Category Archives: News

MARE Center Undergraduate Summer Internship

The MARE Center’s Undergraduate Summer Internship is open to applications for summer 2016!

APPLICATION DUE FEBRUARY 5, 2016

Horse

Objective: To help prepare undergraduate students for careers in the equine industry, academia or the veterinary sciences through applying classroom knowledge in a real world setting and learning new skills through meaningful research and Extension projects.

The internship will be offered in summer 2016 and is located at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MARE Center) a 420 acre equine facility located in the heart of Virginia’s horse country. This is an immersive learning environment for those students who are sincere in their desire to secure employment in the equine industry and/or pursue post-baccalaureate education in graduate or veterinary school. This novel program provides substantive and authentic experiences that result in the ultimate capstone experience.

Interns will assist with all ongoing research and Extension activities at the MARE Center. Each intern will be assigned a specific project area. Project areas will include topics such as equine nutrition and health, pasture management, conservation and land stewardship, equine reproduction, and youth development (4-H). Interns will be involved with all aspects of their specified project including literature review, protocol development, experimental design, data collection, data recording, and data analyses. Interns will have the opportunity to disseminate knowledge gained through their project in an Extension or research publication or presentation. An essential component of the internship will be developing leadership and communication skills while building networks within the equine industry through Extension activities. Interns will gain practical hands-on experience operating a 420 acre farm. Management experience will include daily horse care, nutritional management, young horse handling, reproductive management, pasture and forage management, and potential management of other livestock.

Upon completion of the internship, students will gain appreciation of and proficiency in skills necessary to work within the equine industry. Interns will develop a greater understanding of the scientific method, including experimental design and implementation. Additionally students will improve upon life skills including critical thinking, problem solving, communication, leadership, collaboration and organization.

This internship is appropriate for students entering their junior or senior year in the fall semester following the internship. The internship is open to current undergraduate students at Virginia Tech or any other institution in the United States or Canada. Students graduating in May 2016 will also be considered. The internship generally runs from early- to mid-May through mid-August, and is tailored to each student. Current students may receive college credit if desired and will be responsible for tuition and fees. Transfer credits will be the student’s responsibility. Internships will include shared housing and utilities. Interns must provide evidence of renter’s insurance.

Interested students should complete the application form and submit required documents by February 5, 2016 for consideration for Summer 2016. For further information, please contact Shayan Ghajar: sghajar@vt.edu 540-687-3521 ext 26. Application forms may be downloaded HERE.

MARE Center Summer Internship

Press Release: Second Case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a Virginia Horse in 2015

~ Disease has a 90 percent mortality so prevention is key ~

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) today announced the second case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a Virginia horse this year. The horse, a three-year-old Tennessee Walker mare, was from Chesapeake and had only been purchased by the owner three weeks ago. Its vaccination history is unknown.

The horse exhibited signs August 13 and was euthanized August 14 due to the severity of the illness. VDACS received confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa on August 21. Both cases of EEE this year have been in horses from Chesapeake.

“One of the reasons most veterinarians recommend a six-month vaccination schedule in Tidewater Virginia is because of the prevalence of mosquitos in the area,” said Dr. Richard Wilkes, State Veterinarian. Wilkes explained that EEE, a mosquito-borne illness, causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord and is also called “sleeping sickness.” Symptoms include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for signs of the disease to appear.

Last year Virginia had one reported case of EEE, in a horse from Suffolk. The disease has a mortality rate of 80 to 90 percent, so prevention is a key part of equine health. Vaccination and mosquito control/ avoidance are the central elements of prevention.

Available vaccines are generally effective in drastically reducing the incidence of both EEE and West Nile Virus (WNV) in horses. VDACS announced the first Virginia horse to test positive for WNV August 14.

For the vaccine to be effective it must be handled and administered properly and be given at least two weeks before the horse is exposed to the virus. Additionally, to stimulate full immunity, horses must be vaccinated twice, about 30 days apart, the first year of vaccination. The vaccines are effective for six to 12 months, so horses should be revaccinated at least annually. In addition to vaccination, horse owners should avoid mosquito infested areas and take measures to reduce the local mosquito population to minimize the chances of mosquitos biting their horses.

For more information, horse owners should contact VDACS’ Office of the State Veterinarian at 804.692.0601 or consult their local veterinarian.

Summer Enrichment Program in Agriculture & Environmental Science

VSU Summer Enrichment Program

Virginia State University is hosting a summer enrichment program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and math. It will be held June 22-26 on the Virginia State University campus and at Randolph Farm. For more information and to apply, check out the pdf link. Applications due by May 15th!

 

“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

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

2015 Dairy Meetings

Southside/Amelia Dairy Meeting

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:

  • Precision Dairy Farming Jeffrey Bewley, University of Kentucky
  • Management Strategies to endure adverse scenariosDr. Gonzalo Ferreira, Virginia Tech Dairy Science
  • Calf Auto-feeder ManagementDr. Bob James, Virginia Tech Dairy Science
  • Pack Barn ManagementJeffrey Bewley, University of Kentucky
  • What can be learned from Survival Analysis?Dave Winston, Virginia Tech Dairy Science
  • Pasture Management: A Missed Opportunity on Dairy Farms, Laura Siegle, ANR Extension Agent, VCE

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.

Dairy Meetings 2015.