Events

Learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct or guaranteed loans as well as programs, service and cost share opportunities from other USDA agencies. Beginning, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers can get help to prepare applications for farm ownership and operating loans and learn about the requirements for borrowing. Find out about the resources and current grants that are available from USDA, including the Rural Development Renewable Energy for America (REAP) grant and loan guarantee program, Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program, and Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs are also available. These programs can help you implement conservation practices to reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters.

Come to this workshop and learn how to save time and money with best practices to maintain small engine farm equipment and keep it running year after year. The workshop will help you understand how a four-cycle small engine works, as well as common problems that occur and how to fix them. There will be some hands-on demonstrations, and we will also share some safety tips. 

Space is limited to 20 participants.

Come and join other farmers for an educational workshop designed to  help both beginning and experienced farmers learn to manage accounting and recordkeeping for their businesses. This workshop is presented by a local tax preparer and accountant, who has years of experience helping others while running her own successful small business. The topics to be covered include setting up financial records; preparing a chart of accounts; entering payments, deposits and invoices; tracking customers; creating estimates; reconciling bank statements; analyzing financial data and printing reports. 

Space is limited to 20 participants.

The Ivy Creek Foundation, the non-profit which cares for Ivy Creek Natural Area and historic River View Farm is hosting its March Ivy Talk which will focus on the Minority and Veteran Farmers of the Piedmont.

Every month The Ivy Creek Foundation hosts Ivy Talks related to history, conservation, preservation, and natural history. This month, the Minority and Veteran Farmers of the Piedmont will be discussing their work, issues local farmers are facing, and connecting with the local community. We hope you will join us for this important talk and meet some of your local farmers.

The Ivy Talk will take place on March 22, 2023 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. To register for this event please visit, https://ivycreekfoundation.org/ivy-talks or for questions
email Susie Farmer at susie@ivycreekfoundation.org.

Executive Director, Sue Erhardt says, “We are excited to host this group of local farmers and learn more about their work and issues that farmers are facing.” The Ivy Creek Foundation mission is to inspire and engage our community in the stewardship of our natural resources and our rich African American cultural history by connecting people to the past and present by honoring the land, history, and community.

Join us at 9 a.m. on March 10, 2023, at the Madison County Fire Hall, as the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District present a workshop on ground landowner conservation programs in the Culpeper District. MVFP board member Pastor Eugene Triplett will speak during this event.
This workshop will feature a federal programs overview by NRCs, a networking session, a presentation by VSU's Small Farm Outreach Program, a presentation by the Piedmont Environmental Council and much more. This program is targeted to owners and operators of agricultural and forested land in Culpeper, Madison, Greene, Orange and Rappahannock wishing to understand what the programs have to offer!
Registration is required. Lunch will be provided $15 per person. Limited to 70 attendees. Please RSVP (540)825-8591 or e-mail StevieR@culpeperswcd.org

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.