Virginia Forage and Grassland Council Presents Southern Piedmont Summer Forage Tour

This meeting is approved for Category 90 Private Pesticide Applicator and Beef Quality Assurance recertification!

Where:  Dungeness Farm , 801 Rock Castle Rd, Goochland, VA 23063

When:  July 21, 2011 from 2-7:00 PM, registration at 2:00 PM, tour starts at 2:30 PM 
Cost:  No cost if you preregister by July 14, 2011, otherwise $10 at the door

Preregistration:  Contact Margaret Kenny at 434-292-5331

Farm and Tour Description: 
Dungeness farm located outside of Goochland, VA and is owned by the Massie family and managed by Cross River Farms LLC, a partnership between the families of David Moyer, Vernon Moyer and Robert Harper.  The farm is located on the scenic James River and was home to Thomas Jefferson’s mother.  The current operation consists of the following enterprises: cow/calf seedstock, custom feeding, heifer development, and retail beef.  Cross River farms, LLC works closely with the Amelia Area Cattlemen, LLC to custom background calves for the Pennsylvania feeder calf market.  The tour will begin with Robert Harper, owner and operator of Cross River Farms providing a general overview of the farm and its current enterprises.  Participants will then be transported through a series of educational stops covering the topics listed below.  The meeting will conclude with a catered meal and guest speaker. 

Join the Town of Halifax on Friday night, July 30, from 6-9pm for Friday Night Jams at the Halifax Farmers Market.

Bring your lawn chairs for lots of fun!

Clean Virginia Waterways (CVW) announces an upcoming “Train the Trainer” workshop for nonprofit organizations, community groups and other groups that would like to host their own “Make a Rain Barrel Workshop” for the public.

After taking this CVW workshop, your organization or group may order our recycled food barrels and hardware kits for use in your own rain barrel making workshops.

On Tuesday, October 5, the Halifax County Fair will open with five days of special events celebrating its 100th Anniversary. This year’s event will showcase a retrospective of an annual tradition that began on lower Main Street in South Boston VA and has grown to be a cornerstone fall event that continues to unite the community through agriculture, rides, food and music.

The Fair's new website (http://www.halifaxcountyfair.com) has just been launched, along with the schedule for performers who have been booked so far.  This year's entertainment will include the flamboyant Marty Stuart, the Second Annual Bluegrass Festival, and the Annual 4-H Talent Show that has been so popular over the years.

Do you own, or aspire to own, a small farm?  If so, one of the biggest obstacles can be diversifying your operations enough to spread the risk around.  To learn from farmers who have successfully diversified their operation, make plans to attend this Agriculture Diversification Field Day, sponsored by VA Tech's Small Farm Outreach & Technical Assistance Program.

The Field Day is July 13 from 10 am-12 noon in South Hill, and is free and open to the public.