Tag Archives: new and beginning farmers

Looking for Farm to Lease or Manage

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Graham Donahue is a young farmer with over 6 years of experience, at least some experience with most types of farming but mostly raising livestock (sheep and chickens). He is looking for an opportunity to manage a farm or for a long term lease situation to start his own.  He has been an intern on two different farms and is looking to use his passion for pasture management, raising livestock and other production. If you have land available for lease or looking for a farm manager in Cumberland/Fluvanna/Goochland/Powhatan/Amelia/Prince Edward/Buckingham area, please contact Graham Donahue at donahuegraham@gmail.com or (540) 333-6552.

 

Feb 2015 Update

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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

Small Farm Apprenticeship Opportunity

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Unique Opportunity for a Young/Beginning/Aspiring Farmer:  Omega Lane Farm

We are a small organic farm outside RuralRetreat. We’re looking for a responsible and hard-working apprentice. In exchange for 25-29 hours of work we’re offering a furnished farmhouse, farm produce, and hands-on experience in our passive-solar greenhouse and gardens.

 

Some of the things you will learn are:

Germination
Companion Planting
Straw Bale Gardening
Gutter Gardening
Natural Pest Control
Food Processing Techniques
Marketing at a Farmers Market

 

Position May 1st-October 1st (flexible)
If Interested, please contact us at:

Suzanne Capone: 276-686-5843

Ellwood Thompson’s Food Hub: Farm Incubator Opportunity for Small and Beginning Farmers

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HURRY: APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 31!!!

ET Food Hub Explained
ET Food Hub Farmer Application – Due March 31


Dear Potential ET Food Hub Beginning farmer partner:

 Did you know that over half of all beginning farm businesses fail within the first 5 years of operation?  Ellwood Thompsons (ET) Produce Educator-Heather DeMascio and Virginia State University College of Agriculture (VSU-COA) Cooperative Extension-Dr. Theresa Nartea are teaming together to make a positive change in increasing the success rate for Virginia beginning farm businesses. 

 VSU-COA and ET are working together to develop an ET Food Hub model targeted at priority purchasing from minority and women farmers who have owned and operated their farm for less than five years and who farm within a 100 mile driving distance from the ET store located at 4 N Thompson St, Richmond, VA 23221.  Through an unique partnership with VSU-COA, selected farmer applicants will receive educational training to successfully sell directly to ET and develop their diversified marketing strategy to ensure continuing business success.

 Sincerely,
Dr. Theresa Nartea & Heather DeMascio