Young Vineyard Management

Monday, February 5, 2024 · 1–4 pm

Merry Point, Virginia

Gonzalo Ortiz will share his expertise in starting and managing a young vineyard in this outdoor workshop. The main focus will be dormant season vineyard management of young grape vines for small-sized vineyards, emphasizing winter vineyard management of young vines in their first and second winters. He will explain how to set up a VSP trellis and explore alternatives. He will also share pruning considerations for young grapevines while establishing permanent structures. Lastly, he will discuss considerations and options for managing pruning material. Remember this is an all-outdoor activity: dress accordingly with proper footwear and layer for potential cooler temperatures. Restrooms will not be available.

Space is limited to 25 participants.

For more information, contact Tammy Holler at 804-229-2730, or tholler@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.

Hispanic Vegetable Hoop House Tour

Tuesday, July 11, 2023 · 10 am–noon

Lawrenceville, Virginia 

For more information, contact Leonel Castillo at 804-731-0230 or lcastillo@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.

Nutrient Management for Success—for Hispanic Farmers

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 · 10 am–noon

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

The soil is your farm’s most precious natural resource. Soil testing is the first step to unlocking your soil’s full potential. Tammy Holler, Nutrient Management Specialist with the Small Farm Outreach Program, will discuss the importance of having soil testing done to determine the necessary amendments needed for a successful growing season. She will discuss reading and understanding the test results and what steps are needed in order to improve your soil and have a productive yield. Leonel Castillo, State Program Assistant and Hispanic Outreach specialist, will be on hand to translate.

Space is limited to 10 participants.

For more information, contact Leonel Castillo at 804-731-0230 or lcastillo@vsu.edu, or Tammy Holler at 804-229-2730, or tholler@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.

Filing Farm Taxes for Hispanic Farmers

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 · 10 am–1:30 pm

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

Even if you hire an accountant to assist with filing your farm taxes, there is important information that you need to know as a farmer. Darrell Tennie, the founder and CEO of the Tennie Group, LLC, a tax and accounting firm located in Raleigh, North Carolina, will be leading this workshop, and Leonel Castillo, State Program Assistant and Hispanic Outreach specialist, will be on hand to translate. The workshop will cover the following topics:

• New tax laws and changes.

• Completing Schedule F.

• Recordkeeping.

• Reporting business expenses & deductions.

• Managing enterprise sales.

• Social security management.

• Managing wages.

• Working with nonprofits.

Space is limited to 10 participants.

For more information, contact Leonel Castillo at 804-731-0230 or lcastillo@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.

Hispanic Hoop House Fall Tour

October 25, 2022 • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Lawrenceville, VA

Pedro Lopez, Hispanic Mentor Farmer, will host participants on a Fall Tour of his activities in four hoop houses. The Spring Tour was very successful with participants showing great interest in the innovative activities, so Pedro agreed it would be a good idea to do it again in the Fall. He grows ethnic Hispanic crops, local vegetables, hot peppers, tropical fruits and herbs. Pedro will show participants how he uses reusable geotextile fabric over the beds instead of plastic for total weed control and water conservation. Some innovations include the use of solar panels for lighting and fans, heaters that burn firewood, and a cold storage room to keep vegetables fresh at harvest time.

Space is limited to 10 participants.

For more information, contact Leonel Castillo at 804-731-0230 or lcastillo@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.

Hispanic Urban Garden

Tuesday, July 26 • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Chesterfield, Virginia

Monica Chavez and Martin Gonzalez started gardening four years ago with the idea of supplying vegetables and herbs to their Mexican restaurant. This tour will be a testimony to their efforts and the progress they have made. We will highlight their nursery content (herbs) and design, the raised-bed vegetable garden, their innovative irrigation systems using stored rainwater and a state-of-the-art (low pressure-low impact) sprinkler irrigation system.

Space is limited to 10 participants.

For more information, contact Leonel Castillo at (804) 731-0230 or lcastillo@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.

Hispanic Market Tour

Saturday, May 28 • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

South Hill Farmer’s Market, 105 W. Danville St, South Hill, VA, 23970

Pedro Lopez, Hispanic Mentor Farmer, will host participants on a tour of his market activities at the South Hill and Bracey Farmer’s Markets. Of interest will be the ethnic Hispanic produce, local vegetables, and an assortment of hot peppers. In addition to this, he will share his marketing strategies and networking, including how he copes with market demand by supplying from other sources or redirecting volume to another market.

For more information, contact Leonel Castillo at (804) 731-0230 or lcastillo@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.

Berry and Ginger Production

Thursday, May 12 • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wedgewood Golf Center, 2131 Mountain Rd. Halifax, VA, 24558

Dr. Reza Rafie, Extension Specialist and Professor of Horticulture at VSU will present this workshop. Attendees will learn about innovative methods for producing berry crops, including blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry. You will also learn about growing ginger. He will go over new varieties and comparative production data, planting methods and improved cultivation practices, and yield in field production compared to growing in a high tunnel. This workshop will highlight applied research that will benefit small farmers.

For more information, contact Leonel Castillo at (804) 731-0230 or lcastillo@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.

Hispanic Vegetable Hoop House Tour

Wednesday, May 4 • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Lawrenceville, VA

Pedro Lopez, Hispanic Mentor Farmer, will host participants on a tour of his activities in four hoop houses. He grows ethnic Hispanic crops, local vegetables, and an assortment of hot peppers. He will show participants how he uses reusable geotextile fabric over the beds instead of plastic for total weed control and water conservation. He will also show how he uses solar panels and heaters that burn firewood to run the fans at night.

For more information, contact Leonel Castillo at (804) 731-0230 or lcastillo@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.