Agricultural Outreach Info Session

This event has been cancelled.

Food Loss and Waste Policy

Tuesday, December 17, 2024 · 11:00 am– 12:00 pm

Online Zoom Event

Why should we care about food waste?

Food loss and waste has far-reaching impacts on food security and the environment. Reducing it could benefit us all. In the United States, over one-third of all available food goes uneaten through loss or waste. When food is tossed aside, so too are opportunities for improved food security, economic growth, and environmental prosperity. USDA is uniquely positioned to help address the problem of food loss and waste through its programs, policies, and guidance. A policy analyst with the USDAs Office of the Chief Economist will present information on the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics.  This National Strategy lays out a path for the United States to meet its national goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50% by 2030.

For more information, contact Ben Dukes at 804-731-7916 or 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.

Winter Agriculture Gathering - Preparing for a Productive 2025

This event has been postponed until 2025. Please check the calendar for the new date.

Come network with others and visit with local Ag & Conservation partners at their interactive booths. Stations will focus on:

• Winter Farm Safety Tips

• Funding Opportunities – grants & more

• Farm Finances - Am I Covered?

Youth activities will be offered. Door prizes will be given. Sign up to make a free farm Holiday Ornament Craft.

A catered dinner will be provided. Registration required by December 2nd.

For more information, contact Amanda "Mandy" Fletcher at 804-892-0108, or afletcher@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.

Farming With Probiotics

Friday, November 15, 2024 · 12 pm– 1:30 pm

VSU Randolph Farm, 4415 River Rd, Petersburg, Virginia

Are you looking to improve soil health, create better compost, improve the health of your livestock, and make your own organic fertilizer for pennies on the dollar? This workshop will cover all of these topics, along with the benefits of incorporating lactic acid bacteria (LAB) into your farm inputs. We will also discuss how to create LAB and store it to make it shelf-stable

For more information, contact Derrick Gooden at 804-586-5352 or dgooden@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.

Opportunities for Veteran Farmers

Monday, November 11, 2024 · 6 pm– 8 pm

Online Zoom Event

Join VSU SFOP, Carter Farms and Africulture as we honor and acknowledge the valiant service of U.S. Armed Forces veterans on Veteran Day.  U.S. Armed Forces veterans will share and discuss various opportunities and programs for military veterans in agriculture.  This virtual workshop will be moderated by Michael Carter Jr, of Carter Farms LLC and Africulture.  We will discuss programs, incentives and initiatives as well as farming can be a form of therapy to assist in dealing with some of the post military realities that our veterans face.

For more information, contact 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.

USDA Information Session

Thursday, October 24, 2024 · 4 pm– 6 pm

VSU Randolph Farm, 4415 River Rd, Petersburg, Virginia

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 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.

USDA Non-insured Crop Disaster Program for Farmers

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 • 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Abingdon, VA

Wayne Harless from USDA Farm Service Agency will be sharing information about the Non- insured Crop Disaster Program, including:

• What is NAP (Non-insured Crop Disaster Program)

• Who is eligible for NAP

• What crops are eligible

• How NAP works

• Program Requirements (Farm Records, Production Records, etc.)

• Options for Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers

• Coverage Options

A meal will be served! Register no later than May 20th to reserve your spot. Call, text, or email Mandy Fletcher at 804-892-0108 or afletcher@vsu.edu for more information.

For more information, contact Mandy Fletcher at (804) 892-0108 or afletcher@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.

May 9, 2017
9:00am - 1:00 pm

Lake County Advanced Knowledge Center
118 East Danville Street, South Hill, VA

REGISTER ONLINE: https://goo.gl/forms/jgHqMZwB2ofsfRli1

Many services exist on the federal, state and local level to assist small farmers and ranchers. However, often those who are new to farming and ranching are lost in a maze of government alphabet soup as they try to access these services. This workshop is designed to help small farmers learn how to take advantage of these valuable programs and provide them with critical information vital to the success of their farming or ranching enterprise. 

For more information, call the Small Farm Outreach Program office at (804) 524-5626 or contact Small Farm Agent Marilyn Estes (mestes@vsu.edu / (804) 481-0485).