How to Make a Winter Wellness Bouquet
It's the time of year when we experience chillier months and longer nights. In nature, winter is a time to rest and wait for the eruption of life and color that comes with spring. For many people, winter can be a time of high stress. The pressure of holidays with travel or family tension, a never-ending parade of germs coming home with your kids from school and feelings of loneliness are all too common experiences. This winter season, VSU-Virginia Cooperative Extension is introducing a locally-grown idea for a DIY wellness activity to combat stress and take an intentional moment to slow down.
In 2024, Dr. Theresa Nartea, the Extension Specialist for Marketing and Agribusiness at VSU-VCE, began a new agri-therapy program named VSU Floralpy®, inspired by the words "floral" and "therapy." Dr. Nartea launched this fresh approach at VSU's Randolph Farm with the goal of improving the integrated well-being of the community. Participants learned how being immersed in a field of fragrant flowers and herbs enhances well-being. Dr. Nartea said, "I noticed during field days how participants would walk into the blooming flower fields, and instantly their faces lit up. They would touch the leaves and smell the flowers; you could instantly see people relax and smile just being one with nature." During several VSU field days, participants could cut their own flowers and herbs to make a personal bouquet to take home. This Floralpy® process of creating a personal aromatic bouquet straight out of nature instead of a store is a fun way to reduce stress. "I believe making your own wellness bouquet is a form of focused meditation," says Dr. Nartea. Local growers also learned about the possibility of adding this valuable activity to their on-farm offerings.
Virginia State University Celebrates a Year of Collaborations
Collaborative partnerships are a cornerstone of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) at Virginia State University (VSU)’s mission to help people put scientific knowledge to work through learning experiences that their well-being. In 2024, VSU is proud to celebrate successful collaborations across programming areas in community development, 4H, human nutrition and health and food, ag systems and agroforestry.
VSU’s Associate Specialist of Community Development Ms. Novita Epps collaborates with the Concerned Citizens of Ettrick, one of VSU’s surrounding communities. This group is dedicated to addressing local issues, and promoting the cultural, spiritual, economic, educational, physical and social well-being of the Ettrick community.
Virginia State University’s Mobile Education Unit Takes Agriculture Education to Communities Along the East Coast.
25,000 miles along the East Coast from Virginia all the way to Florida: this is the distance Virginia State University (VSU)’s Mobile Education Unit (MEU) has traveled since its first road trip just two years ago. What started as a grant-funded opportunity from agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Virginia Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau and more has taken on a life of its own with over 10 sponsors, most of which are Virginia-based. The MEU is a state-of-the-art trailer with dynamic, interactive exhibits that showcase Virginia’s rich agriculture and forestry industries. While the MEU team is already accomplishing the unit’s mission of agriculture education outreach, there’s even more on the horizon.
Virginia State University Co-Hosts First Mid-Atlantic Farmers Market Conference to Strengthen Local Food Systems
At Virginia State University (VSU), the College of Agriculture is committed to the integrated well-being of communities, and agricultural innovation and sustainability. The natural intersection of these is at a farmer’s market, where local producers and the community come together to celebrate and strengthen local food systems. This November, VSU and the Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) partnered to host the first Mid-Atlantic Farmers Market Conference in Richmond, Virginia, to bring farmers, market managers, agriculture policy makers and community partners together to share passion and ideas for small and local farms, increasing food access, healthy communities and farmers markets.
Family Focus Program Expands Efforts to Support Virginia’s Families with Young Children
For over 30 years, Sheree Press and Bernadette “Bee” Darrow have run a program aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect. February of 2025 will mark 15 years of their program, Family Focus, coming under the umbrella of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) thanks in part to some out-of-the-box thinking from Virginia State University (VSU)’s Special Assistant to the Associate Administrator Doris Heath, who at the time was a local extension agent familiar with Family Focus. Previously, the program was a part of the Virginia Mental Health System’s Prevention services when funding issues forced a temporary closure of the program. After years of struggling to grow and applying for grants acting as financial band-aids for their critical work, Press and Darrow are driving program growth to expand their impact. “We’re at the moment of growth for the first time in 14 years,” says Darrow. “We joined the VCE Human Development Team and the VSU Extension Program Team during the pandemic. We’ve been uplifted and elevated as people and a program more in the last four years than ever.”
Virginia State University Continues Legacy Efforts of First African American Extension Agent in Virginia
The goal of establishing these institutions was to develop practical solutions to problems, as the approach to university level education in America continued to evolve from a narrow liberal arts education towards the diverse fields available today. At the time, these institutions were for white male students. It wasn’t until 1882 that the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, now called Virginia State University (VSU), was founded for the purpose of providing higher education opportunities for African Americans.
Virginia State University's Small Farm Outreach Program Takes Bold Steps to Increase Urban Farmers' Access to USDA Resources
Urban agriculture is critical to supporting and strengthening local food systems, especially in areas where residents are historically underserved and have limited access to food. An urban farm provides the community with economic opportunities, green space, and nutritious fresh food. However, urban farmers may struggle to access the necessary resources to support or grow their operations. Virginia State University's (VSU) Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP) is finding solutions to this through the new National Urban Ag Initiative.
Grant-funded aquaponics project explores brackish water possibilities for tomatoes
Virginia State University (VSU) will conduct research investigating tomato growth and nutraceutical qualities within brackish water (5 ppt) aquaponic systems. Dr. Nicholas Romano, VSU’s Aquaculture Extension Specialist, along with Mr. Joshua Dusci, VSU’s Indoor Agriculture Extension Associate, received a grant for $38,000 from the Virginia Department of Consumer Services to develop the project in collaboration with VSU’s Virginia Cooperative Extension counterpart, Virginia Tech (VT).
VSU’s Urban Agriculture Program Assistant Makes Community Connections Through Partnerships, Innovation, and a Little Dirt
First thing in the morning, you can find Rachel Lawmaster caring for rabbits and working with greenhouse plants. The rest of her day might include more farm work, office work, or hosting a weekly program at the Petersburg Boys and Girls Club to introduce students to agriculture (her favorite day of the week). Lawmaster is Virginia State University (VSU)'s Program Assistant for the Urban Agriculture program, and she combines passion, commitment and a broad array of outreach efforts to impact her community positively.
VSU’s Urban Agriculture Experts Help Develop Eden’s Garden
When Second Baptist Church (SBC) in Richmond, Virginia, grappled with the issue of stormwater runoff from its extensive roof, it collaborated with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to develop an efficient solution. But with the challenge of managing the collected water emerging, specialists from Virginia State University's Cooperative Extension (VSU-VCE) and assistants from the Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP) saw an opportunity: start an urban garden.
VSU Extension’s Small Farm Outreach Program Garners Almost $4M in Funding to Bolster Urban Agriculture
Virginia Cooperative Extension's Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP), housed under Virginia State University College of Agriculture, secured close to $4 million in grants and sub-awards to tackle food insecurity. The initiative will connect urban farmers with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) representatives and resources.
Virginia State University’s Small Farm Outreach Program Bridges the Gap for Hispanic Farmer
As the Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes increasing numbers of residents of diverse ethnicities, the Hispanic population in particular continues to soar—and so do their needs for Extension services.
This population now comprises nearly 11% of the state's total population, a significant increase from 8% a decade ago. Of this population, there are those who want to start their own farm enterprises. To assist them, the Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP), part of the Virginia Cooperative Extension program at Virginia State University, relies heavily on Leonel Castillo, its Hispanic outreach coordinator.
Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University Revamps its aquaculture program
After 30 successful years in aquaculture at VSU Randolph Farm, with its 57 research and instruction ponds, fish hatchery, greenhouse-based tanks and automated fish processing facility, Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University is reassessing how best to address the current needs of producers in the growing industry. As one of two land-grant universities in the commonwealth, VSU-VCE advises limited-resource producers about aquaculture opportunities and best practices.
Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Research Station at Virginia State University’s accelerated lambing system improves lamb supply consistency
Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University helps small-scale sheep farmers across Virginia reduce expenses, increase profits and provide exceptional products with innovative, evidence-based strategies. With demand for lamb outstripping domestic supply, local, small-scale farmers and consumers can benefit from systems developed by Extension and the Agricultural Research Station at VSU.
Grace Summers named 2022 Small Farm Outreach Program’s Program Assistant of the Year by Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University
“It’s one of my greatest highlights for all the years I’ve been in agriculture,” said Summers, who has been in agriculture her entire life.
Born and raised on her family’s farm in Guilford County, N.C., a recognized Century Farm that has been in her family since 1878, she learned the value of working the land at an early age—along with its challenges—from a long line of tobacco farmers.
The Small Farm Outreach Program Helps Small-Scale Black Farmers Make Big Impacts
Small Farm Outreach Program, part of Virginia State University College of Agriculture and Virginia Cooperative Extension empowers small-scale, limited-resource, socially disadvantaged, minority and veteran farmers and ranchers to own, operate and sustain their independent enterprises through education, information and assistance. SFOP serves Virginia and parts of Maryland and North Carolina. It is making a big impact, especially on small-scale black farmers.
Chase City Community Gardens Flourish
Like a plant that puts out runners multiplies its fruitfulness, so one person with vision, passion and expertise, has the ability to reach out, develop supporters and make a huge difference in a community. Wanda Johnson is such an individual.
Virginia State University boosts efforts to connect with participants of PROSPER
The PROmoting School-Community-University Partnerships to Enhance Resilience (PROSPER) model is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Children, Youth, and Families at Risk Grant. PROSPER seeks to avoid opioid and other substance misuse through proactive prevention strategies.
Virginia State University’s Community Assessment is One More Step Towards Addressing Local Food Insecurity
The Harding St. Urban Ag Center in Petersburg, Virginia has one mission: to address existing food deserts in the City of Petersburg by building a sustainable food production system and distribution hub. This includes educating the community about indoor food production operations, marketing, and entrepreneurship. To help further this mission, Virginia State University’s (VSU) Extension Program is spearheading efforts to change the policies behind some of the local problems of quality food access.