Upcoming Events

NOV 6-DEC 4: EXPLORING THE SMALL FARM DREAM
Come and learn if starting an agricultural business is right for you at the upcoming course sponsored by the Airlie Center in Warrenton. Exploring the Small Farm Dream will help potential new farmers and agricultural business owners evaluate their farm business dreams and clarify next steps. A combination of creative exercises, class discussions, interviews with farm business innovators, and independent research, this course will connect you with a classroom of motivated individuals seeking to transform farm dreams into action. For more information see the course brochure, email Pablo Elliott or call 540- 347-1300 ext. 3163.

NOV 22: CLARKE COUNTY WINTER FARMERS' MARKET
The Clarke County Winter Farmers’ Market will be open once again for its second winter season. Vendors this year consist of bakers with artisan breads, cakes, cookies, scones, local growers using produce for frozen dinners, soups, prepared meals, meat producers like pork, chicken, lamb & beef, local dairy & local artisans like jams, jellies, fresh salsa and lots more. New for this season: local wines! We are also excited about having locally made gourmet soups prepared by Christine Illich who is also a seasoned instructor at L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, Md. The Clarke County Farmers’ Market is located in the beautiful foothills of the Shenandoah Valley in Berryville, VA off of Church Street next to Dollar General in the town parking lot. Dates are: Nov. 22, Dec. 20, Jan 17, Feb 14, Mar 21 and Apr 18. For more information, contact Sandra Stickovitch at 540-771-0225 or visit the market website.

DEC 8-12: VAPG & REEP GRANT PROGRAM MEETINGS
Attend workshops focused on assisting agriculture producers and small businesses interested in applying for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) and the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program (REEP). The VAPG can pay for up to 50% of eligible project costs while REEP can pay up to 25% of the costs for an agriculture producer or small business to implement renewable energy or energy efficiency improvements. The meetings are hosted by USDA Rural Development in cooperation with Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability. Meetings will take place December 8-12 at various locations. For more information, visit www.vafairs.com or download the announcement.

JAN 31: GROWERS WORKSHOP
The Center for Rural Culture is holding its Fourth Annual Growers Workshop on Saturday, January 31st at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Goochland County. This is a one day workshop that will have both a beginners and an advanced track for vendors who wish to grow produce and provide value-added products for market. Space is limited to 75. There will be panel discussions on CSAs and wholesale marketing opportunities as well as a lecture on business skills/management for more advanced growers. To pre-register, visit the Center for Rural Culture website.