Friday, February 18, 2011

Free Gardening Workshops

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Agritourism Programs

Agritourism continues to receive lots of interest from Virginia’s agricultural entrepreneurs.


Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Tourism, and our community partners are pleased to sponsor agritourism programs for local communities. Over the next two months, four programs have been scheduled. Each program will feature the same program agenda with one exception . . . the featured agritourism entity will change showcasing agritourism entrepreneurs from that specific county.

Plan to attend one of the following Agritourism: It’s More Than a Farm Tour programs . . .

· Tuesday, February 22, at the Prince George Electric Coop; 7103 General Mahone Highway (Highway 460) in Waverly, VA 23890 beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding around 3 p.m. Register by Friday, February 18, 2011, by contacting Kelvin Wells at the Sussex County Virginia Cooperative Extension officeby calling 804.834.1309 or by email at kewells2@vt.edu.

· Monday, March 14, at The Nelson Center, 8445 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, Virginia 22949 beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding around 4 p.m. Register by Wednesday, March 9, by contacting www.cvsbdc.org or call 434-295-8198
· Friday, April 1, at the Riverstone Technology Center, 1100 Confroy Drive, Suite 2; South Boston, VA 24592, beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding around 3 p.m. Register by contacting Judy Cantrell, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Halifax County office by e‑mailing cantrelj@vt.edu or calling 434.476.2147 by Monday, March 28, 2011.

· Wednesday, April 6, at the Albemarle County Administration Building, 5th Street, Charlottesville, VA beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding around 3 p.m. For more information and to register call 434-295-8198
If you need additional information, please contact me or your local Extension Educator/Agent.

Martha A. Walker, Ph.D.
Community Viability Specialist
Virginia Cooperative Extension
150B Slayton Avenue, Suite 112D
Danville, VA 24540

Telephone 434.766.6761 - Fax 434.766.6763 walker53@vt.edu

During the workshop, participants will gather information on agritourism possibilities, liability issues, marketing strategies, Sussex County ordinances related to agritourism, and electronic media as a marketing tool. Attendees will also hear Dee Dee Darden share the story of Darden’s Country Store successes and challenges.

The workshop is free, but you must register.

For more information on agritourism programs, please contact Dr. Martha A. Walker, Virginia Cooperative Extension, by phone at 434-766-6761
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Martha A. Walker, Central District Office, at 434-766-6761 during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120 .

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Beef Webinar

Dr. Alex White, Instructor, Dept of Applied and Agricultural Economics at Virginia Tech will be the featured speaker for the Beef Webinar sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension and scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 15th. Dr. White is an Ag Economist, nationally recognized for his expertise in financial management and finance. Closer to home, Dr. White is a very popular teacher noted for his engaging classes and real world problem solving examples.


Dr. White will be providing a discussion of " Sound Financial Management for Cattlemen” with a focus on how producers can begin or improve their financial management practices for 2011. Participants in the on-line meeting will have the opportunity to ask questions through an on-line chat box or over the telephone using a number provided during the program. Check with your Extension Agent about accessing the program at your local office. Producers with high speed internet service can access the meeting at home. The web address to join the meeting is http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/beefcattlewebinar/ . Alternatively, webinar information and meeting links are also available on the VT Beef Extension webpage http://www.vtbeef.apsc.vt.edu/ . From the VT Beef Extension site, you can click on the meeting link and go directly to the meeting.

A recording of the January Beef Webinar can also be accessed through the VT Beef Extension page. The final webinar is scheduled for March 15th and will focus on profitable forage management. If you have questions please contact Mark McCann at 540-231-9153.

Joi D. Saville

Extension Programming Associate

Animal and Poultry Sciences

368 Litton Reaves Hall

Blacksburg, VA 24061-0306

540/231-2257

540/231-3713 (fax)

joi.saville@vt.edu