Spring Venture Outdoors Series

2015 PSA

by: Jason Fisher, Sr. Extension Agent/Forestry

and Natural Resources

 

Attention Landowners!  Are you a forest landowner wishing to know more about hot topics regarding forested land in only a day? If so, then you need to register today for the Venture Outdoors program!

What? : Each year we at Virginia Cooperative Extension offer a number of landowner workshops that have topics of interest based on research and issues impacting our forestland to include invasive plant and insect species management, tree identification, and timber stand improvement techniques for hardwoods and pine. Partnering with state, federal and private expertise provides a reliable program the public has come to depend on. All classes have similar topics in nature.

 

When and Where? : Brunswick County  (April 24) SVCC Alberta Campus, Bedford County (May 8) Claytor Nature Center and Halifax County (May 15) Halifax Extension Office. Detailed classroom locations are noted on the attached registration sheet.

If you are concerned about the health of your existing and planned forestland, then this is a must class to gain sound advice from experts in the field of natural resources.  Class size is limited to the first 25 registrants so register early!

NOTE: Registration is FREE due to sponsor donations, however attendance confirmation is crucial to classroom and field tour planning. Lunch is provided and the day will consist of morning classroom, lunch, then afternoon field tour (dress for the weather). Visit http://offices.ext.vt.edu/halifax/ for a registration brochure soon, or call 434-476-2147 or patsyp@vt.edu to obtain a brochure to pre-register. Registration deadline will be two weeks prior to the event listed.

 

For additional program information details, contact Jason Fisher, Extension Agent ANR, Forestry and Natural Resources at (434) 476-2147 or jasonf@vt.edu . See you there!

 

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistance or accommodations, please notify the VCE- Halifax County Office at 434-476-2147 at least one week prior to the scheduled event.

 

 

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.

Summer Job – Ag Technician – Southern Piedmont AREC in Blackstone, VA

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.

Another Farm For Sale in Powhatan County

Bring you animals! Available when you need it.  Working cattle/sheep farm, with 182 gentle rolling acres of pasture and cropland, to the 4500 feet of Appomattox River frontage in Powhatan, VA.  1 ac. spring fed stocked pond, 60X100 barn with cattle working facilities.  6/7 strand high tensile elec. fields fenced and cross fenced for cattle and sheep, underground water system to most fields.  Fields are Chesapeake Bay Watershed compliant. Great hunting spots.  Only $2700. Per acre. 

Also seperately available, adjoining 10 ac. With 4700sq ft., 4 bedroom 3.5 bath grand country home built in 2002.  Only 25 minutes to 288 and 7 miles from slaughter facility.

Contact Jeff or Toni Zimmerman @ (804)598-4145

AmeriCorp Position at Powhatan State Park Summer 2015

Hello from Powhatan State Park,

I am desperately looking to fill an AmeriCorps position available April to September 2015 for anyone 18 years old and up. It is doing nature programs and stewardship projects at PWSP (no housing available). The position receives a stipend and an education award with the completion of 675 hours. Our programs consist of guided kayak trips on the James, ecology and history programs, archery, guided hikes, campfires, Jr. Ranger, etc. as well as volunteer day projects, river clean ups, trail maintenance, and more. All training would be provided and scheduling is flexible. Please see the flier at link: 2015AmeriCorpsFlyer. Any help you can give in getting this information to motivated, energetic 18+year olds in the greater Richmond area and adjoining communities is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

Krista

 

Krista Weatherford,

Park Interpreter/Environmental Educator

Powhatan State Park

4616 Powhatan State Park

Powhatan, VA 23139

Farm Land For Sale in Powhatan County

A beautiful 103 acre farm known as “Ridgeway” located in Powhatan Virginia.  Convenient to Midlothian, Goochland and Richmond areas.  This property features 1500 ft of road frontage with white fencing.  A well built 1950 square ft. home from the 1940’s is located on the property. Cental air and generator.  Will be sold as is.  On the property there are barns, sheds, Quanset-Hut set up for raising of cattle and other livestock.  Property has a creek and pond.  Current use for the property is grazing for cattle, hay, fruit trees, vegetables etc. Could also be used for horses.  Asking 695,000.  Please call 919-821-1599 only if very interested.

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!