A Taste of Randolph Farm - VSU College of AGriculture Field Day

Thursday, August 29, 2024 · Registration Begins at 7:30 AM

VSU Randolph Farm, 4415 River Road, Petersburg, VA

This year's theme is "A Taste of Randolph Farm." Discover the rich offerings of the VSU College of Agriculture through:

• Diverse and innovative programs in food, agriculture, natural resources, family, youth, nutrition, and community engagement

• Opportunities to meet faculty, researchers, students, Extension specialists, and community members, including small farmers and industry partners

• Hands-on activities and the chance to taste Randolph Farm's produce and meats prepared by culinary experts

• The VSU Trojan Farmer's Market, where you can shop tasty, healthy, local produce and farm products

FARM TOUR STOPS—

• High-Tech Ag - Drones: Mr. Tim Sexton

• USDA Agencies & Virginia Agencies:

  • Farm Service Agency (FSA)

  • Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

  • Risk Management Agency (RMA)

  • Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

  • Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

  • Farm Credit of the Virginias

  • Virginia Department of Social Services

  • Virginia Farm Bureau

  • VA Department of Conservation and Recreation

  • University of Arkansas - RMA Navigator Program

• Food Safety & Packaging: Dr. Chyer Kim and Dr. Toktam Taghavi

• Nocturnal Animals; Stone Garden: Dr. Trakela Wright-Hicks, Ms. Bernadette Darrow, and Ms. Sheree Press

• Aquafarm: Mr. James Hill

• Taste of Randolph Farm: Sample tilapia, catfish, and trout prepared by Chef Reese & Chef Rose (HM students), and lamb by Jessica Queen & Chef Bobby Maddox from Belmont Butchery

• Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) - Aquaponics: Mr. Josh Dusci

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - Pollinator Health: Dr. Zelalem Mersha

• Edible Flowers & Herbs: Dr. Theresa Nartea & Mrs. Robeson

• High-Tech High Tunnel: Ms. Grace Summers

• COA Departments & Clubs:

  • Department of Agriculture

  • Department of Family Consumer Science

  • Department of Hospitality Management

  • Horticulture Club, MANRRS, Pre-Vet Club

• Ginger & Garlic: Dr. Sanjun Gu

• High Tunnel Hemp: Dr. Ramesh Dhakal

• Soil & Water Quality: Dr. Leonard Githinji

• Recycling of Crop Residue: Dr. Adnan Yousuf

• Power Proteins:

  • Edamame: Dr. Guo-Liang Jiang

  • Faba Beans: Dr. Shahram Torabian

  • Black Beans, Kidney Beans, Great Northern Beans, Pinto Beans, and Navy Beans: Dr. Harbans Bhardwaj

• Small Ruminants: Live animals, Parasite Laboratory, Mobile Processing Unit, and Germplasm Laboratory led by Dr. Dahlia O'Brien & Dr. Stephan Wildeus, Ms. Davida Rimm-Kauffman & Ms. Mackenzie Robertson

• Healthy Animals: Dr. Eunice Ndegwa

• Fruits of Discovery - Canticuber: Dr. Shuxin Ren and Dr. Leah Hamilton

• Deer Fencing: Ms. Amanda Seow

• Switchgrass Energy: Dr. Maru Kering

• Heritage Cattle: Dr. Neal Brown, Mr. Berry Harris & Mr. Isaiah Embry

VSU TROJAN FARMER’S MARKET:

Shop tasty, healthy, local produce, and value-added farm products from these vendors:

• Sycamore Springs Farm (Visit Website)

• Crystal's Catering & Sweet Treats (Visit Facebook)

• Petersburg Oasis Youth Farm (Visit Facebook)

• Truth Village Farms (Read More)

• Browntown Farms (Visit Website)

• MiMi's Kitchen (Cooper Family Farms)

• Don Sebastian Salsa (Visit Website)

• Kate’s Sweet Bakes (Visit Website)

• Crunch On! Snacks

• Chocoberry

• Agriberry (Visit Website)

• JavaBean, LLC (Visit Website)

• Hungershop (Visit Website)

Join us for a family-friendly event that showcases the best of Randolph Farm and the VSU College of Agriculture.

For more information, contact Carrie Bolton at 804-524-5836 or cebolton@vsu.edu; or Jessica Harris at 804-524-5964 or jharris@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Carrie Bolton at cebolton@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-5836 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Sustainable urban agriculture certificate program

Saturdays, March 2 through June 8, 2024 • 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

VSU Randolph Farm, 4415 River Rd, Petersburg, VA and Online

INCREASE COMPETENCE AND MARKETABILITY FOR A CAREER IN URBAN AGRICULTURE

Virginia State College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension will offer a twelve (12) week Urban Agriculture Certificate Course from March 2 through June 8, 2024.

The classes will be on Saturdays are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at VSU Randolph Farm Pavilion, and will include lectures and hands-on experiential learning sessions. Those who choose the virtual option will be able to attend sessions online, and will receive the same kits for hands-on activities, the same educational materials, and the same certificate as those who choose the in-person option.

Course Topics Include:

• General Principles of Urban Agriculture 

• Basic Botany, Physiology, and Environmental Effects of Plant Growth 

• Crop Pest and Disease Management 

• Business Principles of Agriculture 

• Permaculture; Vegetable and Small Fruit Production 

• Urban Soils, Brownfields and Safe Gardening Practices 

• Greenhouse Production-Aquaponics/Hydroponics 

• Plant Propagation and Nursery Management 

• Backyard Rearing 

Instruction are provided by Virginia State University and Virginia Tech Faculty, and featured guest speakers. 

 For more information, contact Dr. Leonard Githinji at lgithinji@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-5962, or visit the webpage below: 

https://www.ext.vsu.edu/urban-agriculture-certificate-program

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

VSU College of Agriculture Field Day

Thursday, September 1 • 8:30 AM–12:30 PM

Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm, 4415 River Road, Petersburg, VA, 23803

This free event will showcase the many ways VSU’s agricultural researchers, Extension specialists and professors support Virginia’s agriculture and forestry industries, the commonwealth’s number one private economic driver, with an annual economic impact of more than $91 billion.

Hop on and off trollies as they circle throughout Randolph Farm’s 416 acres and learn from the commonwealth’s leading experts about the latest techniques, trends, research and success stories impacting small-scale, limited-resource farmers and ranchers.

See first-hand how VSU’s research, teaching and public programming is enhancing the resiliency of Virginia’s food systems and addressing food safety and insecurity, especially among those who have limited social and economic resources.

Learn how you, your family, your business and your community can benefit from the food and agri-science programs at VSU.

EXPLORE

• Mobile Sheep & Goat Processing Unit

• Pond Aquaculture

• Hydroponic and Aquaponic Grow Systems

• High Tunnel Production

• Livestock Grazing Demonstration

• Industrial Hemp

• Sheep & Goat Production

• And More

For more information, contact Jessica Harris at (804) 524-5964 or jbrown@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-5964 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program

Every Saturday, March 5 - 21, 2022 • 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

VSU Randolph Farm Pavilion, 4415 River Road, Petersburg, VA

Sign up for a twelve (12) week Saturday Urban Agriculture Certificate Course beginning March 5, 2022 to May 21, 2022. The classes are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and include in-class and hands-on experiential learning sessions.

This Spring the course will be offered as Face-to-Face and will be limited to 25 participants. All participants are required to attend the March 5, 2022 orientation from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Classes will be held at the Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm pavilion, located on 4415 River Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23803.

Some Course Topics Include:

• General Principles of Urban Agriculture

• Basic Botany, Physiology, and Environmental Effects of Plant Growth

• Crop Pest and Disease Management

• Business Principles of Agriculture

• Permaculture; Vegetable and Small Fruit Production

• Brownfields and Safe Gardening Practices

• Greenhouse Production-Aquaponics/Hydroponics

• Plant Propagation and Nursery Management

• Backyard Rearing

Instruction are provided by Virginia State University and Virginia Tech Faculty, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agents and featured guest speakers.

This program is supported in part by the USDA/NIFA grant # 2015-38821-24339 Entitled “From Food Deserts to Agrihoods: Transforming Food Insecure Neighborhoods with Comprehensive Urban Agriculture Education” and USDA/NIFA grant # 2018-38821-27760 Entitled “Enhancing the Capacity of Virginia State University to Expand Urban Agriculture Education through the Distance Learning Approach”.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Agriculture and Natural Resources office at (804)524-5960/TDD (800)828-1120 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.

Please note to complete the course, you must attend all classes. If you are unable to complete the course you will be dismissed from the program. There is no refund of the registration fees.

Sample and Control of Varroa Mite and Small Hive Beetle

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 • 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

VSU Randolph Farm, 4415 River Road, Petersburg, VA 23803

Keith Tignor, VDACS State Apiarist will provide a lecture on the life cycle of the Varroa Mite and the Small Hive Beetle, how to inspect for these and other pests and discuss various integrated pest management strategies to control these pests. Following the lecture, we will move out to the bee yard on Randolph Farm where Keith will demonstrate how to inspect a hive to identify, sample and control these pests. All participants going to the bee yard must bring their own bee suit and wear light-colored clothes, gloves and closed-toe shoes. Please do not wear fragrances or perfumes. Those allergic to bee venom must bring their own Epipen.

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 25 PARTICIPANTS.

For more information, contact Tracy Porter at (804) 481-2566 or tporter@vsu.edu.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ATTENDING THIS PROGRAM DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) will follow all current CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during this program. Additionally, all VCE employees and members of the public attending a VCE public program are required to: 1) wear a face shield or mask over their nose and mouth, 2) stay a minimum of six feet away from others, 3) wash or disinfect their hands frequently, and 4) stay home if they or anyone close to them have experienced any COVID-19 symptoms any time two weeks prior to the program or if they have been knowingly exposed to someone with COVID-19 two weeks prior to the program.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

VSU College of Agriculture Field Day

Friday, July 30, 2021 • 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM

VSU Randolph Farm, 4415 River Road, Petersburg, VA 23803

Join us for an educational field day at VSU Randolph Farm. Learn about...

• Goat & Sheep Management

• Vegetable & Berry Production

• Plant Disease Prevention

• Hydroponic, Aquaponic & High Tunnel Crop Production

• Cattle Grazing

For more information, contact Tina Cabrera at (804) 524-6971 or tcabrera@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Cover Crop Field Day and Demonstration (rescheduled to fall 2021)

Please check calendar for new date!

If you would like to get notified when this event is open for registration, please subscribe to our event email list.

For more information, contact the Small Farm Outreach Program at (804) 524-3292 or smallfarm@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program

March 6, 2021 - May 22, 2021 • 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Virtual Zoom Meeting

THIS EVENT HAS REACHED CAPACITY.

INCREASE COMPETENCE AND MARKETABILITY FOR A CAREER IN URBAN AGRICULTURE

To help meet the growing demand for academically trained urban agriculture professionals, Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture is offering its fourth Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program this spring. Designed for anyone charged with starting or managing an urban farm or who wants to increase their marketability to do so, the course provides a curriculum rich in the science-based knowledge needed to successfully and safely grow produce in an urban environment.

Courses include: sustainable soil management, plant propagation and nursery management, permaculture, plant disease and pest management, greenhouse production (hydroponics and aquaponics), animal husbandry (backyard chickens and rabbits), urban farming business planning and management, and many more. All courses will be taught by Virginia State University (VSU), and Virginia Tech professors and other invited guests

The 12-week (17 modules) course begins March 6 and ends May 22, 2020. Classes will be conducted on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. via Zoom and will include lectures and hands-on activities. Each student must also complete by the end of October, 80 hours of internship work at one or more approved urban farms in order to successfully graduate from the program with full certification.

For a fee of $250, the course will include Zoom sessions, kits for hands-on activities, and educational materials.

All participants are required to attend all Zoom sessions including the March 6, 2021 orientation from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. that will be conducted.

If you need further information or are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Saajida Chohan at schohan@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-5252/TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations no later than five days prior to registration closing.

EnviroAtlas Workshop

Thursday, September 3, 2020 | 10AM

Virtual Zoom Meeting

EnviroAtlas provides geospatial data, easy-to-use tools, and other resources related to ecosystem services, their chemical and non-chemical stressors, and human health. This will be a training on how to use the tools.

Speaker:  Matthew T. Lee, Environmental Protection Specialist

For more information, contact Dr. Marcus Comer at mcomer@vsu.edu.

YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR ZOOM MEETING LINK ON THE CONFIRMATION PAGE AND IN THE CONFIRMATION EMAIL. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A LINK, PLEASE EMAIL MJKLINGMAN@VSU.EDU.

For more information, or if you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, contact Mark Klingman from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (804) 524-5493 / TDD (800) 828-1120 or mjklingman@vsu.edu 48 hours before the start of the program.

“Healthy Farms and Healthy Food for the Commonwealth and Common Good”

Virginia Farm to Table Plan

Strawberries

May 15, 2020

4-H Agent Kari Sponaugle in Highland County runs a fresh produce operation with her husband Michael called Church Hill Produce. They’ve been growing seasonal fresh produce since 2011. Part of that operation is an acre of strawberries. Kari will show you around her strawberry ‘patch’ and explain how to grow and manage strawberry plants and what it takes to get them ready for harvest. Then Becky Gartner, Family & Consumer Sciences Extension Agent from Culpeper County, will show how to make an easy recipe for Strawberry Spinach Salad. This recipe is so delicious that you will want to make it often for your family.

Register here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZlRGFpL1SruvuCbhPxW_Sw

In this new series, participants will take virtual tours of Virginia farms to learn how:

• Virginia grown food is produced and prepared for you and your families.

• To prepare new recipes from the foods that are produced on local farms.

• VCE professionals, farmers, and food businesses are cultivating healthy food, farms, and communities.

Each virtual tour is 40 minutes long and open to everyone!

All sessions will take place on Fridays at 2 PM from May 15th – September. For full series information: https://bit.ly/2zQYNXl

Questions may be directed to Lenah Nguyen lgeer@vt.edu

Fall Gardening Workshop

OCTOBER 31, 2018
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

VSU RANDOLPH FARM
4415 River Road • Petersburg, VA

$20 per person.
Lunch is included.

For this workshop, participants will learn about:

• Plant nutrient management
• Urban soils and their management
• Growing of strawberries, caneberries and blueberries
• Best vegetable gardening practices
• Gardening of cool-season crops
• Season extension using low tunnels

The workshop will culminate in hands-on exercises at the Urban Agriculture Research Demonstration Site.

Presenters include:

Leonard Githinji

Mark Reiter

Jayesh Samtani

Chris Mullins

Ramon Arancibia

Greg Evanylo

Workshop Presentations

Fall Fruits in Urban Gardens - Jayesh Samtani, Ph.D., Small Fruit Production Specialist, Virginia Polytechnic institute and State University

Cool-Season Crops Vegetable Production - Leonard J.M. Githinji, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Sustainable and Urban Agriculture, Virginia State University

Good Gardening Practices - Chris Mullins, Virginia State University

Soil and Plant Nutrient Management - Mark S. Reiter, Ph.D., Soils and Nutrient Management Specialist

Row covers in vegetables, beyond season extension - Ramón A. Arancibia, Eastern Shore AREC, Virginia Tech

Urban Soils: Assessment and Management - Greg Evanylo, Plant and Environmental Sciences

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Sustainable & Urban Agriculture Program office at mklein@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-5960 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Sustainable Gardening Practices in High Tunnel Systems

AUGUST 14, 2018
9AM - 11:30AM

ACE Gardens
4247 Creighton Rd, Richmond, Virginia

AGENDA & PRESENTATIONS

9:00 AM
Registration & Welcome

9:30 AM

• Principles of Sustainable Gardening, Dr. Leonard Githinji, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Sustainable and Urban Agriculture, Virginia State University

10:15 AM

• High Tunnel Production, Dr. Reza Rafie, Professor and Extension Specialist, Horticulture, Virginia State University

11:00 AM

• Environmental Control in High Tunnels, Chris Mullins, Extension Specialist, Greenhouse, Virginia State University

• Tour of the Garden, Billie Brown, ACE Garden

THIS WORKSHOP IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

For more information, contact the VSU Virginia Cooperative Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources office  at (804) 524-5960 or email mklein@vsu.edu

Presentations

High Tunnels - Chris Mullins

Sustainable Gardening Practices - Leonard Githinji, Ph.D.

Ethnic (Niche Crops) with Market Potential - Reza Rafie, Ph.D.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact mklein@vsu.edu with the Cooperative Extension office, Agriculture & Natural Resources at VSU, or call (804) 524-5960  / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

June 26 • 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Appomattox Regional Library

209 E. Cawson Street, Hopewell, VA

Join us for a three-part workshop series where you'll learn how to turn a small yard into a fruitful garden. This program will include classroom sessions and hands-on training/demonstrations. Classroom sessions will be held at Appomattox Regional Library, followed by the hands-on workshop at the Woodlawn Community Center, approximately 10 minutes from the library.

Workshops include:

• Unlocking the Secret of Soils (June 12)
  Dr. Leonard Githinji, Virginia Cooperative Extension Specialist, Sustainable & Urban Agriculture, will share how to identify your yard's soil type and how to amend it to have beautiful and productive gardens.
• Gardening in Small Spaces (June 19)
  If your yard gets full sun and you have access to a hose, you can grow more vegetables than you can probably eat. Join us to learn how to make the most of your space, which varieties do best in containers, and companion planting tips to keep maintenance to a minimum. We'll provide free containers and you'll take home some starter plants, too.
• Backyard Orchards (June 26)
  Joel Koci, Virginia Cooperative Extension Associate Specialist, Urban Forestry, will share how apples, pears, plums, and blueberries can beautify your yard while providing fresh fruit. You'll learn which varieties do best in our soils and climate, which fruits need partners for pollination, and how to plant and prune your fruit trees to get them off to a good start.

Register for one or all three: http://www.cbf.org/events/virginia/gardening-for-life.html or contact Ann Jurczyk • ajurczyk@cbf.org • 804/258-1522

Weather permitting, hands-on activities will be held at Woodlawn Community Center 1100 Dinwiddie Avenue, Hopewell

June 19 • 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Appomattox Regional Library

209 E. Cawson Street, Hopewell, VA

Join us for a three-part workshop series where you'll learn how to turn a small yard into a fruitful garden. This program will include classroom sessions and hands-on training/demonstrations. Classroom sessions will be held at Appomattox Regional Library, followed by the hands-on workshop at the Woodlawn Community Center, approximately 10 minutes from the library.

Workshops include:

• Unlocking the Secret of Soils (June 12)
  Dr. Leonard Githinji, Virginia Cooperative Extension Specialist, Sustainable & Urban Agriculture, will share how to identify your yard's soil type and how to amend it to have beautiful and productive gardens.
• Gardening in Small Spaces (June 19)
  If your yard gets full sun and you have access to a hose, you can grow more vegetables than you can probably eat. Join us to learn how to make the most of your space, which varieties do best in containers, and companion planting tips to keep maintenance to a minimum. We'll provide free containers and you'll take home some starter plants, too.
• Backyard Orchards (June 26)
  Joel Koci, Virginia Cooperative Extension Associate Specialist, Urban Forestry, will share how apples, pears, plums, and blueberries can beautify your yard while providing fresh fruit. You'll learn which varieties do best in our soils and climate, which fruits need partners for pollination, and how to plant and prune your fruit trees to get them off to a good start.

Register for one or all three: http://www.cbf.org/events/virginia/gardening-for-life.html or contact Ann Jurczyk • ajurczyk@cbf.org • 804/258-1522

Weather permitting, hands-on activities will be held at Woodlawn Community Center 1100 Dinwiddie Avenue, Hopewell

June 12 • 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Appomattox Regional Library

209 E. Cawson Street, Hopewell, VA

Join us for a three-part workshop series where you'll learn how to turn a small yard into a fruitful garden. This program will include classroom sessions and hands-on training/demonstrations. Classroom sessions will be held at Appomattox Regional Library, followed by the hands-on workshop at the Woodlawn Community Center, approximately 10 minutes from the library.

Workshops include:

• Unlocking the Secret of Soils (June 12)
  Dr. Leonard Githinji, Virginia Cooperative Extension Specialist, Sustainable & Urban Agriculture, will share how to identify your yard's soil type and how to amend it to have beautiful and productive gardens.
• Gardening in Small Spaces (June 19)
  If your yard gets full sun and you have access to a hose, you can grow more vegetables than you can probably eat. Join us to learn how to make the most of your space, which varieties do best in containers, and companion planting tips to keep maintenance to a minimum. We'll provide free containers and you'll take home some starter plants, too.
• Backyard Orchards (June 26)
  Joel Koci, Virginia Cooperative Extension Associate Specialist, Urban Forestry, will share how apples, pears, plums, and blueberries can beautify your yard while providing fresh fruit. You'll learn which varieties do best in our soils and climate, which fruits need partners for pollination, and how to plant and prune your fruit trees to get them off to a good start.

Register for one or all three: http://www.cbf.org/events/virginia/gardening-for-life.html or contact Ann Jurczyk • ajurczyk@cbf.org • 804/258-1522

Weather permitting, hands-on activities will be held at Woodlawn Community Center 1100 Dinwiddie Avenue, Hopewell

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WORKSHOP HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

TRICYCLE
901 Bainbridge Street • Richmond, VA

Virginia State University and Tricycle invite you for a field day to discuss and learn more about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. The field day will include a tour and discussions of various IPM practices that are both ecologically and environmentally sustainable.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a broad-based approach that integrates optimal practices for economic control of pests. It aims at suppressing pest populations below the economic injury level. Specific topics to be covered will include weed control practices, insect pest control strategies, and plant disease management.

Speakers: Dr. Leonard Githinji, Sustainable and Urban Agriculture Specialist at Virginia State University; Amy Wildermann, Urban Farm Manager, Tricycle; Dr. Doug Pfeiffer, Professor and Entomologist / IPM Specialist, Virginia Tech University; and Dr. Zelalem Mersha, Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, Virginia State University

Lunch will be provided

For more information, contact VSU Agriculture & Natural Resources / Urban Agriculture program office at (804) 524-5960.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Extension office at mklein@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-5960 /TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Urban Ag Field Day

November 2, 2017 | 9:30-11:30am

Growing Petersburg Garden Project
535 Beech Street, Petersburg, VA 23803

Urban agriculture helps to alleviate urban food deserts, make our food as “local” and fresh as possible and decrease the “food miles” associated with long-distance transportation. It provides a wide range of community benefits, including closer neighborhood ties, reduced crime, education and job training opportunities, and healthy food access for low-income residents.

Join us for a hands-on field day to talk about fall gardening!

REGISTER NOW: http://bit.ly/2gs3v4K

Speakers: Mike Jackson, President, Think, Then Choose Wisely; Dr. Leonard Githinji, Sustainable and Urban Agriculture Extension Specialist; and William Crutchfield, VSU Small Farm Outreach

THIS EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL (804) 524-5960.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Agriculture & Natural Resources Program office at (804) 524-5960 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.