September is FARM EDUCATION MONTH at ASD! All month long, we will be sharing shorter versions of our Risky Business Webinar Series to accommodate our busy farmers! And the best part? If you watch at least 5 videos and participate in the survey linked below, you will be entered into a drawing for a door prize! The final day to participate in October 6th.
Farmer Resources
| Virginia Tech Farmer Safety Resources | For more farm safety tips and information of specific equipment, visit Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coalition Program website | |
| Organic Certification Information | For more information about organic certification, visit USDA’s Website | |
| 2020-2021 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations | For more information about insect control, visit Virginia Cooperative Extension’s website | |
| UK Integrated Pest Management Info | For more information on plant diseases visit the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture’s Vegetable IPM web page | |
| USDA Service Center Locator | USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies. This web site will provide the address of a USDA Service Center and other Agency offices serving your area along with information on how to contact them. | |
| RMA Insurance Agent Locator | The RMA Agent Locator page provides information about insurance agents. All data is provided by approved insurance providers operating under a reinsurance agreement with RMA. | |
| VA Cooperative Extension Office Locator |
“Extension brings information, education, and knowledge to you — wherever you live in the commonwealth. Follow the links below to your local office, or visit a 4-H Educational Center or Agricultural Research and Extension Center from the links on the right. If you’re not sure which office serves your area, use our search at the top of the page.” |
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| WFRP Premium Estimator | The Cost Estimator only provides a general premium estimate. Refer to your crop insurance agent and policy for specific information regarding insurance coverage, actuarial information, conditions and exclusions. | |
| National Water Quality Initiative | NRCS is offering financial and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners interested in improving water quality and aquatic habitats in three priority watersheds with impaired streams. | |
| Longleaf Pine Initiative | Virginia is one of nine states receiving NRCS funding to help private landowners restore and manage longleaf pine in FY 2016. | |
| On Farm Energy Initiative | The 2014 Farm Bill re-authorized the use the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to address energy conservation on agricultural operations. For FY16, the EQIP Energy Initiative is designed to assist producers with the development of Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMPs), also known as an on-farm energy audits. | |
| Organic Initiative | The Organic Initiative provides financial assistance to help organic producers plan and implement a broad set of conservation practices to address resource concerns and support the environmental sustainability of their operations. | |
| Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative | The High Tunnel System (practice code 325) is a new conservation practice released in March 2015 to replace the previous Seasonal High Tunnel System for Crops (practice code 798). The purpose of the High Tunnel System conservation practice is to assist producers to extend the growing season in an environmentally safe manner. The practice has the potential to assist producers to improve plant health and vigor. | |
| Virginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation | |
Risky Business Full Length Webinars
Appalachian Sustainable Development is offering a series of webinars for produce farms in central Appalachia and beyond. These webinars will present foundational concepts in a number of topics and point farmers to reliable resources to learn more and implement practices on the farm. Webinars will be held from 6 PM to 7 PM on the scheduled day. Interested in the series or finding other ways to work with us? Take the survey below!
CLICK HERE: Organic Crop Certification 101 will present the basics of organic certification for crops with a specific focus on produce. We will introduce participants to some of the best resources for additional information and study.
Please complete this short survey following the video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XGDP2SM
CLICK HERE – Introduction to Produce Food Safety: Good Agriculture Certification (GAP) Certifications & Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule (FSMA) will present the basics of produce food safety. We will introduce participants to GAP & FSMA and talk about when and where each might apply to a produce operation.
This webinar does NOT qualify as a supervisor training course as outlined in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule § 112.22(c).
Please complete this short survey following the video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X3SXSVC
CLICK HERE – Feeding the Crop: Soil Health and Crop Fertility for Produce will present the basics of fertility management for crops with a specific focus on produce. We will introduce participants to some of the best resources for additional information and study.
Please complete this survey following the video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P6TXTMS
CLICK HERE – Produce Irrigation and Water Management will present the basics of water use and irrigation in relationship to vegetable production. We will introduce participants to some of the best resources for additional information and study.
Please complete this survey following the video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PZ6KVKQ
CLICK HERE – Business Planning: Not Just Paper and Spreadsheets will present the basics of business planning with a specific focus on produce growers. Producers will learn why business planning should be the cornerstone of their operation and where to begin. Participants will be introduced to some of the best resources for implementation, additional information and study.
Please complete this survey following this video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P5F9GGK
CLICK HERE – Are you a small farmer who has questions about crop insurance? Join Appalachian Sustainable Development on Tuesday, January 29 at 6pm EST as Myrisa Christy, Project Director for the KY Center for Ag & Rural Development, delivers a webinar presenting the basics of USDA Crop Insurance for small vegetable producers and how it may work for your farm.
Please complete this survey following this video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6KD8F5T
CLICK HERE – Weed Management 101 will present the basics of weed management in vegetable crops. We will examine both organic and conventional control methods and strategies. We will introduce participants to some of the best resources for additional information and study.
Please complete this survey following the video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6KB9W8D
CLICK HERE – Weeds can pose a problem by reducing the efficiency of water delivery, drainage and pest management systems. For farmers to have greater success, weed control involves a large portion of the effort required to produce a crop. Weeds also interfere with harvest operations making them less efficient. Learn more from our webinar series about this important topic.
Please complete this survey following the video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XSD6ZW3
CLICK HERE – This unit will cover basic classification and proper identification and management, why there is the existence of insects, learn the basic form and structure and metamorphosis of insects, and compare and contrast injury due to insect feeding and the benefit and value of insects.
Please complete this survey following the video: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y97PNZJ
CLICK HERE – Insect Pest Management 101 will present the basics of insect pest management in vegetable crops. We will examine both organic and conventional control methods and strategies. We will introduce participants to some of the best resources for additional information and study.
Please complete this survey following the video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6YH2QBK
CLICK HERE – Plant Disease Management 101 will present the basics of insect pest management in vegetable crops. We will examine both organic and conventional control methods and strategies. We will introduce participants to some of the best resources for additional information and study.
Please complete this survey following the video! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6LNMJZL