Author Archives: tucker07

Tri-County Ag Supper Club

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THIS WEDNESDAY: Come on out for the Tri-County Ag Supper Club on Wednesday night, November 19th, at 6:30pm at Wilson’s BBQ in South Hill. 

This group, comprised of the Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Brunswick Counties, will be meeting once a month through April to allow producers a chance to ask questions, learn more on a particular topic of interest, and enjoy fellowship with our friends and neighbors. Supper is on your own, and topics will be determined based on requests, so let us know what you would like to learn about.

Try to let your agent know if you know you are coming just so we can make sure we have enough room for everyone. Thanks. 

Hope to see you there!

Ag Supper Club Flyer I

Ag Supper Club Flyer in PDF

Preparing for Winter

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Here are a few things you might want to consider as you prepare for winter and all that comes with it:

 

Family Preparedness Course Materials
http://eden.lsu.edu/EDENCourses/FamilyPreparedness/Pages/CourseMaterials.aspx

 

Chain Saw Safety
http://www.extension.org/pages/66897/chain-saw-safety#.VFzr2th0yUl

 

Generator Use and Safety
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-067/442-067_pdf.pdf
https://www.disastersafety.org/flood/using-generators-safely/

 

Storm Damaged Trees
http://extension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/agguides/hort/g06867.pdf

 

Winter Farm Considerations
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/winterstorm/winter-storm-information-farm-and-ranch-information

 

Winter Care for Horses
http://www.extension.org/pages/25673/winter-care-for-horses#.VFzvgNh0yUk

 

Winter Storm Information
http://eden.lsu.edu/Topics/Hazards/SnowIce/Pages/default.aspx

 

Winter Emergency  Travel Kit
http://www.extension.org/pages/36037/include-a-winter-emergency-kit-when-packing-for-winter-travels#.VFzt-th0yUk

 

Shelter in Place Information
http://www.extension.org/pages/64311/what-does-shelter-in-place-mean#.VFzuI9h0yUk

 

Disaster Supply Kit
http://www.extension.org/pages/9366/get-a-disaster-supplies-kit#.VFzuW9h0yUk

 

Food Safety in power outage
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/3108/3108-7024/3108-7024_PDF.pdf
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/3108/3108-7023/3108-7023_PDF.pdf
http://www.extension.org/pages/65485/the-power-went-out-how-do-i-know-if-the-food-in-my-freezer-is-safe-to-eat#.VFzutNh0yUk

 

Winter holiday tips
http://www.extension.org/pages/70221/keep-the-happy-in-your-winter-holidays:-stay-warm-and-safe#.VFz0pth0yUk

 

Winter Dog Care
http://www.extension.org/pages/58780/winter-dog-care#.VFz09dh0yUk

 

Winter Goat Care
http://www.extension.org/pages/70326/care-of-goats-in-severe-winter-weather#.VFz1E9h0yUk

 

Winter Rabbit Care
http://www.extension.org/pages/61403/cold-weather-care-for-rabbits#.VFz1ONh0yUk

 

Winter Dairy Care
http://www.extension.org/pages/65903/managing-dairy-calves-and-heifers-during-the-winter-months#.VFz1Xth0yUk

HORSE FEED RECALL!

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Bartlett Milling Company recalls horse feeds

Two types of feed potentially contaminated with Rumensin

Release Date: 2014-11-03

Bartlett Milling Company has initiated a limited recall of certain horse feeds due to potential Rumensin contamination. The products were distributed to customers and retailers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Rumensin contamination can result in health problems, including mortality, in horses. The products and lot number involved in the recall are:

o    50 lb. bags of Bartlett Pasture Horse 10 Feed – Lot 288

o    50 lb. bags of Cleveland Carolina Champion Horse Feed – Lot 288

The recalled products were packaged in typical brand-specific feed bags. Lot numbers are printed on the front and back of each bag.

Retailers have been contacted and instructed to immediately withdraw from sale the recalled product and to notify customers who purchased the product. Customers should discontinue feeding the product immediately. Customers who purchased this product should return remaining bags to their retailer.

For more information on the product recall, contact Bartlett Milling at +1.800.438.6016 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact Bartlett at 1.336.655.1840 outside of regular business hours.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and the United States Food and Drug Administration.

The First Two Weeks of November!

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Don’t miss out on the great events happening the next two weeks!

Wed. November 5

FarmLogic Flyer    –     Blackstone, VA
Farm recordkeeping made easy! This program is geared towards Tobacco GAP compliance but should be a great overview of digital recordkeeping for anyone interested. You can learn more about the FarmLogic at their website: http://www.farmlogic.com/

Greenhouse Energy Efficiency Update Flyer     –     Blackstone, VA
Get caught up on the latest of how to make your greenhouse more energy efficient as well as how take advantage of energy efficiency funding and programs.

 

Thurs. November 6

Ginger & Turmeric Day     –    Petersburg, VA
Learn about ginger and turmeric production in this two-hour workshop at Virginia State University!


Halifax Tobacco Field Day Flyer    –    Halifax, VA

This field day will focus on energy efficiency in curing as well as the importance of cover crops for the winter months.

 

Tues. & Wed. November 11-12

Getting Started in the Greenhouse Business School Flyer     –     Blackstone, VA

For those interested in starting a greenhouse enterprise. Check it out!

Family Friendly Fall Agriculture

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Central & Southside Virginia is a great place to be this fall for family friendly agriculture events! Check out what is still going on around the area:

Owen Farm Tours

Owen Farm will be open on November 8th from 10:00am to 4:00pm with hayrides, pony rides, bounce house, barnyard friends, lots of fun games, scarecrow stuffing, pumpkin rolling, pumpkin painting and much more.  http://www.owenfarmtours.com/

White Fall Farm

Don’t miss the famous hay castle at White Hall Farm!
www.whitefallfarm.com

Gross’ Orchard Apple Harvest Festival

October 18, 2014 is the annual Apple Harvest Festical at Gross’ Orchard in Bedford County. For more information as well as regular hours, check out their website at http://www.grossorchards.com/ or their Facebook page.

Layman Family Farms

Take a trip on over to Bedford County’s town of Blue Ridge, to check out the corn maze, pumpkin patch, haunted harvest and country store at Layman Family Farms. Runs September 13 – November 9, hours vary from month to month, so check out the website for more information: http://www.laymanfamilyfarms.com/.

Previous Family Friendly Fall Ag Events This Year Included:

Family & Farm Day

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THIS SATURDAY, September 13th from 9:00am – 2:00pm at the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research & Extension Center in Blackstone, VA. (Come check out the Arts & Crafts Festival in town too!) Lots of crafts, animals, and fun activities for youth! For more information about the Southern Piedmont AREC, visit their website. For pictures from last year, check out their Facebook page.

Richlands Dairy
Fall Farm Festival

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Many of you may already be familiar with Richlands Dairy on 460 on the Nottoway – Dinwiddie line from childhood field trips to the dairy. Well, Richlands is branching out to share their farm with you this Fall. They have many different Saturday & Sunday hours and events from October 4 through November 1. Check out the family farm day, pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, animals, zombie maze, and haunted corn maze dates and times! For more information, click on the flyer or visit their website at richlandsdairyfarm.webs.com/ 

Parrish Pumpkin Patch

Welcome to Dundas! Gem of the sandy loams of southeast Lunenburg County, Dundas is home to several local mainstays. Ranking up there with sheep stew, the tank, and Willowland Farm strawberries – Parrish Pumpkin Patch has grown as an attraction for families and school groups alike. Check out their Facebook page for more details! Opening Wednesday, October 1st.

South Hill Farmer’s Day

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October 4th, come visit South Hill for a blast from the past with the antique tractor parade, a petting zoo, and fun and games for the family. Visit the chamber of commerce website for more details.

Ravenelle Corn Maze

Welcome to Forest and try your hand at the Ravenelle Corn Maze, about 15 miles outside of the town of Bedford in Bedford County. Open Saturdays and Sundays September 27th through October 26th. For more information, check out http://visitbedford.com/event/the-ravenelle-corn-maze/.

Morgan Farms

Welcome to Huddleston! Come pick out a pumpkin or test your maze skills at Morgan Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze in Bedford County. Open September 15- October 31, 7 days a week from 10:00am – 5:00pm. For more information visit: http://visitbedford.com/event/morgan-farms-pumpkin-patch-and-corn-maze/

USDA Disaster Programs

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Several questions have emerged recently regarding USDA disaster programs as producers have been faced with unfortunate on-farm losses. Take a moment to check out this pamphlet explaining the different programs  available from the different USDA agencies, including the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Rural Development (RD), and Risk Management Agency (RMA).

If you have further questions, please contact your local USDA center. These are often shared by multiple counties and may not be located in your home county. To locate your center, check out this website or call your local extension agent.

*Click on pamphlet for full .pdf file.

 

USDA Disaster Program Information

 

Forestry & Wildlife Updates

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Here are a few things going on with forestry and wildlife in the area. Check ’em out!

 

WORKSHOPS & TOURS

38th Annual Fall Forestry & Wildlife Tours
Sept. 29-30   –    Chesapeake Bay Bus & Boat Tour
Oct. 10   –   Halifax County
Oct. 30   –   Grayson & Carroll Counties
*Click the flyer for full .pdf pamphlet 

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Waynesboro Tree Care Workshop
This Friday, September 12, 2014
Best Western Inn & Conference Center
104 Apple Tree Lane
Waynesboro, VA
Cost: $100

Backyard Wood Workshops
**Two locations, each is a two day workshop (note: dates are non-consecutive)
September 22 & 29 from 6:00pm – 8:30pm in Warrenton, VA.
September 25 & October 2 from 6:00pm – 8:30pm in Manassas, VA.
Cost: $20, includes manual and CD

Make It Yourself Charcoal Demonstration
October 6, 2014 from 8:00am – 12noon
Madison County Farmers’ Market

1st Annual Trapping Workshop
Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
October 11, 2014 from 10:00am – 5:00pm
Meherrin Volunteer Fire Deparment
64 Moore’s Ordinary Road
Meherrin, VA
*Must register, no walk-ins

Agroforestry Workshop
November 8, 2014
Lord Fairfax Community College
Warrenton, VA
Cost: $15, includes lunch

 

OTHER EVENTS & INFORMATION

Fall 2014 Webinar Series: Non-Timber Forest Products
*Click on flyer to enlarge and use links for registration.

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Virginia Department of Forestry Acorn & Seed Collection
Looking to get involved? The VDOF is seeking your help in collecting seeds and acorns of many tree species across the state. Check out this press release for details!

 

This is just the tip of the iceberg, to check out more events visit the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program page or join their listserv for a monthly update!

Family and Farm Day!!!

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It’s that time again… time for the annual Family & Farm Day at the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research & Extension Center in Blackstone, VA! Bring the kids out for fun and farm on Saturday, September 13 from 9:00am – 2:00pm for games, crafts, animals, and more!

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Family & Farm Day.pdf

Clean Energy Project Analysis Workshop

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Last Week to Register 

Clean Energy Project Analysis Workshop

RETScreen Training Workshop
August 5th – August 7th 2014
Farmville, VA
Are you, or your clientele, interested in exploring renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies?Are you curious if a particular project might be a viable opportunity for a particular location?  Wonder how it might compare among other alternatives?  If so, please consider joining us to learn about a free energy project analysis tool named RETScreen that can be helpful in exploring new energy project opportunities.

 

Who Should Attend This Introductory Workshop?
If you are interested in learning more about the features of this project screening tool, please join us for this hands-on workshop. During the session, RETScreen training expert, Michael Ross of RER Energy, Inc., will provide an overview of RETScreen, its various modules and applications, including how it can be used to evaluate:

  • Energy cost-saving opportunities
  • Clean energy generation
  • Costs associated with project design alternatives
  • Potential GHG emission reductions
  • Financial viability
  • Tools for assessing risks for various types of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies

 

REGISTER BY FRIDAY JULY 25th
Cost:  $50
Please click here for more information on this workshop:
http://www.aeei.bse.vt.edu/?page_id=184