Category Archives: Crops

In Search of Farmer to Crop 30-40 acres of Virgin Ground in Eastern Powhatan

In search of farmer to crop 30-40 acres of virgin ground in eastern Powhatan, close to 288 and Route 60. Acreage was recently cleared of hardwoods, stumps removed and topsoil graded, beautiful seed bed ready for spring/early summer planting. Will entertain longer lease option or 1-2 year lease. No rental charge with understanding of farmer planting and fertilizing. Please contact Harold and Christina Ellis for more information. hellis@ppinfrastructure.com or cellis@ppiservices.com.

 

 

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

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

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. 

BFBL Lunenburg Meeting 2014

Flyer in PDF

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!

Tri-County Ag Supper Club

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

The First Two Weeks of November!

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 and Farm Day!!!

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!

Scopier249314090816340

Family & Farm Day.pdf

Biosolids Information

BIOSOLIDS INFORMATION:

tractor_biosolids_spreadWith the recent interest in land application of biosolids in Lunenburg County, I wanted to pass along the information Virginia Cooperative Extension has available regarding the use of biosolids on agricultural land regarding the practice and its safety. The publications are from 2009, but still give a great overview of the major questions and concerns.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Publications

1. Production and Characteristics of Biosolids
2. Regulations
3. Managing Biosolids for Ag Use
4. Risks and Concerns
Other Resources

The EPA website for biosolids information:  http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/wastewater/treatment/biosolids/index.cfm

The DEQ website for biosolids information: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/LandApplicationBeneficialReuse/LandApplication.aspx

Also, the Virginia Biosolids Council, though obviously in favor of biosolids, does provide some good resources and links to other resources for the general public through their website: http://www.virginiabiosolids.com/

Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Review & Test

Private Pesticide Applicator Review & Test

THIS Wednesday, July 2, at 6:30pm at the Ripberger Public Library in Kenbridge, Virginia Cooperative Extension will be holding a review session for the private pesticide applicators test. You must be certified as a Private Applicator if you use restricted use pesticides to produce an agricultural commodity on land you own, on land you lease, or in exchange for services with another producer. Following the review, the private applicators test will be offered on paper for who feel adequately prepared for the test. The private pesticide applicators test can be taken at any time by appointment at the extension office.

To let me know you are coming and to ask questions, please contact Lindy Tucker (434) 321-2009.