutrition and pasture management, and teaching the riding instructor.  Flyer 3.10.14 page 2 Flyer 3.10.14mpage1

 

Register Now for the Southern Piedmont Equine Extravaganza on April 5th

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Virginia Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Virginia Horse Industry Board and the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council will be holding the annual Southern Piedmont Equine Extravaganza on Saturday, April 5th at the Goochland campus of Reynolds Community College. Keynote speakers include Dr. Scott Pleasant and Travis Burns from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Chris Teutsch from the Southern Piedmont AREC. Topics and demonstrations include parasite control, fecal egg counts, shoeing, hoof problems, forages, feed management, and preparing horses for participation in the sport of mounted shooting. See the flyer for more details, hope to see you there! You may email laurab08@vt.edu or rgrosse@vt.edu to request a PDF copy of the flyer.

Equine Conference Page 1 (2) Equine Conference Page 2 (2)