Catawba Farmers' Market This Week

Grants for Value Added Products

WASHINGTON, August 16, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today invited agricultural producers to apply for grants to increase the value of their products.
"Producers can greatly enhance the bottom line of their businesses and improve their economic prospects when they improve the value of their products, thus expanding their markets and customer base," Vilsack said. "The Value Added Producer Grant program (VAPG) has a proven track record of doing just that and I am pleased to announce that we are inviting producers to apply for these grants by the deadline. The funds in this program enable America's farmers, ranchers and rural business owners to find ways to expand their product offerings, revenue streams and create more economic opportunity by bringing additional value to what they already produce.

Read more….

http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-4f4adb

Catawba Farmers' Market This Week

Catawba Farmers' Market This Week

Catawba Farmers' Market This Week

Catawba Farmers' Market This Week

 

Catawba Farmers' Market This Week

Click on image to enlarge.

Catawba Farmer's Market This Week

Click on image to enlarge.

Catawba Farmer's Market This Week

NEW LEGISLATION PROVIDES GRANTS TO BEEKEEPERS

~ Grants available after January 1, 2013 ~

 On March 30, 2012, Governor McDonnell signed into law legislation from the 2012 session of the Virginia General Assembly that created the Beehive Grant Fund. Grants from the fund, which will be administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), will be available after January 1, 2013.

 The fund will provide up to $125,000 in grants for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 and another $125,000 for FY 2013-2014. Any individual who purchases a new hive or purchases materials or supplies to construct a new hive after January 1 may apply for a grant. Grants will be awarded at $200 per new hive up to $2,400 per person per year of the two-year grant period.

 Registration procedures and the general requirements to qualify for the grant will be published later in the year and will be distributed to interested stakeholders, including the various local beekeeper associations. Interested beekeepers may add their name to the notification list now by e-mailing VABees@vdacs.virginia.gov to be included in all future mailings.

 Beekeepers will find information on VDACS’ apiary inspections, the Virginia Pollinator program and more at vdacs.virginia.gov/plant&pest/apiary.shtml. For additional information, contact Keith Tignor at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 804.786.3515 or keith.tignor@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Catawba Farmer's Market This Week

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Compost Workshop Rescheduled

The compost workshop has been rescheduled to an evening time!!

All You Avid Gardeners
          Want to make your own compost?
          It's Easy!

Join us Wednesday, May 30th          from 6 pm - 9 pm
          at the Catawba Community Center to build your very own compost tumbler!
          The cost is only $75 to cover the cost of materials.

A completed registration form with payment is required by May 29th.

There are limited spaces available on a first-come first-served basis.
      
This workshop is brought to you by the Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District in partnership with the Catawba Sustainability Center and VT EarthWorks.
--
 Christy Gabbard
Director, Catawba Sustainability Center
            - accelerating land-based businesses
        Outreach & International Affairs
        Virginia Tech Roanoke Center
        108 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 701
        Roanoke VA 24016
(540) 767-6114 - office
(540) 558-8010 - mobile
(540) 767-6110 - fax

Catawba Farmer's Market

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Register now for the agritourism workshop in Botetourt County!!

Farms are inviting visitors to tour a vineyard, enjoy hayrides, buy their produce, and eat ice cream made from the local dairy’s milk. If agritourism is part of your business plan for your farm, you will want to attend the Connecting Agritourism & Agricultural Resources: A Local Products Trail workshop.

 Presented by the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, and Virginia Tourism Corporation in partnership with Eagle Rock Ruritans and Botetourt County Office of Tourism, Connecting Agritourism & Agricultural Resources is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2012, and will be held at the Ikenberry’s Orchard located at 2557 Roanoke Road, Daleville, Virginia, beginning at 1 p.m. and concluding around 4 p.m.

During the workshop, participants will gather information on agritourism possibilities, liability issues, marketing strategies, and ideas for generating income from your products. You will also hear from local agritourism entrepreneurs on their successes and their challenges.

The workshop is free, but you must register. To Register: Email Kate Lawrence at mcl87@vt.edu or phone 540.473.8260 by Thursday, May 10, 2012.

Compost Tumbler Workshop

All You Avid Gardeners
Want to make your own compost?
It's Easy!
Join us Thursday, May 10th from 9 am -1 pm at the Catawba Community Center to build your very own compost tumbler! The cost is only $75, which covers the materials.A completed registration form with payment is required by May 8th.
There are limited spaces available on a first-come first-served basis.
See attached brochure/registration form for more detailed information.
This workshop is brought to you by the Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District in partnership with the Catawba Sustainability Center and VT EarthWorks.
--

Christy Gabbard
Director, Catawba Sustainability Center
- accelerating land-based businesses

Outreach & International Affairs
Virginia Tech Roanoke Center
108 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 701
Roanoke VA 24016

(540) 767-6114 - office
(540) 558-8010 - mobile
(540) 767-6110 - fax

Ten Dollars a Week Challenge

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Market Vendors Wanted

Rain Barrel Construction Workshop

Have you ever thought about the amount of rainwater that runs off of your roof and is diverted to the nearest ditch or creek in addition to the amount of runoff from other impervious surfaces? Rainwater that falls on impervious surfaces (e.g., roads, parking lots and roofs) is not able to naturally filter its way through the soil. As a consequence, the water collects pollutants (sediment, pet waste, nutrients from fertilizers) and eventually makes it way into the storm drains and mixes into the lakes and rivers without being treated. By using a rain barrel at your house you can capture water, use it in your garden, and reduce water pollution.

 Join us on March as the Blue Ridge Soil and Water District walks us through construction of a rain barrel at the Catawba Community Center. Each participant will leave the workshop with his or her very own rain barrel.

 Participants must preregister by March 20th and pay $40 for materials. Please see the attached registration form or contact Kathy Smith at (540) 483-5341 ext. 117 or Christy Gabbard at (540) 767-6114 or cgunnels@vt.edu.

 This workshop is offered as part of the Catawba Landcare Learning Series (www.catawbalandcare.org) in partnership with the Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center.

Local Food Networks Conference

Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation & Rural Sustainability (Virginia FAIRS) in partnership with USDA Rural Development and Lulus Local Food are pleased to announce the . . .

2012 Local Food Networks Conference

Monday, February 27, & Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Virginia Farm Bureau

Richmond, Virginia

 Who should attend?

Farmers, farmers’ market managers, school system representatives, community representatives and Extension faculty who are developing local food systems, and anyone who is exploring new marketing opportunities for local foods.

Who is speaking?

Each topic and speaker is designed to transition you from the “big picture” to the specifics. The program is included within the email for your review (see below). Most of the speakers have confirmed, but a few have not yet been able to commit.

How do we register?

Just visit

Complete the registration page.

What does it cost?

$25 per person. This investment includes all meals and conference materials.

Need more information?

Just contact Chris Cook at Virginia Farm Bureau or me . . . we are happy to answer your questions.

Chris and Martha

Chris Cook
Assistant Director Rural Development
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
(o) 804.290.1111
email: ccook@vafb.com
P.O. Box 27552, Richmond, VA 23261
VirginiaFarmBureau.com

 Martha A. Walker, Ph.D.

Community Viability Specialist
Virginia Cooperative Extension
150B Slayton Avenue, Suite 112D
Danville, VA 24540
Telephone 434.766.6761

walker53@vt.edu

Growers Academy

Are you a beginning farmer and want to start a business? Have you been farming but want to explore a different business model? Are you thinking about retirement options and like the idea of your own production business?

If your answer is yes, the Growers Academy is right for you and is now open for enrollment!
This is VT EarthWorks third year offering the Growers Academy in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension. We have learned a lot along the way, and this year is going to be the best Academy yet!
The Growers Academy is designed for graduating participants to walk away with a business and marketing plan, and a firm grasp on basic low-input, land management practices. Participants will receive a Growers Academy notebook and a resource CD, both filled with literature and numerous, valuable resources for you to refer to as you establish your business. If you do not have a land to start your business, don't let that stop you, Growers Academy graduates are eligible to lease space at the Catawba Sustainability Center.
Please see the attached flier for more information on the Growers Academy, or visit http://www.cpe.vt.edu/reg/grac/ to register online. Our syllabus is available upon request. There are limited seats available so register early. The registration deadline is January 17th!
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the Academy or leasing land at the Catawba Sustainability Center.

Christy

--
Christy Gabbard
Director, Catawba Sustainability Center
& VT EarthWorks - accelerating land-based businesses

Outreach & International Affairs
Virginia Tech Roanoke Center
108 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 701
Roanoke VA 24016

(540) 767-6114 - office
(540) 558-8010 - mobile
(540) 767-6110 - fax