2013 Growers Academy

The Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center is offering the fourth annual Growers Academy, a series of courses specifically designed to help new and transitioning agricultural businesses succeed. An 8 week learning series focused on low-input crop production and launching your own agri-business. Instructors include resource professionals and farm business owners.
Topics include:

• Planning for Success: Setting Goals and Establishing Targets
• Soils and Composting
• Marketing
• Business Plan Development
• Equipment for Small Farms
• Preventative Pests and Weed Management
• Crop Production and Planning
• Business Plan Review
• Farm Tour on Saturday, March 9

Dates and Location

January 22 – March 12, 2013
Tuesdays, 6-9 pm (no class on February 19)
Virginia Tech Roanoke Center in the Roanoke Higher Education Building at 108 North Jefferson Street

Contact: Josh Nease
Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center, Manager
108 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 701, Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone: 540-553-2311 or jnease@vt.edu



Want to start a farm business but don’t have land?Graduates of the Growers’ Academy are eligible to lease land at a discounted rate at the Catawba Sustainability Center in Catawba, Virginia.

Visit their Blog

Visit their Website

Virginia Ewe Lamb Sale

Virginia Ewe Lamb Sale

Sale purpose: 1.) To provide sheep producers a source of quality replacement ewes with documented genetics, management, and health status; 2) To provide an opportunity for VSPA members to market breeding stock; and 3) To serve as an educational tool in sheep production and management.

The sale will be held in conjunction with the Virginia Performance Ram Lamb Test Sale on Saturday, August 25, 2012.

Open to Virginia breeders and consignors from Viriginia border states. Consignors must be members of, and in good standing with, the VIrginia Sheep Producers Association and the VSPA Seedstock Council. Entry deadline is July 15, with Ewe Delivery on the evening of August 24 and morning of August 25.

For more information, please contact Debbie Cox at 336-593-8179 in Stokes County, NC Extension office.

IT HAPPENED ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

The Cherry Orchard Theatre presents a romantic comedy, IT HAPPENED ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY. Performace dates are August 28, 29, 30 and September 4, 5, 6 and 7. September 7th will be a special Labor Day presentation. All performances begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. No reservations are required. Cherry Orchard Theatre, 163 Levering Lane, Ararat, VA. For information and reservations, call (276) 755-4837, (336) 786-4316, or (during business hours) (276) 755.3593