Category Archives: Meetings, workshops, and other events

2017 Early Season Commercial Tree Fruit Meetings – Winchester Area

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Below are the dates for the upcoming commercial tree fruit meetings.  Drs. Chris Bergh, Sherif Sherif, and Keith Yoder will be providing updated information and will be available for discussions and concerns regarding the upcoming season. 

Thursday, March 30.  In-Depth Meeting 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Seasonal Updates

Program: Dr. Keith Yoder (Pathologist – Virginia Tech AHS Jr. AREC)

 

Thursday, April 13.  Breakfast Meeting 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Seasonal Updates and Breakfast Provided

 

Thursday, April 27.  In-Depth Meeting 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Seasonal Updates

Program: Dr. Sherif Sherif (Horticulturist – Virginia Tech AHS Jr. AREC)

 

Thursday, May 11.  Breakfast Meeting 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Seasonal Updates and Breakfast Provided

 

Thursday, May 25.  In-Depth Meeting 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Seasonal Updates

Program: Dr. Chris Bergh (Entomologist – Virginia Tech AHS Jr. AREC)

 

All meetings will be held at the Alson H. Smith Jr. AREC (Winchester Fruit Lab) at 595 Laurel Grove Road, Winchester, Virginia.  Directions from I-81: take Stephens City exit (Exit 307).  Go west into Stephens City on Fairfax Street and proceed straight through the traffic light onto Rt. 631 (Fairfax Street becomes Marlboro Rd.) and continue west approximately 3.5 miles.  Turn right (north) onto Middle Road (Rt. 628) at the “T”.  Go 1.5 miles north on Middle Road and turn left (west) onto Laurel Grove Road (Rt.629).  Go 0.8 miles to the AREC on the left.

 

Mark Sutphin

Associate Extension Agent | Agriculture and Natural Resources, Horticulture | Unit Coordinator (Frederick)

Serving the counties of Frederick, Clarke, Page, Shenandoah, & Warren

Virginia Cooperative Extension – Frederick County Office | 107 North Kent Street | Winchester, VA 22601

Phone – 540.665.5699 | Fax – 540.722.8380 | Cell – 540.398.8148 | Email – mark.sutphin@vt.edu

 

2017 Rappahannock-Fauquier-Madison Orchard Meetings

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The Rappahannock Extension Office invites each of you to attend a series of in-orchard meetings scheduled from April through July. These meetings will be held in orchards located in Rappahannock, Fauquier, and Madison Counties.

We will meet at the host orchard at 11:00 a.m. for a tour of the orchard, followed by a discussion of current orchard management recommendations. Virginia Tech fruit specialists from the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center will be present to address specific topics. We encourage you to bring samples of insects, diseased foliage or scaffolds for treatment recommendations. We will adjourn around 2:00 p.m. A schedule of meeting locations and directions to the orchards are listed below.

Please call the Extension Office at 540-675-3619 for additional information about these programs.

April 12th In Orchard Meeting
Williams Orchard, Tommy and Eddie Williams, Flint Hill Rt. 211 east to Ben Venue. At the crossroads, turn north on to Rt. 729 and go approximately 2½ miles. Orchard is on the left.

May 10th In Orchard Meeting
Jenkins Orchard, James Jenkins, Woodville, From Rt. 231, turn right on to Rt. 621, go about 2 miles. The orchard is on the left by the packing shed.

June 14th In Orchard Meeting
Stribling Orchard, Robert Stribling and Alex Jeffries
From Flint Hill: Rt. 522 N, turn right on Rt. 635, turn N/left on Rt. 688, the orchard is located near the intersection of Rt. 688 and Rt. 55 in Markham; 11587 Poverty Hollow Ln, Markham, VA 22643

July 19th In Orchard Meeting
Graves’ Mountain Farm, Jimmy Graves, Syria
Rt. 231 to Rt. 670, meet at the picnic shelter on left just past Syria.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Kenner Love, VCE at (540-675-3616/TDD*) during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.

Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA

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Save the dates, January 31 – February 2, 2017, for the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA. The conference schedule is now available at the website: www.mafvc.org/index.php?id=Home

Registration through the Virginia State Horticultural Society should be available soon. Contact Liz White (540.667.9101 or lwhite@green-inc.com) for VSHS registration information.

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule Training – December 9, 2016

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Virginia Cooperative Extension will be holding an FDA approved FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training on Friday, December 9, 2016, at MidAtlantic Farm Credit – Winchester Office.  This building is located at 125 Prosperity Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22602.  The program will run from 8:30am to 4:30pm with registration starting at 8:00am.

Space is limited for this training and is geared towards operations that are covered by the FDA FSMA Produce Safety Rule. See the attached flowchart to help determine if your operation is covered by the ruling and thus requires compliance. “Covered” farm operations are required by law to have at least one “supervisor or responsible party” complete a training utilizing FDA approved curriculum. Full details regarding FSMA can be found on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration website: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm334114.htm

There will be a $150.00* registration fee for the primary attendee from each operation. This will include program materials, certificate, and lunch. Registration for additional attendees from an operation will be $50.00* each and include a completion certificate and lunch.  Pre-registration is required. Please complete and return the enclosed registration form with payment (checks made payable to: Treasurer, Virginia Tech) by December 2, 2016.  Walk-in attendees will not be permitted.  If you have any questions, I can be reached at the Frederick Office or by email: mark.sutphin@vt.edu.

Registration form and details: fsma-produce-safety-rule-training-12-9-16

*Cost reduction may apply for Virginia operations through VDACS grant funding. Please contact Mark Sutphin (mark.sutphin@vt.edu or 540.665.5699) for specifics.

AREC Open House – August 13th

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Please find info attached regarding the public open house that will be held at Virginia Tech’s Alson H. Smith, Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) near Winchester, VA. You may come and go as you please throughout the 1:00pm – 5:00pm open house. Weather permitting, wagon tours of the farm and research plots will be at 1:30pm and 3:30pm.

Open House Flyer_2016

This is a hidden resource that greatly supports Virginia’s agriculture industry. Feel free to attend and bring a friend for the rare opportunity to see behind the scenes and the workings of the center.

Alson H. Smith, Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC)

595 Laurel Grove Road

Winchester, VA 22602

 

Virginia Fruit & Orchard Day Tour (Timberville Area) – Wednesday, July 13th

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We have a fantastic day tour of several Mt. Jackson/Timberville area fruit operations scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, 2016.  The tour will include orchards, a retail market, a packing operation, a processing operation, a cidery, a catered lunch, and dinner.  We plan to arrange a coach for participants traveling from the Winchester area.  There will also be other transportation and carpooling options planned as the need dictates.  If you are interested in this day tour, please complete the registration on the attached brochure and send in the registration fee of $35.00/each by July 1, 2016. Timberville VA Tour

Feel free to contact me for additional information or any clarifications.

We continue to thank our Tree Fruit Program Sponsors for making this educational tour possible:

Adams County Nursery, Inc.

Andros Foods North America

Bank of Clarke County

BASF Technical Service

Certis USA, LLC

Crop Production Services

DuPont Crop Protection

First Bank & Trust Company

Frederick County Fruit Growers Association

Gowan Company, LLC

Helena Chemical Company

Knouse Foods Co-Op., Inc.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit, FLCA

Southern States

The Valley Fertilizer & Chemical Company, Inc.

True North Foliar

Valent U.S.A. Corporation

Virginia Farm Bureau

Winchester Equipment Company

 

Mark Sutphin

Associate Extension Agent | Agriculture and Natural Resources, Horticulture | Unit Coordinator (Frederick)

Serving the counties of Frederick, Clarke, Page, Shenandoah, & Warren

Virginia Cooperative Extension – Frederick County Office | 107 North Kent Street | Winchester, VA 22601

Phone – 540.665.5699 | Fax – 540.722.8380 | Cell – 540.398.8148 | Email – mark.sutphin@vt.edu

http://offices.ext.vt.edu/frederick/ | http://vacoopext.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/VCE-Northern-Shenandoah-Valley-Agriculture-and-Natural-Resources/183932085102951

 

2016 Carroll-Patrick Orchard Tour – May 26th

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The 2016 Carroll-Patrick Orchard Tour will be on Thursday, May 26 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Tour begins at the Levering Orchard packinghouse: 2324 Orchard Gap Road, Ararat, VA 24053.

RSVP to 276.730.3110 for a lunch count. Lunch donated by W. O. Hill & Son.

 

orchardtour2016

Suzanne Slack

Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent

Virginia Cooperative Extension

205 Oak Street- Suite 102

Hillsville, VA 24343

sslack@vt.edu 

(276)-730-3116

 

 

 

Commercial Cider Production Workshop: June 16, 2016 in Winchester, VA

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When:   Thursday, June 16th 9:00am – 3:30pm

Where: Alson H. Smith, Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center

595 Laurel Grove Road, Winchester, Virginia 22602

Who:     Beginning & Established Commercial Cider Makers

What:    The focus of this field day is to showcase current research projects geared towards cider apple production and fermentation. Participants will learn about cider fermentation and yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) as well as the impacts of harvest maturity and postharvest storage on cider quality. The workshop will also include a visit to a variety trial orchard block, a sensory faults demonstration, and regional cider evaluations (participants to bring cider for demo). There will also be a networking lunch and a concluding discussion to assess the future directions of the Virginia cider industry.

Cost:      $20.00 per person – (Registration Fee due by June 10th)

– Checks made payable to VCE-Frederick – Please mail to 107 N. Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601

– No cash or credit cards accepted and attendance is limited to the first 48 registrants

– Include contact information with/on check (phone, address, and email preferred)

  • Learn about: Cider Fermentation, Intro to yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN), crop load and YAN, how YAN impacts fermentation, fungicide residues and fermentation, sensory faults demo, regional cider evaluations, cider apple varieties, orchard production systems, tour a variety trial orchard block, harvest maturity, postharvest storage and cider quality, and a wrap-up discussion regarding future industry directions
  • Speakers include: Dr. Amanda Stewart; Dr. Greg Peck; Tom Boudreau (MS Student); Brianna Ewing (MS Student)
  • Please contact Mark Sutphin ( mark.sutphin@vt.edu ) or 540.665.5699 for additional information.

The event is rain or shine and will require some outside walking. Please come dressed accordingly and wear closed-toe shoes.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Mark Sutphin, Frederick County Extension, at (540) 665-5699/TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Interim Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.

There will be a charge of $50.00 for all returned checks.

2016 Cider Workshop Flyer

2016 Tree Fruit Meetings – Rappahannock/Madison/Fauquier

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Rappahannock/Madison/Fauquier County Tree Fruit Meetings:

The Rappahannock Extension Office invites each of you to attend a series of in-orchard meetings scheduled from April through July. These meetings will be held in orchards located in Rappahannock, Fauquier, and Madison Counties.

We will meet at the host orchard at 11:00 a.m. for a tour of the orchard, followed by a discussion of current orchard management recommendations. Virginia Tech fruit specialists from the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension  Center will be present to address specific topics. We encourage you to bring samples of insects, diseased foliage or scaffolds for treatment recommendations.  After the orchard tour we will have a bagged lunch (bring your own); drinks will be furnished by the host orchardist.  We will adjourn around 2:00 p.m.

March 11th Grafting Workshop – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Madison Extension Office

April 20th In Orchard Meeting Williams Orchard, Tommy and Eddie Williams, Flint Hill Rt. 211 east to Ben Venue.  At the crossroads, turn north on to Rt. 729 and go approximately 2½ miles.  Orchard is on the left

May 25th In Orchard Meeting James Jenkins, Jenkins Orchard, Woodville, From Rt. 231, turn right on to Rt. 621, go about 2 miles. The orchard is on the left by the packing shed.

June 15th In Orchard MeetingFrom Flint Hill: Rt. 522 N, turn right on Rt. 635, turn N/left on Rt. 688, both orchards are located near the intersection of Rt. 688 and Rt. 55 in Markham. Stribling and Hartland Orchards, Robert Stribling and Bill Green, Markham

July 20th Graves Mountain Farm Graves’ Mountain Farm, Jimmy Graves, Syria Rt. 231 to Rt. 670, meet at the picnic shelter on left just past Syria.

Please call the Extension Office at 540-675-3619 for additional information about these programs.

Sincerely,

Kenner Love

Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Crop and Soil Sciences

 

 

2016 Spring Tree Fruit Meetings – Winchester, Virginia

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Winchester Area Spring Tree Fruit Meetings:

Below are the dates for the upcoming commercial tree fruit meetings.  Drs. Keith Yoder and Chris Bergh will be providing updated information and will be available for discussions and concerns regarding the upcoming season.  Please find more information and seasonal updates at the Virginia Cooperative Extension – Tree Fruit Website:  http://www.anr.ext.vt.edu/tree-fruit/   To receive email notifications of updates and blog posts, simply go to the website and enter your email address on the right hand side at the “Subscribe” tool.

Thursday, March 31.  In-Depth Meeting 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Seasonal Updates

Program: Dr. Keith Yoder (Pathologist – Virginia Tech AHS Jr. AREC)

 

Thursday, April 21.  Breakfast Meeting 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Seasonal Updates and Breakfast Provided

 

Thursday, May 5.  In-Depth Meeting 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Seasonal Updates

Program: invited guest and/or grower panel on thinning

 

Thursday, May 19.  Breakfast Meeting 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Seasonal Updates and Breakfast Provided

 

Thursday, June 2.  In-Depth Meeting 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Seasonal Updates

Program: Dr. Chris Bergh (Entomologist – Virginia Tech AHS Jr. AREC)

 

All meetings will be held at the Alson H. Smith Jr. AREC (Winchester Fruit Lab) at 595 Laurel Grove Road, Winchester, Virginia.  Directions from I-81: take Stephens City exit (Exit 307).  Go west into Stephens City on Fairfax Street and proceed straight through the traffic light onto Rt. 631 (Fairfax Street becomes Marlboro Rd.) and continue west approximately 3.5 miles.  Turn right (north) onto Middle Road (Rt. 628) at the “T”.  Go 1.5 miles north on Middle Road and turn left (west) onto Laurel Grove Road (Rt.629).  Go 0.8 miles to the AREC on the left.

 

Thank You, 2016 Sponsors!

Adams County Nursery, Inc.

Andros Foods North America

Bank of Clarke County

BASF Technical Service

Certis USA, LLC

Crop Production Services

DuPont Crop Protection

First Bank & Trust Company

Frederick County Fruit Growers Association

Gowan Company, LLC

Helena Chemical Company

Knouse Foods Co-Op., Inc.

MidAtlantic Farm Credit, FLCA

Southern States

The Valley Fertilizer & Chemical Company, Inc.

True North Foliar

Valent U.S.A. Corporation

Virginia Farm Bureau

Winchester Equipment Company

 

 

Mark Sutphin

Associate Extension Agent | Agriculture and Natural Resources, Horticulture | Unit Coordinator (Frederick)

Serving the counties of Frederick, Clarke, Page, Shenandoah, & Warren

Virginia Cooperative Extension – Frederick County Office | 107 North Kent Street | Winchester, VA 22601

Phone – 540.665.5699 | Fax – 540.722.8380 | Cell – 540.398.8148 | Email – mark.sutphin@vt.edu