USDA Information Update

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 · 2–4 pm

Shenandoah Valley Agriculture, Research and Extension Center, 128 Cyrus McCormick Circle, Raphine, VA

Learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct or guaranteed loans, as well as programs, service, and cost-share opportunities from other USDA agencies. Beginning, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers can get help to prepare applications for farm ownership and operating loans and learn about the requirements for borrowing. Find out about the resources and current grants that are available from USDA, including the Rural Development Renewable Energy for America (REAP) grant and loan guarantee program, Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program, and Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs are also available. These programs can help you implement conservation practices to reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters.

For more information, contact Forrest Hobbs at  804-892-5910 or fhobbs@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

All About Peanuts

Tuesday, July 2, 2024 · 10–11 am

Zoom Event

Peanut production may be confined to only one area in Virginia, but the peanut industry has deep roots here and is still thriving today. Come and learn all about what makes Virginia peanuts so unique. We will take a deep dive into the history of Virginia peanuts, the peanut plant, and the peanut industry in Virginia and the United States.

For more information, contact Ben Dukes at  804-731-7916, or email  bdukes@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Growing Ethnic Crops for Soil Health and Nutrient Density

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 · 6:30–8 pm

Unionville, Virginia

Join us at Carter Farms to explore how various ethnic specialty crops impact soil health, soil erosion, resource management and native pollinators. We will learn about leaf nutrient analysis and how these plants compare to more traditionally grown produce in Virginia. We will also discuss Climate Smart Agriculture and how to practice it in your farming operations. Learn with Michael Carter Jr. of Carter Farms and Africulture as we dive deeper into the soil and the plants he grows.

For more information, contact Roland Terrell at (804) 892-4612 or rterrell@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Controlled Environment Agriculture

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 · 10–11 am

Zoom Event

Are you curious about indoor farming, or is your farm limited in acreage? In this workshop, Dr. Kaylee South, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech, will define controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and explore different CEA facility types and systems, including hydroponic production. You will learn about some of the benefits and challenges of CEA and look at current and upcoming resources for CEA production.

For more information, contact Ben Dukes at  804-731-7916, or email  bdukes@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its 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, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Farm Pond Management

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 · 1–3 pm

Burkeville, Virginia

Mackenzie Gunn, Virginia Cooperative Extension agent for Amelia County, holds BS degrees in marine studies and agriculture, and a masters degree in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture. She will discuss pond construction, the factors affecting pond management through nutrients and seasonal changes, common aquatic weeds and how to manage them, stocking your pond, fish management, and how to take water samples to assess the health of your pond water.

Space is limited to 20 participants.

For more information, contact Marilyn Estes at 804-481-0485 or mestes@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its 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, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Southside Sustainable Ag Tour

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

This tour has been canceled.

For more information, contact Clifford Somerville at 804-892-4581 or csomerville@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

DCR Information Session

Hosted by the Carroll Grayson Cattle Producers Association and the New River Soil and Water Conservation District

Thursday, March 2, 2023 · 6:30–8:30 pm

Crossroads Small Business Development Center, 1117 E Stuart Drive Galax, VA 24333

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation CostShare Programs are administered by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD). The goal is to improve water quality in our streams, rivers, and the nearby Chesapeake Bay. As an incentive, costshare assistance is offered to implement Best Management Practices. Participation in these programs is voluntary, and they offer their expertise at no cost. Funding is based on what the District has available and how your practice ranks compared to other applications they receive; though funding is not guaranteed.

Register by Monday, February 27! Call Steve Pottorff at 276-730-3113 or Kevin Spurlin at 276-773-2491.

For more information, contact Brent Noell at 804-892-0140 or bnoell@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its 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, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Pond Management

Wednesday, July 20 • 8:30–11:00 AM

Wytheville Community College, 1000 E Main St., Wytheville, VA 24382 · Meet at the Pond!

There are 80,000 ponds in Virginia. If your farm has one, this workshop is for you. Participants will learn the basic management practices to improve their ponds. This program will present critical information on managing and keeping a fish population in balance, improving water quality, and the use of lime in pond maintenance. We will also discuss the importance of dam maintenance and vegetation control.

Space is limited to 20 participants.

For more information, contact Brent Noell at (804) 892-0140 or bnoell@vsu.edu.

Registration is opening soon. Please check back here to learn when we’ve opened it, or better yet, subscribe to receive our weekly event emails to learn right from your inbox when you can register. Subscribe now.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its 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, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Boots to Roots 2: Down on the Farm

Tuesday, May 24 • 8 AM – 1 PM

VSU Randolph Farm Pavilion, 4415 River Road, Petersburg, VA 23803

This workshop is an on-the-farm event for military veteran farmers, ranchers, and landowners, especially for those new and beginning veteran farmers who want to learn more about what it takes to farm profitably and sustainably. We will tour the Randolph Farm and learn about various enterprises such as urban farming, aquaculture, small ruminants, vegetable production, berry production, high tunnel production, and more. We will also learn about the USDA and other agencies that partner with us to support farmers.

For more information, contact James (Tony) Edwards at (804) 720-2588 or jtedwards@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its 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, military status, or any other basis protected by law.