Virginia Fresh Produce Food Safety Team

02/25/2026

Food safety training will be held on March 2nd at 6PM at the Charlotte County Extension office. Please rsvp by calling 434-542-5884 or emailing [email protected].

02/24/2026

Attention commercial berry growers and industry representatives, join us for the fast-approaching program! The registration code is in the attached flyer. Evening programming this year is focused on blackberry and blueberry production. If you are an out-of-town guest, we have a special group rate available at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites, Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Please call the hotel sales office directly at: 757-383-6065 to reserve your room at $124/night. *Identify yourself as an attendee of the Mid-Atlantic Strawberry Programs.

02/19/2026

Dear Farm to School Professionals,

You’re invited to a hands-on field trip at the Carver Food Enterprise Center (CFEC) to explore practical, scalable strategies for incorporating local foods into school meals.

During this interactive session, you will:

· See how seasonal surpluses are transformed into school-ready products

· Learn fun ways to incorporate local fruits into breakfasts and snacks, including a smoothie ice pop demonstration

· Gain insights on meat marketing claims, on-farm food safety, and a farm-to-school case study from Papa Weaver’s Pork

· Discover creative, student-friendly ideas for school salad bars during a cooking demonstration by Refresh Kitchen

Participants will also enjoy a locally inspired grain bowl meal thanks to a generous sponsorship from Culpeper Farm Bureau.

Date & Time: April 29, 9:30 AM – 1:15 PM Location: Carver Food Enterprise Center, 9432 N. James Madison Hwy, Rapidan, VA 22733 Register here: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7aH1O38ClswAtqS

We hope you can join us for this exciting opportunity to connect with peers and gain practical tools to strengthen your Farm to School programs!

Best regards,

02/19/2026

The 2026 Blueberry School and Field Day will be held March 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., at Keezletown Ruritan Hall located at 1118 Indian Trail Road, Keezletown, VA 22832. Participants will receive education on Blueberry growing practices and a hands-on pruning demonstration.

Register to attend at https://register.ext.vt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=4195777

* Registration Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026 end of business.
* Cost: $15.00 per person (Lunch will be provided. Please advise of any diet restrictions or food allergies at checkout.)
* Payment Methods: Credit Cards or Checks**
- This system is designed to process online credit card payments only.
- If you wish to pay by check, call Jason Cooper at 540/564-3080 to register by other methods.
* Refund Policy: No refunds will be given for this program.
* Questions About the Program: Please contact Jason Cooper at [email protected] or call 540/564-3080.

10/15/2025

We wanted to share some upcoming producer events for folks to consider. Please see the flyers below for contact and registration information. The first event flyer is for strawberry production, and the second flyer highlights a fruit and orchard meeting, as well as a viticulture meeting.

10/14/2025

We are hosting a remote Grower Training for Virginians (and our TN friends) costing $100 dollars using the discount code “Hometown”.

November 11 and 12 from 1-5 pm ET each day (full 8h course).

https://register.ext.vt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=1344657&selectedProgramAreaId=25579&selectedProgramStreamId=

07/16/2025

Are you a new farmer ready to take your operation to the next level? Consider applying for our second round of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Certification Program!

What You’ll Gain:

Practical training in whole farm planning, agribusiness production, financial management, and marketing strategies
A strong peer network and expert one-on-one support
Access to in-person and virtual programming and resources
A certificate of completion
Eligibility

2+ years of operating your own farm business
Actively pursuing farming as a profession
Commitment to growing your farm business
Within your first 10 years of farm operation
Based in VA, NC, or MD Eastern Shore
Key Dates

📌 Applications Open: July 14, 2025

📌 Apply By: August 18, 2025 at 5 PM EST

📌 Selections Announced: September 22, 2025

📌 Program Begins: October 2025

📌 Kickoff Meeting: Oct 15, 2025, in Norfolk (prior to VSU Small Farmers Conference)

Program Fee: $50 (scholarships available)

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/BeginningFarmerCert

07/10/2025

On June 17th, we had a Franklin County Tour for Region 6 of the Farm to School Network. We visited the Foothills Produce Auction, Four Oaks Farm, and Homestead Creamery.

School nutrition professionals, extension agents, and VDOE farm to school folks learned how the auction can be used for purchasing fresh vegetable and fruits, as well as hydroponically grown greens and herbs. The creamery discussed bulk milk they offer in schools.

Thank you so much to our hosts: Sydney from FPA, Jerry and Joyce Conner, Four Oaks Farm LLC, Erin Saacke from Homestead Creamery, and Carol Haynes and Andre Pusey, our Region 6 co-leads!

07/10/2025

We had a wonderful Region 6 Farm to School event on June 26th in Charlotte County! Lots of great connections, learning opportunities, and a fantastic lunch!! Thanks to all who attended and contributed to make the event so successful! And a special shout out to Joanne Jones and Bruce Jones, region 8 co-leads!

The tour highlighted Goldman Farms and the Southside Virginia Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association aggregation facility, followed by a panel discussion, vendor booths, and a farm to table lunch.

To learn more about Virginia Farm to School visit https://www.doe.virginia.gov/programs-services/school-operations-support-services/school-nutrition/programs-promotions-and-initiatives/virginia-farm-to-school and join the Virginia Farm to School Network!

06/19/2025

06/19/2025

** LOCATION CHANGE****
Registration/ Networking will begin at the Charlotte County Extension Office: 133 LeGrande Avenue Charlotte Court House, VA 23923.