FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 12, 2016

Contact: William Gee, Marketing & Communications Dept., 804-524-5005, wgee@vsu.edu

Danville to host VSU’s Annual Small Farm Symposium

Connect with agricultural professionals and marketing experts to learn about opportunities and strategies for enhancing small-farm profits during Virginia State University’s Small Farm Symposium Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research in Danville.      

Brennan Washington, Southern SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) program coordinator, will deliver the keynote address. Washington and his wife own and operate Phoenix Gardens, a small diversified farm where produce is grown, and laying hens and broiler chickens are raised.      

Free and open to the public, the symposium will feature presentations on marketing, value-added production, and GAP (good agricultural practices) certification. During the noon awards luncheon, VSU’s Small Farm Outreach Program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will recognize outstanding farmers and volunteers.        

To register for this event, visit http://www.ext.vsu.edu/calendar, click on the event and then click on the registration link. If you’d like to register by phone, or if you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact VSU’s Small Farm Outreach Program Office at (804)524-5626 / (800) 828-1120 (TDD) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.to discuss arrangements five days before the event.    

Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. Virginia Cooperative Extension 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, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M.Ray McKinnie, Interim Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.

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