Owners and operators of small farms throughout the state can discover ways to improve soil and animal health and gain information on major funding opportunities at four field days this month.  

The field days will take place in May on privately-owned small farms in Fauquier, Louisa, Franklin and Surry counties. These free events are sponsored by the Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program. 

Attendees will participate in farmer-led tours and demonstrations highlighting conservation best management practices such as nutrient management, cover crops, grazing-land management, continuous no-till and split nitrogen applications. These practices help reduce the cost of inputs and improve farm productivity while also safeguarding Virginia’s stream and river water quality.   

Specialists from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Soil and Water Conservation Districts will be on hand to share information about programs that offer farmers free technical assistance and up to $300,000 per year in cost-share to implement best management practices on their farms. They will also highlight programs and resources available only to small farms. 

Farmers may register for one or more of the following at https://www.ext.vsu.edu/sfop-events: 

• Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m.–noon  
  Joe Gray’s Farm, Remington, Va. 
  For more information, contact Michael Carter Sr. at mcarter@vsu.edu. 
  Lunch will be served. 

• Tuesday, May 16, from 9 a.m.–noon  
  Albert McGee’s Farm, Louisa, Va.  
  For more information, contact Roland Terrell at rterrell@vsu.edu. 

• Wednesday, May 24, from noon–3 p.m.  
  Anthony and Tonja Martin’s Farm, Penhook, Va.  
  For more information, contact Clifford Somerville at csomerville@vsu.edu. 
  Lunch will be served.  

• Thursday, May 25, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 
  Glenn Slade’s Farm, Surry, Va. 
  For more information, contact Derrick Cladd at dcladd@vsu.edu. 
  Lunch will be served.