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If you missed the last maple syrup workshop, you're in luck! The Southwest Virginia Tree Syrup School is hosting a tour of South Fork Farm near Pound, VA at 3 PM Friday Nov. 22. Following the tour is a pancake supper. On Saturday Nov. 23 from 9am to 5pm the workshop will be held at Oxbow Center, St. Paul, Virginia. There will be educational
sessions for both beginning and experienced maple producers, including sessions on backyard tapping and syrup making, business expansion and sugar house requirements. For more information, please contact Phil Meeks, Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Virginia Cooperative Extension, P. O. Box 1156, Wise, Virginia 24293 Phone: (276) 328-6194 Email: pmeeks@vt.edu
Interested in learning about tapping walnut trees? How about setting up a tubing system on a maple stand? Contact Adam Taylor about the Tree Sap and Syrup Production Workshop on Nov. 16th and 17th at the Catawba Sustainability Center in western VA. (540) 588-0283 Email: adamht@vt.edu
I have 7 acres of forested wetlands at 9850 Staples mill rd. Glen Allen 23060 for scientific research.972 635 6909.Bo Abbott
Coming up soon on November 16th and 17th - The Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center will host a field-based workshop focused on the needs of new and existing tree sap and syrup producers. Sessions will include tapping Black Walnut, hands-on workshop establishing tubing systems on a nearby maple stand, tour of local maple syrup operation, and working session on evaporator operation. A special session on marketing through farmers markets and other outlets will also be included. Please contact Adam Taylor, Manager, Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center, 5075 Catawba Creek Rd., Catawba, VA 24070 Phone: (540) 588-0283 Email: adamht@vt.edu
Will Lewis
What's New on the Farm? Explore innovative farming opportunities in livestock, medicinal herbs, food products, and hemp. You will come away from this event with the knowledge you need to take your farm in exciting new directions. Interested in the Skill Swap?
End the year by gathering with other curious folks to learn some new hands on skills! Roll up your sleeves and come learn a new way to practice a traditional skill. Whether it's creative farming, home remedies, machinery, or nature and self-care that gets you fired up, the Skill Swap has a hands-on class for you. There are 16 sessions to choose from, and one ticket registers you for four different community-building workshops.
This forum has a little something for everyone - livestock, medicinal herbs, and more. The skill swap offers a choice of 16 sessions that are sure to leave you excited try something new on your farm.
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Membership Benefits
Training and Support
Hands-on workshops on all aspects of operations: choosing and preparing a site, management planning, organic production and certification, forest grown verification, best handling and processing practices, value added production techniques, forest farming business planning and record keeping. Unique opportunities to see value-added facilities and productive forest farms.
Valuable Resources
This Coalition clearinghouse website houses a wide array of online and video resources for forest farmers on diverse topics from industry basics to cultivation to value added production and beyond. The coalition will also help link members to free and reduced rate seed distribution programs and house an equipment share forum to assist growers in accessing tools for harvest and processing. Bi-annual Appalachian Forest Farmer Chronicle.
Connecting Growers
Forest farmer and industry stakeholder meetings will offer opportunities for growers to connect with buyers, organic certifiers, representatives from verification and other labeling programs.
Technical Assistance
Forest farmer to forest farmer mentorship program. Access to university extension and other agency personnel for FAQs and assistance with site and habitat management planning.