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.

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.

Jamaican Sorrel Workshop

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 · 10 am–12:30 pm

VSU Randolph Farm Pavilion, 4415 River Rd, Petersburg, VA

Jamaican sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa), also known as Florida cranberry, roselle, or just sorrel in the Caribbean, is a plant that dates back 6,000 years. Learn how to prepare, produce, process, and market the blossoms of this plant. This plant has incredible health benefits. According to Whole Foods, it is one of the top 10 food trends for 2022, and according to Forbes, “Hibiscus or Sorrel will be the biggest flavor of 2022.” This plant is small-crop and backyard-friendly due to its harvest needs. The first 50 registered participants will receive a sorrel plant upon attendance on March 27.

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, 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 High Value Produce

Thursday, December 21 · 9am—3pm

N.C. Cooperative Extension - Bertie County Center, 104 Lancaster Avenue Windsor, NC 27983

Are you interested in growing vegetables and fruits in unconventional ways to increase your farm profitabiity? Come join us on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at the Bertie County Extension Center in Windsor, NC.

Learn about growing options to produce higher value vegetable and fruit crops in northeast North Carolina. Including:

• Hydroponics/Aquaponics

• High tunnel and other season extension techniques

• Organic Certification for vegetable and fruit production.

The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will last until 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Registration is free, but required.

For more information, contact Derrick Cladd at 804-892-4489 or dcladd@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.

Starting a Hydroponic Growing System

Wednesday, November 2 • 1 pm – 4 pm

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

Hydroponics is a growing industry in which farmers produce vegetables in a nutrient solution without soil. Chris Mullins, VCE horticulture specialist at VSU, will discuss the proper way to set up a hydroponic system using basic materials from the local hardware store. Chris will present information on which system is most cost-effective, what crops grow best, production issues and ways to resolve them, and most importantly food safety. He will also talk about the differences between hydroponics and aquaponic systems. We will start the workshop in the Pavilion, and then move out to the farm to see the hydroponic garden.

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.

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.