SWVA Commercial Horticulture Extension

05/29/2026

VCE will be hosting a Virginia Fruit and Berry Grower Freeze Management Meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 from 11:00am to 1:00pm via Zoom. Producers and other interested parties can join with this link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/87036106959

The seminar will include presentations from the Honorable Katie Frazier, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; Ms. Lauren Vaughan, Virginia FSA Acting Farm Program Chief, and; Dr.'s Harner, Samtani, and Sherif addressing vineyard, berry, and tree fruit concerns related to the damaging frost/freeze events of April 2026. The attached program agenda provides additional detail.

05/11/2026

Join us on May 19 for a spring tree fruit meeting and orchard tour at Foggy Ridge Cider - 1328 Pineview Rd, Dugspur, VA 24325 beginning at 11 am! Please RSVP to the Carroll County Extension Office at 276-730-3110.

10/28/2025

Applications are due in a little over a week! Contact Carroll VCE 276-730-3110 for assistance.

Submit your application today for the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant!

Farmers and timber landowners, in designated localities, are encouraged to apply to receive direct financial assistance to aid in Hurricane Helene recovery.

For more information and to apply visit 🔗 https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block.
Virginia Cooperative Extension Virginia Department of Forestry

10/24/2025

Virginia is one of the nation’s top pumpkin producers, harvesting over 4,700 acres valued at $14.7 million last year. 🎃

According to Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist Steve Rideout, the state’s success comes down to cool mountain nights and skilled growers, especially in Southwest Virginia, where higher elevations create ideal growing conditions.

Through research, field days, and grower support, the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the VSU College of Agriculture, and VCE help keep the state’s pumpkin industry strong, supporting farmers from seed to harvest.

Learn more ➡️ https://brnw.ch/vapumpkins

09/02/2025

🎄

08/07/2025

Virginia farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Helene:
Now’s the time to start gathering your documentation for the upcoming Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program application period.

Covered losses include:
🧑‍🌾Damage to farm infrastructure and timber
📉 Lost market opportunities directly caused by the storm
🌲 Loss of perennial crops such as Christmas trees, apple trees, and blueberry bushes

The application period will open in a few weeks. For more information, list of 27 USDA disaster designated localities, to submit questions, and for a complete list of required documentation, please visit 🔗https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml.

Virginia Cooperative Extension
Virginia Department of Forestry
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation

08/05/2025

🧑‍🌾Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program🌲

Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin has announced relief funding available for Virginia farmers & timber owners impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Eligible Recipients:
✔️ Commercial agricultural producers
✔️ Forest landowners

What it covers:
🏚️ Damage to farm infrastructure & timber
Sustained damage to farm infrastructure, timber, aquaculture
📉 Lost market opportunity
Market opportunity lost directly due to the storm and have not received insurance payments or federal relief funding for the lost market opportunity.
🌲 Loss of perennial crops
Sustained losses to perennial crops, such as losses of Christmas trees, apple trees, and blueberry plants, which will result in future income loss.

👉 Learn more and gather your documentation:
🔗 https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml

Virginia Cooperative Extension Virginia Department of Forestry

07/16/2025

Applications are open for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Certification Program!