“More Than Ever Agriculture Matters”
August 6, 2009
7:30 AM to 3:00 PM
The Virginia Ag Expo is the largest field day event held annually in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is an educational, marketing and social event that farmers look forward to every year. This year the AG EXPO will be held in Hanover and King William Counties. The location is John N. Mills & Sons Farm owned and operated by our host, the Mills Family. John N. Mills & Sons Farm is a large diversified farming operation consisting of corn, soybeans, wheat, and a beef cattle herd.
Growers will have an opportunity to view the 2009 Virginia On-Farm Corn and Soybean Test Plots. There will be corn and soybean seeding rate, weed control, seed treatments and fungicide plots. Soybean planting dates will be demonstrated with early, mid and late season plantings, along with barley versus wheat beans. In keeping with the diversity of the Mills operation attendees will see pasture management, a unique silage storage system and wetlands and stream side mitigations. Participants will be able to go from exhibit to exhibit and visit with the various exhibitors at their own pace.
Companies will display their products and services under a large exhibit tent. The latest in farm equipment and related products will be on display in a large outdoor area.
There is a $10.00 registration fee for a traditional a Bar-B-Q lunch served with all the trimmings and beverages. There will be a limited number of lunch tickets (100) available on the day of the Ag Expo for $13.00. Fill out the attached form and mail it to the address on the form along with payment for the number of tickets you are requesting. Your lunch tickets may be picked up at the registration tent on the day of the Ag Expo.
We look forward to seeing you this year at the Virginia Ag Expo.
The 2009 Virginia Ag Expo is a joint project of the Virginia Grain Producers Association, the Virginia Soybean Association and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Outreach Program
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), with leadership provided by Linda Knapp, and the Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials (MACREDO) are conducting outreach programs with US EPA Region III funding to farmers in each of the Mid-Atlantic states to promote the recovery of food residuals from the waste stream. The outreach program includes educational sessions and a limited number of site visits to farms that are seriously interested in composting food scraps from local supermarkets, restaurants, and other businesses. Ned Foley, one of the program's technical consultants, gave farm composting presentations at events in our region and identified farmers who are now participating in the program.
The events included:•
Delaware Organic Food and Farming Association (DOFFA) Annual Meeting (January 10, 2009)•
West Virginia Small Farms Conference (February 25, 2009)•
Keep Farming in Montgomery County, PA (February 27, 2009)
Ned has effectively implemented composting systems on Two Particular Acres, his small family farm located in western Montgomery County, PA ( http://www.twoparticularacres.com/) .
He accepts pre-consumer food waste from nearby businesses. Linda Knapp is seeking Virginia farmers who are interested food composting opportunities that can be revenue generators for local farms. If you know of farmers who may have interest in such a program please provide their contact information to Linda (lknapp@netreach.net) and copy me, or forward this email directly to the farmers so that they may contact us directly. MACREDO (Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials) is a non-profit organization that promotes recycling economic development projects and programs on a regional basis in the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. More information is available at http://www.macredo.org/.
Thank you,
Greg
Greg Evanylo
Professor and Extension SpecialistCrop and Soil Environmental Sciences (0403)
426 Smyth Hall,
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Ph: 540-231-9739
Fax: 540-231-3075
gevanylo@vt.eduhttp://www.cses.vt.edu/people/profiles/evanylo_profile.html
The events included:•
Delaware Organic Food and Farming Association (DOFFA) Annual Meeting (January 10, 2009)•
West Virginia Small Farms Conference (February 25, 2009)•
Keep Farming in Montgomery County, PA (February 27, 2009)
Ned has effectively implemented composting systems on Two Particular Acres, his small family farm located in western Montgomery County, PA ( http://www.twoparticularacres.com/) .
He accepts pre-consumer food waste from nearby businesses. Linda Knapp is seeking Virginia farmers who are interested food composting opportunities that can be revenue generators for local farms. If you know of farmers who may have interest in such a program please provide their contact information to Linda (lknapp@netreach.net) and copy me, or forward this email directly to the farmers so that they may contact us directly. MACREDO (Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials) is a non-profit organization that promotes recycling economic development projects and programs on a regional basis in the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. More information is available at http://www.macredo.org/.
Thank you,
Greg
Greg Evanylo
Professor and Extension SpecialistCrop and Soil Environmental Sciences (0403)
426 Smyth Hall,
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Ph: 540-231-9739
Fax: 540-231-3075
gevanylo@vt.eduhttp://www.cses.vt.edu/people/profiles/evanylo_profile.html
Saturday, May 30, 2009
May 30, 2009 Market Offerings
Mini Blessings Farm: Howdy! Earl and I will have radishes, lettuce, perhaps a few turnips, and wonderful fresh broccoli (come early before its gone.) We will have an assortment of canned goods and freshly milled breads. Bless ya all, see ya tomorrow.
Full Circle Farm will have freshly milled whole wheat, spelt and ryebreads, pizza crusts and mixes. See you there!
Brambleberry Farm will bring eggs, asparagus, lettuce, pound cakes.
Peaceful Haven Farm will have 2 types of spinach, romaine lettuce, swiss chard and some freshly cut catnip.
Hello there, Berry Ridge Farms will be there Saturday with fresh eggs, homemade gluten free bread, gluten free mini pound cakes yellow and chocolate !, gluten free brownies , and freshly made heirloom strawberry preserves. see ya then!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Saturday, March 23rd Farmers' Market Offerings
Oddly - Phil is not scheduled to work this Saturday so he will be able to set up a plant sale at Ikenberry"s this Saturday, May 23. All plants have been priced low for this close-out sale. However, the Botetourt Farmers may take an additional 20% off the prices on the plants.
There are a few Strawberries, and plenty of various sizes of thornless blackberries and red raspberries.
See you at Ikenberry's.
Phil & Christy Stoker
Brambleberry Farm will be bringing asparagus, eggs, peach pound cakes, peanut butter cookies, fresh rosemary, thyme, and curry; lettuces and chard.
Earl and I from Mini Blessings, will be bringing radishes, lettuce, onions, and fresh herbs. I will be baking freshly milled whole grain breads and a couple of sweet treats. We have some wonderful honey in quarts and pints. We will also have some jams and jelly's and a few canned vegetables. Bless ya'all, see ya tomorrow!
Full Circle Farm will have freshly milled whole wheat and spelt products and a little bit of our grass-fed lamb. Seeyou there!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Butchers Beef Workshop for Consumers and Producers
Confused? Grass or Grain? Ribeye or T-Bone?
Come to Blue Ridge Meats on Sat. June 6th at 1:00pm for a free and informative Butchers Beef Workshop for Consumers and Producers~~BEEF BREAKING 101 (Actual Beef Breaking)
How can I market my beef? (Added Value Cuts)
How we can maximize your yield?
Dry or Wet Aged? What is the difference?
Should I do it? How much will a half of a beef cost and what will I get?
Who Should I buy from & Why?
What is Certified Humane?
Label Discussion/Factory Farming Master Butchers (old world style) & Farmers Q&A Session Meet the Staff and Sample local beef and sides from Locke Store
Meet Dr. Joyce Harman, DVM, Certified Acupuncturist and a successful Grass fed beef Producer of Highland Cattle in Flint Hill.
Meet Mr. Bill Martin, Grain fed Angus Producer and an industry leader regarding beef production; local and nationwide. Small packers to large packers.
FREE GIFTS, FOOD, AND HOURLY DRAWINGS
Reservations Required~Limited Space~540-636-6050
http://www.blueridgemeats.com/
Blue Ridge Meats is a USDA federally Inspected Plant2391 Guard Hill Road Middletown, Virginia
The Local Choice for Fine Butchery
Come to Blue Ridge Meats on Sat. June 6th at 1:00pm for a free and informative Butchers Beef Workshop for Consumers and Producers~~BEEF BREAKING 101 (Actual Beef Breaking)
How can I market my beef? (Added Value Cuts)
How we can maximize your yield?
Dry or Wet Aged? What is the difference?
Should I do it? How much will a half of a beef cost and what will I get?
Who Should I buy from & Why?
What is Certified Humane?
Label Discussion/Factory Farming Master Butchers (old world style) & Farmers Q&A Session Meet the Staff and Sample local beef and sides from Locke Store
Meet Dr. Joyce Harman, DVM, Certified Acupuncturist and a successful Grass fed beef Producer of Highland Cattle in Flint Hill.
Meet Mr. Bill Martin, Grain fed Angus Producer and an industry leader regarding beef production; local and nationwide. Small packers to large packers.
FREE GIFTS, FOOD, AND HOURLY DRAWINGS
Reservations Required~Limited Space~540-636-6050
http://www.blueridgemeats.com/
Blue Ridge Meats is a USDA federally Inspected Plant2391 Guard Hill Road Middletown, Virginia
The Local Choice for Fine Butchery
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