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:
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
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!
With 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/
Looking for an overview of all that is going on??
Check out the May 2014 newsletter!
Watershed Adventure Camp
Staunton River Battlefield State Park
Clover, VA
June 2-6, 2014
For students currently enrolled in 4th and 5th grade. This weeklong adventure will offer hands-on activities in environmental issues such as: mapping, pollution (point and non-point), agriculture bmp’s, soils, stream walks, forestry, wildlife, watershed information, biological and chemical monitoring and a dragon fly pond activity. There will also be an overview of the park and a tour of the Clover Power Plant. A canoe trip down the Staunton River will take place on Friday. The Camp will begin each day at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided, but transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian of the applicant. Carpooling may be helpful. It’s a great week! For more information, contact the extension office.
