Laying Plastic Mulch in Your Operation

Saturday, March 16, 2024 · 10 am–noon 

Providence Forge, Virginia

Be a few steps ahead of the growing season by adding plastic mulch to your farming operation. This demonstration will include laying plastic on 3-foot-wide rows (with drip tape for irrigation). This season-extending farming method includes crowned beds to assist in water runoff, raising the soil temperature 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and ensuring irrigation is localized directly to the root zone. Light snacks, coffee, and water will be provided. The rain date is March 23, 10 am-noon.

For more information, contact Ben Dukes at 804-731-7916 or bdukes@vsu.edu, or James Gibson at 804-720-6826 or jegibson@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.

Hampton Community Gardens Tour

Saturday, September 9, 2023 · 8:30–10 am

Meet at 1296 Thomas Street, Hampton, VA

For many urban dwellers, garden space is at a premium. People that succeed in their personal efforts use a balcony or patio with containers or an indoor windowsill to satisfy their gardening needs, while others may have access to a rooftop or nearby designated space for rent or free use. Hampton has the perfect example of repurposing space to build their community. Currently, 3 separate sites with community gardens have over 25 5x10’ individual plots each, including a few that are ADA accessible. The gardens support collective participation in growing fruits, vegetable, and flowers, sharing labor and harvest for the community areas as well as each gardener’s individual plot. This tour will have docents to share ideas, information, and highlight unique qualities at each location. Guidelines, schedule and a map with addresses will be provided by email/text to registrants prior to beginning of the tour.

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.

Plastic-Laying Demonstration

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 · 9 am–noon

This workshop has been canceled due to weather. 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.

Canceled—Plastic-Laying Demonstration

Monday, June 26, 2023 · 9 am–noon

Creekmore’s Place at Indian River, Virginia Beach, VA

Due to the weather, this workshop has been canceled.

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.

Laying Plastic Mulch in Your Operation

Saturday, April 22, 2023 • 10 am – noon

Have you ever wanted to use plastic mulch in your farming operation, but you didn’t have the proper equipment? This on‑site demonstration of the plastic mulch layer will show you how to lay black plastic and install drip irrigation tape all at once. The plastic mulch layer is one of the best risk management tools a grower can use when planting a new crop.

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, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Drones In Agriculture

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 · 9 am–noon

Nelson, Virginia 

Drones designed for agricultural applications can help small-scale farmers improve yields and lower operational costs. In this workshop, we will look at a recently processed 3D active map on the Drone Deploy Platform. It is from aerial photography captured on a farm. We will see a 360° Panoramic active view, aerial photos of infrastructure, and a video of a farm. Leonel Castillo, UAS-FAA Pilot, will discuss how you can use this aerial photogrammetry with software on the Drone Deploy Platform that helps interpret the images to determine elevation differences, acreage, crop health, soil moisture and waterlogging. There are also tools to measure distances and acreage, and you can view structures and topography in 3D. Participants will also learn how spray drones perform for precision spray applications of nutrients and for insect and pest control, covering areas difficult to access by hand, tractor, or conventional aircraft.

Space is limited to 10 participants.

For more information, contact Michael Carter Sr at 804-481-1163 or mcarter@vsu.edu, or 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.

Drones In Agriculture

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 • 10 am – 1 pm

Carver Center, 9432 N James Madison Hwy, Rapidan, VA

Drones designed for agricultural applications can help small-scale farmers improve yields and lower operational costs. In this workshop, we will look at footage that we recently captured using a 3D active map, a 360° Panorama active view, aerial photos of infrastructure, and a video of a farm. Leonel Castillo, UAS-FAA Pilot, will discuss how you can use this aerial photography with software that interprets the images to determine elevation differences, acreage, crop health, soil moisture and waterlogging. There are also tools to measure distances and acreage, and you can view structures and topography in 3D. Participants will also learn how spray drones can be used for precision spray applications of nutrients and for insect and pest control, covering areas difficult to access by hand, tractor, or conventional aircraft.

Space is limited to 40 participants.

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

Drones In Agriculture

Wednesday, February 15, 2023 · 10 am–noon

Mecklenburg County Extension Office, 311 Washington Street, Boydton, VA, 23924

Artificial Intelligence available for drones can help small-scale farmers improve yields and lower operational costs. In this workshop, we will capture footage to create a 3D active map, a 360 degree Panorama active view, aerial photos of infrastructure, and a video of the farm. Leonel Castillo, UAS- FAA Pilot, will discuss how you can use this aerial photography with software that interprets the images to determine elevation differences, acreage, crop health, soil moisture and waterlogging. You can view structures and topography in 3D. Participants will also learn how spray drones can be used for precision spray applications of nutrients and for insect and pest control, covering areas difficult to access by hand, tractor, or conventional aircraft.

Space is limited to 15 participants.

For more information, contact Leonard Elam at 804-894-3095 or lelam@vsu.edu, or 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.

Black Angus Cattle Operation Tour

CANCELED—Wednesday, November 9, 2022

West Point, Virginia

This event has been canceled. For more information, contact Tracy Porter at 804-481-2566 or tporter@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.

Canceled—Controlled Environment Agriculture Production

Saturday, November 5, 2022 • 9 am–1 pm

Unfortunately, this workshop has had to be canceled. A new date will be announced.

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.

Using Precision Agriculture Drones to Plan and Develop your Small Farm

Wednesday, October 12, 2022 • 1 – 4 PM

Yanceyville, North Carolina

Are you planning to start a small farm operation, downsize your present operation or reorganize your existing enterprise? Precision agriculture drones can help you develop a comprehensive farm plan to create, design and lay out those enterprises.

Agriculture drones can: scout, spray, and seed; collect and use data; distribute irrigation; map your farm and identify borders and property lines; help plan farm structures, security, and workers’ safety; determine equipment locations; and help plan planting and harvesting schedules, and crop yield.

Space is limited to 40 participants.

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.

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.

Spray Drone Demonstration

Friday, August 12 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Wedgewood Golf Center, 2131 Mountain Rd. Halifax, VA

Drones designed for agricultural applications for small-scale farmers can help you improve yields and lower operational costs. To ensure you understand the benefits and usage of drones for precision agriculture, VSU SFOP is offering a basic introduction. Leonel Castillo, UAS-FAA Pilot, will discuss this approach, and explain how drone applications such as map interpretation and utilization can detect soil conditions and plant health. SFOP purchased a spray drone to show how it can enable participants make timely spot applications to efficiently and effectively rid crops of pests and diseases, or remedy nutrient deficiencies. These precision spray applications can cover areas that are difficult to access by hand or boom sprayers and can serve as lower-cost substitutes for conventional aircraft applications. As interest in and use of agricultural drones continues to increase, SFOP wants to ensure you have the technical assistance you need.

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.