Events

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

VSU Randolph Farm Pavilion
4415 River Road, Petersburg, VA 23803

This workshop is an on-the-farm event for military veteran farmers,
ranchers, and landowners, especially for those new and beginning
veteran farmers who want to learn more about what it takes to
farm profitably and sustainably. We will tour the Randolph Farm and
learn about various enterprises such as urban farming, aquaculture,
small ruminants, vegetable production, berry production, high
tunnel production, and more. We will also learn about the USDA
and other agencies that partner with us to support farmers.

Saturday, June 4, 2022  

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Salem, Virginia

United States

Bee ownership is more than just the sweet taste of honey! Join us for the opportunity to see the inner workings of a beehive. This workshop will give you a basic understand- ing of what it takes to start your own hive, from site location to queen management, including an overview of what kinds of tools and equipment you will need, and the knowledge to treat pests and diseases.

This workshop will be held in close proximity to several working hives. In order to maintain a calm and docile environment for the bees, the use of perfume, cologne, or scented body lotion is strongly discouraged. Please wear light-colored clothing and closed-toe shoes.

Saturday, May 28, 2022

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

South Hill Farmer’s Market

105 West Danville Street

South Hill, VA, 23970

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Pedro Lopez, Hispanic Mentor Farmer, will host participants on a tour of his market activities at the South Hill and Bracey Farmer’s Markets. Of interest will be the ethnic Hispanic produce, local vegetables, and an assortment of hot peppers. In addition to this, he will share his marketing strategies and networking, including how he copes with market demand by supplying from other sources or redirecting volume to another market.

Saturday, June 7, 2022

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Burkeville, Virginia

United States

This in-person farm workshop will show how a silvopasture can provide higher-quality forage and increase short- and long-term income, through managed trees, weeds and livestock. The demonstration will show cattle producers how a silvopasture can improve pasture performance and add value to a farmer’s land management. It will also show how a silvopasture can reduce erosion and improve pasture forage.

Saturday, June 4,  2022

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Heaven’s Hollow Farm
311 Locust Grove Church
Orange, VA 22960 

Poultry processing is the term used by the poultry industry to describe the conversion of live poultry into raw poultry products that are fit for human consumption. Attendees of this workshop will learn about the equipment necessary for poultry processing and about ATF's low-cost, portable processing equipment program. During this hands on workshop, attendees will learn to safely slaughter, scald, cut, and package poultry.

Monday, June 13, 2022  

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

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The two-hour Zoom course is geared to new farmers with zero to five years of experience operating a farm. Vernon Heath, a VSU Small Farm Outreach Program Assistant with over 40 years of experience in the Virginia Agricultural industry, 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.