Events for Farmers in Virginia

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Upcoming Events in Virginia – With October come the changing leaves, cooler weather, and exciting events for farmers!

October us upon us and we are excited to announce the events that are happening across Virginia this month. More details on each event are available on the Events Page of the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program website, and links to flyers and specific event pages are given below. Please note that not all of the events announced in this email are hosted by the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program. We hope to see you at some of these great events!

October 6: Webinar: Climate Change and Organic Agriculture: Participate in this webinar to learn about farming practices that can sequester carbon. The speaker in this webinar is Dr. Kris Nichols, who will discuss the positive impacts of organically managed soils on climate change.

October 7: Twin Oaks Farm Tour:  If you missed the Old Crowe Farm Homestead Tour with guinea hogs, rare and beautiful kaying hens and buckwheat, there is a second farm tour (also featuring some buckwheat plots) at Twin Oaks. Learn about cover crops, whole sale vegetable production and fall season crops with Pam Dawling. This event is in Louisa, VA.

October 7: Webinar: New Emergency Animal Mortality Management Conservation Practice Standard and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Participants will learn about the new NRCS conservation practice standard CPS 368 to manage emergency related animal mortality and about USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) emergency response in the current Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza situation, including the roles and responsibilities of both NRCS and APHIS.

October 10: Organic Orchard Planning and Fruit Tasting: Workshop participants will learn how to grow a bounty of rich, delicious fruit from plants that require little tending. The workshop will teach you about growing naturally disease and insect resistant fruits, as well as organic management techniques for conventional fruits and nuts. This workshop is located in Charlottesville, VA.

October 16: Introduction to QuickBooks plus Crop Insurance and Risk Management:This workshop contains a QuickBooks software tutorial, as well as a discussion of crop insurance and risk management for small farmers. This workshop is located in Petersburg, VA.

October 22: VSU Aquaculture Field Day: The Aquaculture Field Day offers participants the opportunity to learn about pond aquaculture and aquaponic production in Virginia from the VSU College of Agriculture. This workshops is located in Petersburg, VA.

October 22: Whole Farm Business Management and Planning: This workshop is focused on business management and planning for farmers. The workshop is located in Providence Forge, VA.

October 22-23: Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit: Urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food around an urban setting taking the form of a backyard, rooftop and community gardens on vacant lots. Conference will feature urban farm tours and opportunities to connect with fellow urban farmers. This conference is located in Richmond, VA.

October 22 – November 5: Appalachian Sustainable Development’s “Know How Your Money Grows and Where It Goes” workshops: This is one of the whole farm planning workshop groups associated with the VBFRCP. The three workshops in this set cover financial statements, talking with the lenders, and enterprise budget analysis. Assistance writing whole farm business plans is also being provided. This workshop series is located in Abingdon, VA.

October 23-25: Unlock the Productivity of Your Soil Using Nature’s Principles: Learn how to balance your land to make your next growing season your best yet! Come learn how you can grow lush, healthy and nutritious plants – biologically with no chemicals- in this hands-on, intensive workshop. This workshop is located in Gladstone, VA.

October 27: Webinar: Use of Solid-Liquid Separation Alternatives for Manure Handling and Treatment: This presentation will outline several solid-liquid separation technologies for manure handling and treatment, and selection guidance will be provided.