Virginia Cooperative Extension (Official)

We had a great time last weekend at Cattle and Equipment WISE! WISE stands for Women Increasing Skills and Education, and these programs achieves just that by empowering women in agriculture through hands-on experiences. From cattle and dairy education to mastering equipment skills like tractor operation and fencing, participants gained valuable knowledge and confidence. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a success!

The Master Financial Education Volunteer program helps build financial capabilities through research-based financial education. Volunteer instructors educate participants on getting out of debt, budgeting, preventing identity theft, and more. Congratulations to the twenty newest Master Financial Education Volunteers who completed their certification earlier this fall! Read more ⤵️

Since 2021, the Hanover Master Gardener volunteers have been reducing food waste on local farms while supporting food security in their community. “It’s not just gleaning,” said Hanover Extension Agent Scot Ferguson. “It’s much more than just picking the fruit and giving it away. It’s really about strengthening the resiliency of our food system, creating access, developing educational components, and building relationships in our community to create a fundamental program.” Read more about the great work this team is accomplishing ⤵️

Though Hurricane Helene's floodwaters have receded, the recovery for Virginia farmers will last for months and even years. As of Oct. 17, 3,672 farms in 21 Virginia counties and cities are facing almost $160 million in losses – including crops, livestock, fencing, equipment, buildings, timber, and hay and feed to sustain their animals through the winter. From the onset of the storm, Extension agents have led community and statewide efforts to help farms recover and rebuild – conducting damage assessments, marshaling vitally needed resources, and preserving agriculture as a key driver of Virginia's economy. “We have a long journey forward, but it’s going to be our honor to do everything we can to support our communities,” said Mike Gutter, director of Virginia Cooperative Extension and associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech. “Neighbors helping neighbors is what Extension has done for over 100 years.” Read more about how #VCE is helping Virginia recover ⤵️

As America’s senior population grows, barriers to accessing healthy foods remain. To address this, our Family Nutrition Program has created the Healthy Eating and Staying Active as We Age curriculum. Learn more ⤵️

We will be accepting hay donations for farmers impacted by Helene at multiple locations throughout Southwest Virginia on Saturday, October 19th! Interested in donating? Please complete the following form: https://lnkd.in/e5VedmNn

October is here, and it brings the end of the planting season with it. Get these last few vegetables planted soon! 🎃🍂 Direct Sowing: Zones 6A & 6B: No recommendations Zone 7A: Beginning of the month: Spinach Zone 7B: Beginning of the month: Mustard, Radish. All month: Baby Salad Lettuce, Spinach Zone 8A: Baby Salad Lettuce, Mustard, Radish, Spinach Zone 8B Direct Sowing Recommendations are not available at this time. We are working to update our resources! Transplanting: Zones 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B: No recommendations Zone 8A: Beginning of the month: Head Lettuce Zone 8B Transplanting Recommendations are not available at this time. We are working to update our resources! You can prepare for the spring planting season by visiting https://brnw.ch/plantguide - keep in mind that this resource has not been updated to reflect the new hardiness zones. To determine your USDA zone, you can enter your zip code here: https://lnkd.in/dWPx79Pv

“The generosity of Virginians, those in the agricultural community, and neighbors helping neighbors has been outstanding,” said Dan Goerlich, Extension's associate director for economy, community, and food and coordinator of Extension's emergency response efforts. Learn more ⤵️

After I sat on our morning discussion for our response to Helene, I continue to be in awe of how people who have lost so much are helping others. It is remining me of my grandmother who always showed me that no matter how little she had she was richer when she helped others… As I hear from Danny Peek about our local unit faculty going beyond what an Extension Agent is asked to do and the tireless efforts of a phrase that Danny Peek said echoes in my mind, "Neighbors Helping Neighbors." Our Extension faculty are your neighbors, your wins are theirs and your troubles are often theirs too. They are there dealing with their own challenges and doing all they can to help those in their communities and helping with damage assessment. I often ask them why they do what they do when i see them, I get some great answers, but seeing how they respond in this crisis I am reminded that they do it because they care and are called to a career of helping others. I could not be more proud of them and to be Virginia Cooperative Extension (Official)

Have you been impacted by Hurricane Helene? We have resources available for Virginians in the aftermath of the storm. Learn more ⤵️