Events

September 30 - October 3, 2022  

2:00 PM - 10:00 PM

13191 Dawn Blvd 

Doswell, VA

The State Fair of Virginia is a ten-day event, with rides, games, shows, concerts, and other family fun. The fair features dozens of events every day: magic tricks, log rolling, snake handling, chain sawing, and stilt-walking. Educational activities include agricultural, technological and historical exhibitions, livestock displays and competitions such as pig races, a multi-purpose pavilion, a large horse-stall for over 140 horses, and four show rings.

The Virginia State Fair features dozens of food vendors serving funnel cakes, cotton candy, and barbecue chicken. Vendors offer souvenirs, clothing, belt buckles, and various unusual designs.

View State-wide Youth

Events from 4-H

4-H is the youth development education program of Virginia Cooperative Extension that is in partnership between Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. 4-H is rich with learning experiences where young people ages 5-18 can partner with caring adults and volunteers in a fellowship unlike any other program available to youth today.

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Warfield, Virginia

Tens of thousands of agricultural workers become disabled in off-the-farm accidents or through illnesses or health conditions. More than 13 million individuals in rural America are affected by disabilities. Paul Wilson is raising rabbits, chickens, quail and a vegetable garden with a disability sustained as a child. He has no  limit to what he can and will do to be successful in his projects. Come and visit with Paul and learn about overcoming obstacles with determination. Garland Mason, AgrAbility Virginia Program Coordinator, will also be there to answer questions about the program. Everyone is invited—especially those with disabilities.

Space is limited to 20 participants.

Monday, October 10, 2022

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

VCE Mecklenburg Office
311 Washington Street

Boydton, VA 23917

Drones designed for agricultural applications can help small-scale farmers improve yields  and lower operational costs. To ensure you understand the benefits and usage of drones for precision agriculture, VSU SFOP is offering a basic introduction. Stacy Somers-Taylor, UAS-FAA Drone Pilot, will explain how drone applications such as map interpretation and utilization can detect soil conditions and plant health. You will learn how drones can collect and process data to create an accurate map. By using the mapping software you can process the captured images into a high-resolution 3D map. The software can determine boundaries, elevation,  and crop counting. Drone mapping allows farmers to get a high-resolution view of their property, identify problem areas, and better understand how their fields are performing. 

Space is limited to 12 participants 

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 

Virtual Events

• Baby Step 1—Building to Last

• Baby Step 2—Counting the Cost

• Baby Step 3—Choosing Carefully 

VSU Small Farm Outreach Program’s Dr. Theresa Nartea and Program Assistant Roland Terrell will tell you how to build a risk-ready market in three important baby steps. The class is targeted to new and beginning farmers and includes activities to help you better understand what you need to do to create a successful farm business. If you are getting started in farming, this class is for you! Registered Participants: To receive your FREE class materials, please send an email request to tnartea@vsu.edu with the subject line: Send me the October 5, 2022 marketing class materials. 

Space is limited to 25 participants.

Thursday, October 13, 2022
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Zoom Event

This two-hour Zoom course is geared to new farmers with zero to five years of experience operating a farm. Herbert Brown, Assistant Director of the VSU Small Farm Outreach Program, will teach the course. He will walk attendees through the process of how to develop a productive and profitable farm. Participants will receive a Small Farm Orientation manual.

Space is limited to 30 participants. Registration closes at 1 pm on September 29.