Events

This workshop on Basic Soil Science will provide New and Beginning Farmers and growers with a good base of knowledge of how soils form, how they hold moisture, nutrients, organic matter, and the complex nature of soils work for us to provide healthy crops and products for us and animals.

Space is limited to 30 participants.

For more information, contact Tim Sexton at 804-524-1028, or tsexton@vsu.edu.

This workshop for New and Beginning Farmers and gardeners to obtain a basic knowledge of all of the elements necessary for plant growth, the form the nutrients are plant available, how they move in the soil and in the plant, and how to begin to troubleshoot deficiencies. All who have hopes of having a healthy plant and healthy soil may attend. Space is limited to 30 participants.

For more information, contact Tim Sexton at 804-524-1028, or tsexton@vsu.edu.

Vegetable farming in Central Virginia has its challenges with issues in planning, production, processing, and marketing.  The latest scientific production information will help address the needs of the area produce auctions, local farmers markets, and the new Amish communities of the area.  Specialists from VCE and the Central Virginia Produce Auction will be the focus of the program.

For more information, contact Forrest Hobbs at 804-892-5910 or fhobbs@vsu.edu.

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.

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.

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.