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.
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
~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
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:
Registration information:
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
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
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
Location:
Amelia County Conference Room
County Administration Bldg.
16360 Dunn Street
Amelia, VA 23002
Details:
March 9, 2015
Registration: 9:00am
Program: 9:30am – 12:00pm
Cost: $5/person
Lunch will be provided
Program:
Please RSVP at least one week in advance to:
Laura Siegle (804) 561-2481 or laurab08@vt.edu
For other locations, please click on this link or the flyer below.
.
Agricultural Technician
Temporary, wage positions not to exceed 1500 hrs/yr.
Location: Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont AREC, Blackstone, VA (Nottoway County)
For complete position description and qualifications and to apply, visit www.jobs.vt.edu and search on posting number SW0150050.
Review of applications will begin on February 16, 2015.
For questions or assistance in the application process, contact Carol Wilkinson or Betty Lou Mayton at 434-292-5331.
Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
ATTENTION LOCAL PRODUCERS, DISTRIBUTORS, RETAILERS, PURCHASERS, CONSUMERS, AND LOCAL FOOD ENTHUSIASTS:
The Heart of Virginia Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapter is hosting a promotional meeting for Lunenburg County. This informational and update meeting will be held at 6:00pm in the Kenbridge Town Building Auditorium this Thursday, November 20, 2014.
Please pass this along to anyone you think may be interested! (They do not have to be in Lunenburg, but can be from any of the Heart of Virginia Chapter counties (listed above).
If you have questions, please contact Lindy Tucker at tucker07@vt.edu or (434) 321-2009. Thank you!
