Monthly Archives: February 2015

“Grow Your Own” Vegetable Garden Series

Grow Your Own – Vegetable Workshop Series – Flyer

Virginia Cooperative Extension will be hosting a “Grow Your Own” vegetable gardening series on March 2, April 13, May 4, June 8, July 6, August 10, September 7, October 5, and November 16 of 2015 at the Prince Edward Extension Conference Room, 100 Dominion Drive, Farmville, VA.  

Topics covered in this series include:

      • principles of organic gardening
      • building soil health
      • seed starting and seedling care
      • attracting bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects
      • weed control
      • trellising
      • water management
      • companion planting
      • square foot gardening
      • and cooking and food preservation demonstrations.

The cost will be $5 per class or $30 for the entire series.  For more information and to pre-register by February 27th contact the Prince Edward Extension Office at (434) 392-4246 or cgracem@vt.edu.

Sustainable Garden Series

Sustainable Garden Series

At the John Randolph Firehouse & Community Center in Cumberland, VA
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Thursday evenings of March 12, March 19, March 26, April 2, April 9, and April 16
Optional $10 fee for hardcopy reference notebook.  CDs will be free.

Topics will be soils, composting, vermiculture, garden planning, irrigation, sustainable organic practices, food preservation, garden diseases, and garden insects.  There will be different speaker at each session.

Sustainable Garden Series – March 2015

Table Grapes & Raspberry Pruning Demonstration

Table Grapes and Raspberry Pruning Demonstration
February 20, 2015 from 9:00am-11:00 a.m.
VSU-Randolph Farm
4415 River Road
Ettrick, VA 23803

Dear Growers:
On February 20, 2015 we will be demonstrating how to Prune Table Grapes and Raspberry plants. If you are interested, please join us at Virginia State University, Randolph Farm. The time for this event is 9:00-11:00 a.m. This event is FREE and no need for registration, just show up.
– Dr. Rafie, VSU

Governor McAuliffe Announces $565,000 in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants Available for Virginia Agricultural Interests

Governor McAuliffe Announces $565,000 in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants Available for Virginia Agricultural Interests
~Request for Applications Now Open, Deadline for Submittal is April 2, 2015~

VDACS will give priority to projects with the sole purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops as they pertain to the following issues:

• Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops;
• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems;
• Assisting all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain in developing Good Agricultural Practices, Good Handling Practices, and Good Manufacturing Practices;
• Investing in specialty crop research, including organic research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes;
• Enhancing food safety;
• Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops, pest and disease control;
• Developing organic and sustainable production practices;
• Developing local and regional food systems; and
• Improving food access in underserved communities.

Guidelines, instructions, and the application for the USDA Specialty Crop Competitive Grants are available online at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/marketing/scrop.shtml (click on Application Form to apply), via e-mail to Melissa Ball atmelissa.ball@vdacs.virginia.gov, or at VDACS, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia’s largest private industries with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually. Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry contributes more than $17 billion. The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. More information about the Weldon Cooper Center’s study can be found at: http://www.coopercenter.org/node/2/publications/economic-impacts-agriculture-and-forestry-virginia-revised-2012

Training for Compost Operations

The US Composting Council (USCC; http://compostingcouncil.org/) Compost Operators Training Course (COTC) will be conducted July 20-24 in northern Virginia. The course will be taught by members of the USCC (including me). Any assistance in promoting the event is appreciated.

 

Information on program:

http://www.cvent.com/events/uscc-compost-operations-training-course-in-chantilly-va/event-summary-6b8a2afb05674d0e8601aa6dd7594105.aspx

 

Registration information:

https://www.cvent.com/events/uscc-compost-operations-training-course-in-chantilly-va/registration-6b8a2afb05674d0e8601aa6dd7594105.aspx

An Introduction to Wind Energy Workshop

AN INTRODUCTION TO WIND ENERGY WORKSHOP
MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Executive Auditorium
1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210

REGISTRATION The registration fee for the workshop is $15. To register for this workshop please call the Washington County Extension Office at (276) 676-6309, and mail a check payable to Virginia Cooperative Extension to:

Washington County Extension Office
234 W Valley St., Suite B
Abingdon, VA 24210

 

Wind Energy Workshop Flyer with details

Spring Venture Outdoors Series

2015 PSA

by: Jason Fisher, Sr. Extension Agent/Forestry

and Natural Resources

 

Attention Landowners!  Are you a forest landowner wishing to know more about hot topics regarding forested land in only a day? If so, then you need to register today for the Venture Outdoors program!

What? : Each year we at Virginia Cooperative Extension offer a number of landowner workshops that have topics of interest based on research and issues impacting our forestland to include invasive plant and insect species management, tree identification, and timber stand improvement techniques for hardwoods and pine. Partnering with state, federal and private expertise provides a reliable program the public has come to depend on. All classes have similar topics in nature.

 

When and Where? : Brunswick County  (April 24) SVCC Alberta Campus, Bedford County (May 8) Claytor Nature Center and Halifax County (May 15) Halifax Extension Office. Detailed classroom locations are noted on the attached registration sheet.

If you are concerned about the health of your existing and planned forestland, then this is a must class to gain sound advice from experts in the field of natural resources.  Class size is limited to the first 25 registrants so register early!

NOTE: Registration is FREE due to sponsor donations, however attendance confirmation is crucial to classroom and field tour planning. Lunch is provided and the day will consist of morning classroom, lunch, then afternoon field tour (dress for the weather). Visit http://offices.ext.vt.edu/halifax/ for a registration brochure soon, or call 434-476-2147 or patsyp@vt.edu to obtain a brochure to pre-register. Registration deadline will be two weeks prior to the event listed.

 

For additional program information details, contact Jason Fisher, Extension Agent ANR, Forestry and Natural Resources at (434) 476-2147 or jasonf@vt.edu . See you there!

 

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistance or accommodations, please notify the VCE- Halifax County Office at 434-476-2147 at least one week prior to the scheduled event.

 

 

Feb 2015 Update

Upcoming Events & Programs for February

3 – Beginning Beekeeper Workshop: Gee-Price Building at Fuqua School, 605 Fuqua Drive, Farmville from 3:30pm – 6:00pm. Dinner included. See flyer for details.

3 – Brunswick Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification: Brunswick Extension Office from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

4 – Virginia No-Till Alliance 2015 Winter Conference: Olde Dominion Ag Complex in Chatham, VA from 8:30am – 3:00pm. See flyer for details.

5 – Mecklenburg Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification: Sandy Fork Hunt Club from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

6 – Blackberry Pruning Workshop: Cole Berry Farm, 3067 Ashbury Church Road, Vernon Hill, VA from 9:00am – 11:00am.

 

10 – Produce Auction Grower/Buyer Meeting: 1:00pm at the auction.

10 – Nottoway & Amelia Counties Buy Fresh Buy Local Meeting: Southern Piedmont AREC from 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

10 – Mecklenburg County Buy Fresh Buy Local Meeting: Mecklenburg Extension Office in Boydton, VA. 6:00-7:00pm

10-11 – Eastern Shore Ag Conference & Trade Show: Eastern Shore Community College, Melfa, VA.

12 – Dark Tobacco GAP Meeting: Midway Baptist Church, Phenix, VA at 9:30am.

13 – Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program: Part I – Introduction to Whole Farm Planning. Victoria Public Library from 9:30am – 12:00pm.

 

16 – Respirator Fit Testing: South Hill. If you require respirator fit testing, please be in contact Taylor Clarke at (434)-637-2863 for details.

17 – Introduction to Ground Source Heat Pumps: Appomattox, VA. Cost $20. Follow link for details.

17 – Respirator Fit Testing: Blackstone. If you require respirator fit testing, please contact Taylor Clarke at (434) 637-2863 for details.

17 – Brunswick County Buy Fresh Buy Local Meeting: Brunswick County Government Building Annex Auditorium.

19 – Cotton Production Meeting: Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Center, Franklin, VA. Production meeting from 12:00noon – 4:00pm. Cost $10-$15/person. Lunch and commercial pesticide applicator recertification included. See flyer for details.

19  – Ag Supper Club: Wilson’s BBQ at 6:30pm. Dinner on your own. Topic to be announced.

20 – Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program: Part II – Marketing. Victoria Public Library from 9:30am – 12:00pm.

21 – Goat & Lamb Consignment Sale: Halifax County Ag Center from 9:00am – 11:00am. See flyer for details. Register your animals by Feb. 11th.

 

 

23 – Homeowner Fruit Tree Conference: Liberty Christian Church 149 Green Bay Road, Green Bay, VA from 9:00am – 3:30pm. Cost: $15/person. Lunch is included. See flyer for details.

24 – Charlotte & Lunenburg Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification: SVCC Keysville Campus, Workforce Building, from 6:00pm- 9:00pm.

26 – Area Beef Conference / Registration: Southern Piedmont AREC from 8:30am – 3:30pm. Cost $15. Registration form attached.

26 – Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program: Part I – Introduction to Whole Farm Planning. Heartland Regional Industrial Park Keysville, VA. See flyer for details and alternate locations.

26 – Prince Edward County Buy Fresh Buy Local Meeting at the Prince Edward Extension Office from 6:00 to 7:00pm.

27 – Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program: Parts III & IV – Victoria Public Library from 9:30am – 3:30pm. Lunch on your own.

Who Needs What 

  • Farm Hand Needed outside Kenbridge – follow link for details.
  • Hay for Sale – If anyone has hay for sale and would like to leave their information (type of hay, quantity, pesticide use, and contact information) with my office for those that call looking for hay, please contact me with the details.
  • Private Pesticide License – I have had several requests for a private pesticide applicators study session and test for those who need their private license (for purchase of restricted use pesticides for use on the farm). If you, too, need your private license, please contact me and we will try to arrange a common time for the review and test.

Job Opportunities

Summer help at Southern Piedmont AREC in Blackstone

Agricultural Technician at Alson H. Smith, Jr. AREC in Winchester, VA

Program Associate for Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Program

Research Associate at Eastern Shore AREC in Painter, VA

4-H Agent in Giles County