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