Events

Wednesday, February 5, 2025
8:00 AM 12:00 PM
VSU Randolph Farm Pavilion
4415 River Rd Petersburg, VA
This workshop will teach New and Beginning Farmers about how we manage nutrients differently. We will learn about the proper rates, timing and placement of Nitrogen and Phosphorus, soil testing the addition of lime and how they effect the water quality of our groundwater and surface waters. We will also learn why there are different soils with variable capability to grow a particular crop. Space is limited to 30 participants. For more information, contact Tim Sexton at 804-524-1028, or tsexton@vsu.edu.

Small Farm Orientation
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
1:00 PM 3:00 PM
15850 Sunshine Ridge Lane, Gainesville, VA -OR - Virtual Zoom Workshop
This two-hour Zoom course is for new farmers with zero to five years of experience operating a farm. Ben Dukes and Derrick Gooden, regional program assistants for the VSU Small Farm Outreach Program, and Dr. Nartea, extension specialist for VSU Integrated Marketing Program, will walk attendees through the process of how to develop a productive and profitable farm. Participants will receive a Small Farm Orientation manual.
For more information, contact Ben Dukes at 804-731-7916 or bdukes@vsu.edu, or Derrick Gooden at 804-586-5352 or dgooden@vsu.edu.

Tax Preparation for Farmers
Thursday, February 6, 2025
9:00 AM 12:30 PM
118 East Danville Street
South Hill, VA, 23970
Even if you hire an accountant to assist with filing your farm taxes, there is important information that you need to know as a farmer.
This workshop will cover the following topics:
• New tax laws and changes.
• Completing Schedule F.
• Recordkeeping.
• Reporting business expenses & deductions.
• Managing enterprise sales.
• Social security management.
• Managing wages.
• Working with nonprofits.
For more information, contact Marilyn Estes at 804-481-0485 or mestes@vsu.edu.

Urban Forestry
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
1:00 PM 3:00 PM
VSU Randolph Farm
4415 River Rd Petersburg, VA 23803
Good pruning technique can increase the potential for quality fruit. Pruning is often neglected either due to a lack of skill or fear that improper pruning could lead to the injury or death of a tree. Pruning reduces overall tree size, improves structural strength, increases fruit production and improves the quality of fruit. Come and join us for this hands-on demonstration on pruning fruit trees for the beginner. Please feel free to bring any pruning tools that you may have for this workshop.
Space is limited to 20 participants
For more information, contact Michael Carter Sr. at (804) 481-1163, or mcarter@vsu.edu.

Grant Writing for Farmers
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
6:00 PM 8:00 PM
Virtual Zoom Event
Build confidence in applying for grants by joining farmer Anita Roberson of Botanical Bites & Provisional, LLC, as she shares basic grant writing information. Anita will speak about what is needed to assist farmers in receiving multiple grant awards. She will share information on planning, developing budgets and understanding grant scoring criteria. She will also share some unique tips and talk about her experience as a grant reviewer.
Space is limited to 30 participants.
For more information, contact Michael Carter Sr at 804-481-1163 or mcarter@vsu.edu.

Farm and Homestead Financing
Thursday, February 27, 2025
3:00 PM 5:00 PM
VSU Randolph Farm
4415 River Rd Petersburg, VA 23803
Perdue Agribusiness purchases grain from more than 700 farmers in Virginia, giving them a strong local market for their crops. They deliver products to every continent (except Antarctica), providing the global market with soybean products like meal, hull pellets, oil, as well as wheat and corn. Ranked among the largest grain companies in the U.S., Perdue Agribusiness is a leading merchandiser, processor, and exporter of agricultural products.
This tour will give participants a perspective on the major contributions this facility provides to Virginia farmers livelihoods.
For more information, contact Ben Dukes at 804-731-7916 or bdukes@vsu.edu.