Events

Get ready for the hunting season with our Venison Preservation Class.  In this hands-on class, you will learn how to safely pressure can venison and make venison jerky.  All participants will get to take home a pint jar of venison and some jerky.  This class will be taught by Eric Bowen, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent with 10 years experience teaching about safe wild game preservation.

*Note that offering this course early in the hunting season presents us with some challenges in securing a safe source of venison.  Note that beef could be used in lieu of venison for the hands-on portion of the course.  

This class is open to anyone age 16 and up. The cost is $50.00 per person.

Garlic is a wonderful crop. It’s easy to grow with almost no pest problems. It can be grown either in the ground or in a raised bed. October is the most popular month to plant garlic, but depending on where you live, you could plant sooner or later. Late September and October are the best times to plant garlic in the northern Piedmont. It should be done at least two weeks before the first frost, and must be done before the ground freezes. This workshop will teach you the proper way to plant garlic, how to prepare the ground, and properly care for it during the growing season.

Point Pleasant Farm is a new/old farm located in the Coastal Plain of Virginia. The land has been cleared and farmed for over 100 years. It was mostly crop-farmed until 2020 when Nan Harvey purchased several small adjoining parcels, added fencing and changed the land use to livestock farming. Nan will share the good, bad and ugly she had to face along the way. Raising sheep changed the crop from a bean/wheat/corn rotation cycle to a permanent grassland constrained by proximity to the Chesapeake Bay. With invaluable technical support from the Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program, VT Small Farms Nutrient Management Program and extensive research, the livestock operation is working towards sustainability. Elaine Shirley, President of the Leicester Longwool Sheep Breeders Association, will also join us to address the special challenges and rewards of raising heritage breed sheep.

Join us for a mouth-watering journey into the world of herbs. The aromas and taste of herbs will transport your taste buds to faraway places without leaving the comfort of your home. Learn how to grow, buy, store, cook and preserve a variety of herbs to maintain their freshness. Experience sweet and savory dishes that will be created just for you. Hope to see you there!

Keith Tignor, our State Apiarist, will cover the steps needed to winterize your beehives. Keith will begin the workshop with a PowerPoint presentation in the large classroom at the Randolph Farm Pavilion. Then we will go to the hives at the bee yard on Randolph Farm. Topics will include opening a hive for inspection; pest identification and management; techniques to feed bees over the winter; cover crops and tree species that produce the most nectar and pollen; and when and how to order honeybee nucs in preparation for the spring. Information from this program will help attendees mitigate hive loss over the winter. All participants must bring a bee suit to wear during the hive inspection part of this workshop. Wear light clothes and avoid open-toe shoes, perfume or cologne. 

Join us for a fun-filled time at VSU Randolph Farm, where we're honoring the spirit of Virginia Agritourism.

Event Highlights:

Community Engagement: Connect, collaborate, and converse with fellow members of the community.

Festival Vibes: Dive into a spirited atmosphere, where festivities and fun activities promise a delightful day for attendees of all ages.

Sorghum Maze Adventure: Take a twisty turn through our sorghum maze and challenge yourself to find the way out.

Pumpkin Artistry: Get hands-on with creative pumpkin-themed art activities designed for all age groups.

Live Cooking Demonstration: Elevate your culinary skills. Witness the magic of Chef Rose from the VSU Hospitality Management Department as she whips up something delectable.

Photo Booth Fun: Smile, pose, and capture memories! Get a snapshot with your favorite pumpkin.

and much more!

Mr. Jim Stewart, a producer with years of experience, will lead this workshop on small fruit production and maintenance. Attendees will learn methods of producing small fruit crops such as blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. There will be a discussion of planting methods and cultivation practices. We will also discuss soil fertility requirements and the best soils for different berry types.