Agritourism Symposium

Register now for the next Agritourism symposium . . .

Your agritourism partners . . . Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS), and Virginia Tourism Corporation in partnership with Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. are pleased to announce

Agritourism: It’s More Than a Farm Tour

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Southhampton Agriculture Museum

26315 Heritage Rd, Courtland, VA 23837-1209

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The symposium is free but you must register . . .

To register contact Teisha Evans at the Southampton County Virginia Cooperative Extension office, by Friday, August 20, 2010, by calling 757.653.2572 or by email at tevans71@vt.edu.

Program includes . . .

Defining Virginia’s Agritourism/Agritainment.................................................... LeAnne Dubois

Virginia Department Agriculture and Consumer Services

Developing the Idea and Managing the Liability

Martha A. Walker, Ph.D., Virginia Cooperative Extension

Clay Francis, Virginia Farm Bureau

Marketing Strategies & Virginia’s SOLs............................................................... Sandra Tanner

Lunch . . . Sponsored by Hubs Peanuts

Electronic Marketing.............................................................................................. Theresa Nartea

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Customer Service: Over-the-Top Strategies ....................................... Martha Walker, Ph.D

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Brags & Blunders................................................... Southampton Outfitters, Mark Pope (invited)

Bruce Phillips Farms (invited)

Museum Tour by Linda Updike

Strengthening Shenandoah County's Agricultural Sector

Forums Focused on Supporting and Enhancing our Agricultural Viability and Profitability

Over the coming months, Shenandoah Forum will sponsor a series of public forums and workshops presenting options for supporting and enhancing the viability and profitability of Shenandoah County's agricultural base. The project - dubbed Farm to Table --- targets Shenandoah County's diverse farming sector. This includes farming operations of all sizes and types - whether traditional or modern, long standing or new, large or small. It will include programs to assist current and prospective farmers, farms involved in agritourism, as well as our vineyards and wineries, orchards, woodlots and trout farms.

While spotlighting the farming community, the forums are also intended for consumers who value local resources and look for ways to ensure their availability and public officials seeking to realize the Comprehensive Plan's vision of a rural character and sustainable agricultural future for Shenandoah County.

Shenandoah County ranks fifth in overall agriculture production in the Commonwealth. With an annual gross farm income of more than $100 million, agriculture is the highest earning industry in Shenandoah County and relates closely to the success of other industries, such as tourism, within the county.

A vibrant and healthy agricultural community is vital to the strength, health and future of Shenandoah County and the Forum believes that developing a strong local food system is key to that vibrancy and health, and an important form of community wealth.

Forums Scheduled for March and April

The project will begin in March with a series of two public forums, each a two-hour evening program addressing long-term financing options for farms.

Forum #1: Extending the Season: Long-term Planning Options

Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010

Time: Dinner at 6:00pm, Presentation at 7:00pm

Location: Creekside, 107 North Main Street, Edinburg, Virginia

Speaker: Ron Hanson is the Neal Harlan Professor of Agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Hanson is a widely travelled national speaker on the importance of family relationships and the future of the family farm. Dr. Hanson's presentation "You Can Buy the Family Farm But Remember I Still Own It" identifies and discusses issues confronting succession of a family-owned farm business. This humorous and motivating message is filled with "true to life" anecdotes to help families work through the process of moving America's agriculture to the next generation -- vital to the future of our economy and our society.

Please RSVP by March 4, 2010 if you plan to attend the March 18th Forum.

By phone - 540.333.3681 or by email at info@ShenandoahForum.org


Forum #2: Sowing the Seeds: Building Lasting Agriculture

Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Time: Dinner at 6:00pm, Presentation at 7:00pm

Location: Creekside, 107 North Main Street, Edinburg, Virginia

Speaker: Craig Sweger is the 2008-2009 Program Director for the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program with University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Entrepreneurship Excellence. Mr. Sweger is an experienced agricultural businessman and respected advocate for the agricultural community who has for decades been connecting economic development leaders and members of the agricultural community. Mr. Sweger will discuss the successes and challenges of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program. This program keeps land, farms and farmers in the business of farming by linking farmers with available agriculture-based and business support-based resources. The evening will also include a discussion on innovative financing options for farmers, farms, and the land.

Please RSVP by March 24, 2010 if you plan to attend the April 7th Forum.

By phone - 540.333.3681 or by email at info@ShenandoahForum.org


Fall 2010 Events

The third in the Shenandoah Forum 2010 Farm to Table Series, To Market, To Market..., to be held in September, will focus on effective marketing approaches and adding value to existing agricultural products. For this all-day event, local producers and businesses will be invited to set up vendor booths, participate on panel discussions, and contribute to a locally-sourced lunch. Speakers will address topics such as current commodity markets and changing market demands. In addition, smaller break-out sessions are planned on topics such as direct farm sales, farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture and agritourism, and food security.

A final celebratory event, Reaping the Harvest: A Celebration of the Land and It's Bounty, also planned for September, is a fundraiser dinner to augment the Valley's Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign and will feature locally grown and prepared foods.

Throughout this series, Shenandoah Forum hopes to raise the awareness of our community that, even in today's convenience food economy, 'Eating is an Agricultural Act' -- one that deserves our attention and support. The goal of the series is to better understand how we can achieve a more secure future for our community through a locally sustainable food system that creates more profitable farming practices and more informed choices for healthy living.

To RSVP for either the March 18th or April 7th Forum.

Phone - 540.333.3681 or email info@ShenandoahForum.org

17th Annual OGS Spring Conference

Early Bird registration for the 17th Annual OGS Spring Conference is now open!

Join over 1300 farmers, gardeners, activists, and consumers March 6 & 7, 2010 at the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA) for the southeast's largest sustainable living conference. If you register before February 12th at 5pm, just $40 per day buys you a general registration, and access to over 60 classes! The 6th annual Childrens Program is for kids aged 7-12, and costs $30 per day. Additional hands on workshops and cooking classes are $5 each. REGISTER NOW!!!! See you there, green thumb.

More information about this event can be found at www.organicgrowersschool.org

2009 Sheep and Goat Short Course

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009

Time: registration starts 8:00 a.m.

Place: WV State Fairgrounds, WV University Bldg., Lewisburg, WV

All interested persons welcome.

for more info, http://www.sheepwv.org

From Commodity to Communities: Building Resilient Food System Networks for the Roanoke Region

Join us on Saturday, October 24th at Grandin Gardens, while we continue our efforts to activate our local food system.

Last May, Lynchburg Grows hosted Will Allen, a MacArthur Fellowship awardee and founder of Growing Power, Inc. to start a dialogue with local foods advocates from across the state about how to build our regional local food systems. The Urbiculture Foundation volunteered to host the Roanoke Regional conference this October. This is the result of our efforts.

Some of the things on the agenda are:

· Learn how Lynchburg started its first urban farm by its founder, Michael Van Ness. Lynchburg Grows is a 6.5 acre urban farm with 2 acres under glass. After reading in the Lynchburg News & Advance about the destruction of a vegetable garden at a local home for disabled individuals due to a miscommunication, the founding members of Lynchburg Grows came together to rebuild the garden. While working on the garden, the members decided to expand their mission to help all disadvantaged persons enjoy the healthy benefits of gardening and having access to such spaces.

· Talk with Christy Gabbard, the head of planning for The Catawba Sustainability Center. The center, which has been in the works for about a year, aims to be an example for landowners of the benefits of sustainable farming and the promotion of environmental stewardship in the community. Christy says, “one thing that struck me is that we talk about sustainability in each of our disciplines, but there's not really a place to showcase sustainability across disciplines." Catawba Sustainability Center is kicking off EarthWorks, a program designed to accelerate land-based businesses through a variety of services, including: low cost land-lease arrangements, aggregation space, access to larger markets, training, access to innovative technology and business planning support services.

· Rachel Theo-Maurelli will continue her efforts of facilitating an open forum, where we can share our ideas and come up with the next action steps to take. Rachel started a dialogue two years ago and has been progressing to this point. Some ideas that already have come up and which will be discussed are the Cleveland Ave Urban Farm, which is in the development stage; the Roanoke Community Gardens, which is in its second year and has recently received a CDBG from the City of Roanoke; and the local foods program recently started at Grandin Court Elementary. If you have any specific ideas you want to share at length, email Rachel: communityventures@cox.net

· The 2009 Food Security Conference Ron McCorkle will summarize the conference and share ideas applicable to our area, as well as national food policy. This year’s conference is about our philosophy of how food is perceived. Also, the conference will be talking about efforts to change the emphasis of federal farm policy, toward a more community-based and community-owned structure.

· Local Roots Café may have special items for us to purchase.

· Visit the Grandin Village Farmers Market before the conference. (8am-12noon every Saturday)

· After the conference, Celebrate the Grandin Gardens 350 Harvest Festival.

You are invited to share:

Apple Butter, Smoothies, Popcorn, and A Recycled Scarecrow making Contest!

You can make a scarecrow at Grandin Gardens or bring yours from home. Contest judging at 2 PM if you want to win a Beautiful Full harvest Basket!

MUSIC and presentations:

** "What is 350.org?" Chad Braby, Cool Cities

** Solar Ovens and “What can I do to make a difference", Katherine Devine and students

** Plowshare Peace and Justice Center info

The conference will be from 9AM until 12Noon on Saturday, October 24th at Grandin Gardens. To help pay for expenses, we are asking for a donation of $10, or whatever you can. Please invite everyone you think is involved with our local foods system, from seed saver to consumer and every piece!

Grandin Gardens (map it)
1731 Grandin Road,
Roanoke, VA 24015

Virginia to host Mid-Atlantic Grass Finished Livestock Conference, Oct. 23-24

Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Clemson Extension, and West Virginia University Extension Service have partnered to organize the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Grass Finished Livestock Conference. The two-day conference will take place at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Staunton, Va. on Oct. 23 and 24, 2009.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Merging the Art and Science of Grass Finishing.”

“This high-caliber conference will provide producers and agricultural professionals with science-based information about producing and marketing a consistently high-quality grass-finished product,” said Chris Teutsch, Extension forage specialist at Virginia Tech’s Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Blackstone, Va. “It will cover forage systems for grass finishing, alternative marketing outlets, small-scale processing facilities, healthy grazing systems, supplementation in pasture finishing, factors affecting meat quality, and genetics for grass finishing. It will also feature a meat cutting and cooking demonstration and a grass-finished success story from Yanceyville, N.C.”

Nationally and internationally recognized experts will deliver science-based information to producers and communicate the art of applying that science in the field:

Anibal Pordomingo of the University of La Pampa in Santa Rosa will talk about designing “forage chains” to meet the high nutritional requirements of finishing animals. He is both a university researcher and a grass-finished beef producer.

Denise Mainville, assistant professor of agricultural and applied economics at Virginia Tech, will present recent research addressing alternative markets for pasture-finished beef.

Joe Cloud of T and E Meats in Harrisonburg, Va. will discuss challenges and opportunities for small-scale processing facilities. He will provide conference participants with the unique perspective of a small-scale processor of grass-finished livestock.

Ed Rayburn, forage Extension specialist at West Virginia University, will talk about the ecology of pasture systems and how to build healthy grazing systems with strong nutrient cycles. He brings a unique perspective with undergraduate and graduate training in ecology, not forages.

John Andrae, forage Extension specialist at Clemson University, will tackle supplementation in pasture-based finishing systems and its impact on meat quality. He conducts pasture-finishing research in South Carolina and has a comprehensive knowledge of forage systems in the southeastern United States.

Susan Duckett, professor and endowed chair in Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Clemson University, will talk about factors affecting meat quality and health benefits of pasture-finished livestock. An internationally renowned meat scientist, Duckett has the ability to bring the biochemistry of meats to a level that producers and consumers can understand and appreciate.

Jeremy Engh of Lakota Ranch in Remington, Va., will discuss the importance of cattle genetics in grass-finishing systems. He not only produces and markets grass-finished beef but also hosts Virginia’s only forage-based bull test.

V. Mac Baldwin of Baldwin Family Farms in Yanceyville, N.C., will tell the story of his grass-fished beef operation and provide tips on marketing. Baldwin uses large framed animals that produce an exceptionally lean product. He direct markets this product to health-conscious consumers and has developed a wholesale marketing arrangement with a major retailer.

Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm in Swoope, Va., will provide a guided tour of his farm. A leader and innovator in the local food movement for decades, Salatin will discuss the various enterprises on his farm and his marketing methodology.

The early registration fee is $200 per participant and must be postmarked by Sept. 15, 2009. After that date, the registration fee is $300 per participant. Students qualify for a reduced registration rate. Make sure to register early as space is limited. A special conference rate for hotel rooms is available on a limited basis. To make room reservations, contact the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Staunton, Va., at 1-800-932-9061.

For more information or to register for the conference, contact Margaret Kenny at (434) 292-5331 or makenny@vt.edu.

Virginia Cooperative Extension (www.ext.vt.edu/) brings the resources of Virginia’s land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, to the people of the commonwealth. Through a system of on-campus specialists and locally based agents, it delivers education in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, community viability, and 4-H youth development. With a network of faculty at two universities, 107 county and city offices, 13 agricultural research and extension centers, and six 4-H educational centers, Virginia Cooperative Extension provides solutions to the problems facing Virginians today.

Virginia Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship Program—

A Two-Part Workshop Series Focused on Food Safety Regulations, Product Development, Business Planning & Local Marketing Opportunities

November 16 & November 23, 2009

Airlie Conference Center— Warrenton Virginia

$40 per day, $80 to attend both days

Scholarships are available based on need.

More information and complete resources are available online at: http://vagaf.blogspot.com/.

Notice that on November 16, Kate Fitzgerald from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is planning to present on the current status of food safety legislation in Congress and on November 23, Adam Diamond from the USDA is planning to discuss new local food research results and new local food distribution models.

Additionally, on November 23, Stacy Miller is planning to join us from the Farmers Market Coalition and we will have a series of topics related to farmers markets including speakers and panelist who are directly involved with organizing, selling at or analyzing farmers markets and other direct to consumer food outlets.

Cultivating Sustainability Conference

Virginia FARM TO SCHOOL CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR august 4 in Franklin County

Virginia Cooperative Extension would like to invite interested individuals to a one-day conference, Cultivating Virginia’s Farm to School Program, exploring farm to school for Virginia's farmers, school systems, and youth. Farm to School brings healthy food from local farms to school children nationwide. This conference is scheduled for the Franklin Center in Rocky Mount, Virginia from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Franklin Center is located 50 Claiborne Avenue, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151.

Participants will gather information on the Farm to School program, food safety/GAPS Certification, liability issues for food producers, and how to connect with school food purchase programs.

Your conference registration investment is $20 which includes lunch and conference materials. Register by Friday, July 31, 2009, by contacting the Virginia Cooperative Extension Franklin County Office at (540) 483-5161 or Tim Johnson at tlj05@vt.edu. Checks should be made payable to "VCE- Franklin County" and sent to VCE, Franklin County, 90 East Court Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151.

Mid-Atlantic Grass-Fed Beef Conference

Deadline for registration is July 24!

August 11-12, 2009
Mid-Atlantic Grass-Fed Beef Conference
"Making Sense of Grass-Fed Beef"

Sheraton Imperial RTP
Durham, NC

The conference kicks off with a Pre-Conference Tour to Baldwin Beef, Rogers Cattle Company, and Triple B Farms. Conference sessions will address the economics of grass-fed beef, genetics, grazing management, processing, marketing, and the benefits of eating grass-fed beef.

For complete details, download the conference brochure and registration form on Cooperative Extension's Growing Small Farms website at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/calendar.html.

Contact Sandy Maddox at 919-658-7682 for more information.

Roanoke River Watershed -- Conference

The Upper Roanoke River Roundtable (www.upperroanokeriver.org) in partnership with Ferrum College is hosting a one-day conference on issues and trends in the Roanoke River Watershed on Friday, August 14 at Ferrum College’s new conference center.

The conference will include presentations on current activities, topics and trends related to:
· water quality
· water quantity improvements
· land management decisions
· state and local government decisions
· research and scientific discoveries
· volunteer and citizen initiatives
· Optional Bar-B-Q dinner in the evening, followed by music provided by a Crooked Music Trail band!

Please save the date and plan on attending! It will be a great opportunity to share ideas and concerns and to develop partnerships to help advance the environmental quality of life in the Roanoke River Watershed.

If you or your organization would like to make a presentation at the conference, or if you have questions, please contact Maureen Castern at mcastern@verizon.net.

Please forward this email to anyone who may be interested! Thanks!!

Maureen P Castern
1918 Cambridge Avenue SW
Roanoke, VA 24015
(540) 344-5286
mcastern@verizon.net

Starting a Food-Based Business

Virginia Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce an excellent opportunity for food-based business entrepreneurs . . .

Starting a Food-Based Business

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Spencer-Penn Centre, Alumni Hall

475 Spencer-Penn Road, Spencer, VA 24165


The conference is free, but registration is required.

To Register: Contact the Henry County Virginia Cooperative Extension office at 276-634-4650 or e-mail Donna Draper ddraper@vt.edu

The program (see below) will provide you with a list of topics and speakers. Please share this invitation with other entrepreneurs.

8:45 a.m. Welcome...................................... Mark Stroud, City Council, City of Martinsville

Debra Buchanan, Henry County Board of Supervisors

Mary Jordan, Spencer-Penn Centre



9:00 a.m. An Entrepreneur’s Perspective...................... Paul Hooper, Hooper Foods, LLC



9:15 a.m. VDACS: Helping Small Business.............................................. Bud Anderson

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services



10:00 a.m. Health Department Regulations Governing a Food Establishments

Sharon Ortiz-Garcia, MPH, West Piedmont Health Department



10:45 a.m. Break



11:00 a.m. Business Planning for a Small, Food-Based Venture

· Lisa Fultz, Martinsville-Henry County EDC FastTrac Entrepreneurship Program

· Tiffany Underwood, Executive Director, West Piedmont Business Development Center

· Ben Bowman, Director, Culinary Arts Program, Patrick Henry Community College

· Robert Donnan, Community Development Consultant, EDC



11:45 a.m. Taking a Product from Recipe to Retail: Resources for Small, Value-Added Food Product Development

Joell Eifert, Laboratory Specialist Senior Virginia Tech Food Science and Technology



12:30 p.m. Lunch sponsored by

Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation



1:15 p.m. Marketing Resources for Small & Micro Food Ventures

................................................................................................. Theresa Nartea

Marketing & Agribusiness Extension Specialist

Virginia Cooperative Extension

2:00 p.m. Panel of Success

Derrick Beverly and Darla Main Scheider



3:00 p.m. Tour of Spencer-Penn Community Kitchen

2009 Field Day

Shenandoah Valley

Agricultural Research & Extension Center

The Virginia Tech Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center will hold their bi-annual Field Day on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Field Day Program is listed below for your information.

During the Field Day, researchers will be on-hand to review and discuss on-going research projects being conducted at the Shenandoah Valley AREC. Of particular interest will be a review of the "Forage Systems" research project which is a cooperative effort between Virginia Tech, West Virginia University, Clemson University, and the USDA-ARS. Several components of this forage-based production system will be discussed including the cow-calf grazing system and calf creep grazing. We will be looking at several new forage species and participate in a hands-on forage evaluation exercise. There will also be several topics covering sheep production and forest management.

This is going to be an excellent educational program, especially for beef cattle, sheep, and forestry producers in the Shenandoah Valley interested in forage production, grazing, and forest management. We are asking persons interested in attending the Field Day to contact the Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center at (540) 377-2255 on or before Friday, July 31, 2009 to sign-up.

Field Day Program

Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

1:00 – 1:30 Registration

1:30 – 1:35 Welcome, David Fiske, Superintendent, Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center

1:35 – 1:45 Load wagons and travel to the east end of McCormick Farm Circle

1:45 – 2:00 Forage Species Demonstration Plot – Jon Repair, Virginia Cooperative Extension

2:00 – 2:30 Forage Research Plots - Dr. Ozzie Abaye, Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Virginia Tech, and Christina Newman, Graduate Student, Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Virginia Tech

Forage Chains for Year Around Grass Finishing Systems – Dr. Chris Teutsch, Extension Agronomist, Southern Piedmont AREC

2:30– 2:45 Load wagons and travel to Big Meadow

2:45 – 3:30 Overview of the Pasture-Based Beef Systems for Appalachia Project – Dr. William Clapham, USDA-ARS and Dr. Joe Fontenot, John W. Hancock Jr. Professor Emeritus, Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech

SVAREC Cow / Calf Forage Systems Project - Dr. Terry Swecker, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech and Dr. Ron Lewis, Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech

Overview of Calf Creep Grazing Systems - Dr. Ben Tracy, Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Virginia Tech and Dr. Terry Swecker, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech

Using Residual Feed Intake (RFI) to Predict Animal Performance – Dr. Gene Felton, Department of Animal Science, West Virginia University

3:30 – 4:00 Poisonous Plants – Dr. Ozzie Abaye, Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Virginia Tech

Botanical Composition of Pastures – Dr. Ozzie Abaye, Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Virginia Tech

4:00 – 4:10 Load wagons and travel to Forestry Demonstration area

4:10 – 4:40 Overview of Sustainable Forest Management Project at SVAREC – Matt Yancey, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Dr. John Munsell, Department of Forestry, College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech

4:40 – 4:55 Load wagons and travel to Ram Evaluation Center

4:55 – 5:30 Strategies to Improve Carcass Composition in Sheep – Dr. Scott Greiner, Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech

Visual Overview of SVAREC Cow / Calf Forage Systems Paddocks - Dr. Terry Swecker, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech and Dr. Ron Lewis, Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech

5:30 – 5:40 Load wagons and travel to the McCormick Memorial

5:40 – 6:00 Poster session and visit with sponsors – Memorial Grounds

6:00 – 6:15 Pasture-based Production Systems: Much More than Wholesome Beef - Dr. Floyd Horn, Former Administrator, USDA-ARS

6:15 – 6:45 Panel Discussion – Current Issues Impacting Agriculture and the Forage Livestock Industry – Moderated by Dr. David Gerrard, Department Head, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech

Jim Saunders, President, Virginia Agribusiness Council

Bill Tucker, Immediate Past President, American Forage & Grassland Council
Hank Maxey, Board Member, Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board

6:45 – 7:00 Introductions and Comments from Special Guests

7:00 Dinner

To help facilitate meal planning, please contact the Shenandoah Valley AREC at (540) 377-2255 by Friday, July 31st to register for this meeting.

2009 Women in Agriculture Conference

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Plecker Workforce Center
Blue Ridge Community College
Weyers Cave, Virginia

Keynote Speaker: Diana Endicott
Owner of Rainbow Farms,
Coordinator of Good Natured Family Farms, and
a recent nominee for White House Farmer

Sponsored by Virginia Tech and the Virginia Cooperative Extension

VA Berry Conference

Second Annual Virginia Berry Production and Marketing Conference
will take place on March 26, 2009 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., VA State University, Petersburg, Virginia.

This Conference is designed to assist experienced and new growers in learning about production and marketing of berry crops.

The cost of registration is $10.00 per person and it includes lunch and Conference materials. The registration form and payment should be mailed by March 20.

For more information about the conference, contact Dr. Rafie, 804-524-5960

Vegetable Production and Marketing:

What Crops Have Potential?

This online workshop is designed to help growers learn about vegetables with market potential, principles of produce marketing, principles of organic production, and the importance of food safety

Thursday, February 26, 2009
1:00 p.m. - 4:0 p.m. EST

Via Adobe Connect and the following viewing locations:

Richmond County Extension Office
6128 Richmond Rd.
Warsaw, VA 22572

and

Albemarle County Extension Office
460 Statecoach Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902

The event will be delivered on the Internet via Adobe Connect at:
http://connect.ag.vt.edu/workshop/

Program Agenda

1:00 - 1:05 Welcome and Introductions, Dr. Reza Rafie, Virginia State University

1:05 - 1:40 Basics of Produce Marketing, Ms. Heidi McIntyre, McIntyre Marketing Group

1:40 - 2:10 Specialty Vegetables with Market Potential, Ms. Debra Deis, SeedWay

2:10 - 2:20 Questions

2:20 - 2:50 Principles of Food Safety in Vegetable Production and Marketing, Dr. Wesley Kline, Rutgers University

2:50 - 3:05 High Tunnel Production of Fresh Ginger Roots, Dr. Reza Rafie and Mr. Chris Mullins, Virginia State University

3:05 - 3:50 Basics of Organic Production and Marketing, Ms. Amy Hicks, Amy's Garden

3:50 - 4:00 Questions

4:00 Adjourn

Woodland Answers Conference

Get the new year off to a good start with this local workshop provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension/Virginia Tech/Virginia Department of Forestry and co-sponsored by Valley Conservation Council.

Jan. 30 - Woodland Answers conference

Greenfield Education Center, Daleville, VA.

Contact Matt Yancey at 540/564-3080

Workshop Announcements

Sustainable Farms to Share Insights into Innovative Food-Growing Systems at Local Food Project at Airlie Annual Conference

"Half Pint and Essex: A Tale of Two Farms", Jan. 9, 2009

The Local Food Project at Airlie will hold its third annual conference—"Half Pint and Essex: A Tale of Two Farms"—on January 9, 2009 at the Airlie Center in Warrenton, Va. The full day "Winter Forum" will provide an up-close look at whole farm systems design by featuring in-depth discussions of the innovative systems that have brought success to two sustainable agriculture operations—Half Pint Farm (Burlington, VT) and Essex Farm (Essex, NY).

Presenting for the first time in Virginia, Half Pint and Essex will share a complete picture of how their farms operate—from creating a plan and producing quality products, to building and expanding a customer base. In addition to providing a detailed look at two thriving farm systems, "A Tale of Two Farms" will offer the opportunity to network with speakers and other participants.

Mara and Spencer Welton, of Half Pint Farm, grow baby greens and gourmet specialty crops for direct sale to farmer’s markets and restaurants, and wholesale to local grocery stores. Located at Burlington’s Intervale (a reclaimed urban waste site), Half Pint operates on one and a third acres, and has found its niche by selling high-quality vegetables and establishing lasting relationships with customers.

Kristin and Mark Kimball, of Essex Farm, run a unique CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) enterprise that provides community members with a full grocery bag of food each week—vegetables, orchard fruits, grains, baked goods, dairy, and grass-fed meats. Powered by a team of Belgian draft horses, Essex Farm feeds 75 families year-round.

"We are excited to offer Virginia food growers and policy experts the chance to hear from Half Pint and Essex," said Pablo Elliott, director of the Local Food Project at Airlie. "Many of our programs feature innovative projects from our own region. By bringing in farmers from another area, we hope to inspire fresh ideas in our community as we work to meet the increasing demand for locally grown food."

Backyard gardeners, small farmers, food policy experts, and other fans of local food will be interested in attending "A Tale of Two Farms" to learn about the key factors that make these two unique farms so successful. To register, send an email to localfoodproject@airlie.org. A special "Early Bird" rate is available to participants who sign up before December 31. For more information, visit www.airlie.org and click on "Local Food Project" or visit our blog at http://sixteenfootladder.blogspot.com/.

About the Local Food Project at Airlie

Established in 1998, the Local Food Project at Airlie operates an organic garden and hoophouse which supply fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers to the Airlie Center, an environmentally certified conference center located an hour outside Washington, DC in Warrenton, Va. The Local Food Project at Airlie hosts seminars and conferences to promote sustainable food production and offers tours and educational materials to the Center’s guests to promote the advantages of local food systems for the well-being of communities. Learn more at www.airlie.org.
—Local Food Project at Airlie—
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February 9th and 10th: VA Agriculture Summit. Energy: Impact and Opportunities, Omni Richmond Hotel. www.agsummit.com

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Through funds from the DCR Water Quality Improvement Act, DOF has developed a Regional Grant program which is designed to restore and/or improve riparian health through the use of tree plantings or other vegetative techniques and may include non - CREP riparian buffer tree planting, stream restoration and stabilization, rain gardens and bio swales. The grants should be written by the person or organization that will receive the funds, with technical assistance and support from the local DOF. Grant applications should come from the organization to the VDOF Area Forester or Water Quality Engineer and after review be forwarded to HQ for funding allocation and final approval. The Virginia Department of Forestry will accept project proposals from private citizens, local units of government, approved non-profit organizations, civic groups, educational institutions, or community volunteer groups which meet the specific program objectives. Eligible project categories are described in detail in the attached flyer along with the proposal format. For spring 2008 projects applications should be received no later than February 22, 2008, sooner is better.Grants will be awarded as they are received, evaluated for compliance with the program and approved. Funds will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. If you have any questions about the grant contact Barbara White at 434.220. or E-mail Barbara.white@dof.virginia.gov These funds are provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and are administered by the Virginia Department of Forestry.

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Tom Peterson will be giving a workshop for the Virginia Association of Biological Farmers (VABF) conference on February 27 - 28 in Richmond, VA. This is always a great conference with a strong emphasis on sustainable agriculture. His workshop will focus specifically on growing and selling fresh produce at farmers markets (inc. farm planning, succession planting, pricing, display and post-harvest handling, among other topics) -- feel free to advertise this conference through your vendor lists. You can find more information at http://www.vabf.org/.

Pasture-Finished Beef Field Day

Pasture-Finished Beef Field Day

Willow Bend Demonstration Farm

Union, WV

August 21, 2008

2:00 - 2:30 Registration

2:30 Welcome and Purpose of the Field Day

The Overall Research Effort - Economic Pasture-Based Beef Systems for Appalachia - Dr. Bill Clapham, USDA ARS

What We Learned in the First Phase

2:40 Highlights from the Cow Work at Steeles Tavern (weaning methods, warm season perennials, stocking rate vs hay needs) - David Fiske, Shenandoah Valley AREC and Holly Boland, PhD Candidate, Virginia Tech

3:00 Winter Stocker Results from Morgantown (forage types and quality, response to supplements, Residual Feed Intake) Dr. Gene Felton, Dept of Animal & Veterinary Science, West Virginia University

3:30 Finishing Cattle Performance and Carcass Quality (Forage Type, ADG, Forage Available to Cattle, Etc) Dr. Jim Neel, Research Animal Scientist, USDA ARS
3:50 Meat Quality - Dr. Jim Neel

4:10 Fatty Acid Composition of the Product - Dr. Joe Fontenot, John W. Hancock Jr. Professor Emeritus of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech

4:30 Load up to Tour the Pastures and Cattle

4:40 Pasture Finishing at Willow Bend - Cattle and Pasture Management - Dr. Jim Neel

5:00 The Current Phase of Pasture-Based Research

Expanding the Harvest Window - Grazing Days and Cattle Age - Dr. Jim Neel

Frame Size of the Cattle - Dr. Gene Felton and Dr. Jim Neel

Teff and Triticale as Forage Crops - Dr. Ozzie Abaye, Dept. of Crop and Soil Environmental
Sciences, Virginia Tech, and Dr. Bill Clapham

5:45 How to Manage Rotationally-Grazed Pastures

Rest Period, Grazing Duration, Stocking Density, Residual Forage Height, Etc - Dr. Ed Rayburn, Extension Forage Agronomist, West Virginia University
Ideas for Fencing and Water

6:30 pm Back to the Headquarters for Dinner

A Message from our Sponsors

Local Producers of Pasture-Finished Livestock, Opportunities

We Look Forward to Having You Come to the 2009 Field Day at Steeles Tavern!

Directions to the Field Day

The Willow Bend Demonstration Farm is located 4.5 miles south of Union, West Virginia. Route 219 is the main road through Union.
Take the US 219 South exit at Lewisburg, West Virginia.
Travel south on US 219 approximately 25 miles to Union, West Virginia.
At the south end of Union there is a 4-way stop.
Continue straight thru the 4-way stop on the Willow Bend Road.
Willow Bend Farm is approximately 4.5 miles on the left.

From Southwest Virginia take Route 460 to Rich Creek. Take Route 219 north into West Virginia. Stay on Route 219 for approximately 27 miles to Union, WV. At the 4-way stop as you come into Union, turn right on to the Willow Bend Road. Willow Bend Farm is approximately 4.5 miles on the left.

Preregistration is required for the complimentary dinner. To preregister for the dinner call the Monroe Co. WVU-Extension Office at 304-772-3003.

The Pasture-Finished Beef Field Day is sponsored by USDA-ARS, the West Virginia University Extension Service, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, and Virginia Cooperative Extension along with a number of cooperating agencies and organizations.

Agritourism: It’s More than a Farm Tour . . . Act II

Blue Ridge Vineyard

1027 Shiloh Drive, Eagle Rock, Virginia 24085

540-798-7642

Botetourt, Virginia

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

11:00 a.m.
Tour of the Vineyard with Barbara Kolb, Owner

12 noon
Welcome & Lunch

12:30 p.m.
Managing Agritourism Liability

John Alderson & John Mark Alderson
John Alderson Agency in Botetourt

1:15 p.m.
Food Service on the Farm

Terry Edwards, Bedford Health Department representing
Amherst County Health Department
Paul Chapman

Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Invited 5-2-08 Rod Garnett, Botetourt Health Department

2:15 p.m.
Brags & Blunders

·1 Barbara Kolb, Blue Ridge Vineyard
·2 Gwen Ikenberry, Ikenberry Orchards
·3 Robecca Denhoff, Solitude Farm Retreat

3:00 p.m.
Botetourt Tourism in Review

Kevin M. Costello, Tourism Coordinator

3:30 p.m.
Generating New Agritourism Ideas

Martha A. Walker, Virginia Cooperative Extension

Cathy Belcher, Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Sandra Tanner, Virginia Tourism Corporation

4:00 p.m.
Networking & Shopping Local