Virginia Cooperative Extension - Loudoun

10/05/2023

VCE Loudoun 4-H's work extends beyond our clubs. Each year we host youth at our Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp. This is a great opportunity for our Camp Counselors to develop leadership and for our campers to explore new things and have some fun.

We invite you to save the dates for next year's camp! June 30-July 4, 2024.

Be on the lookout for Counselor Applications to open up in December 2023, and Camper Applications to open up in March 2024!

To learn more about Loudoun-Fauquier Junior Camp, visit https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/2021-4-h-camp/home

We will update the site as we amp up for registration.

10/05/2023

As fall settles in and Halloween draws nearer, we are using this month's VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners virtual lecture to envision how cemeteries can also serve as gardens. Tonight, join Master Gardener Maria Stewart as we explore the different functions of cemeteries, spanning from a resting place for the dead, a welcoming space for the grieving, and a habitat for plants.

Learn more at bit.ly/44RnY4P and log in at tinyurl.com/3nu92bwc.

Cemeteries serve many functions. They welcome the dead and grieving, but they also can be garden refuges full of life, offering habitat for plants and animals. Join Master Gardener Maria Stewart and VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners for this insightful talk on Thursday, October 5 at 7:00pm. Learn more at bit.ly/44RnY4P, and sign up for event announcements at bit.ly/45W9KkQ

10/04/2023

Our VCE Loudoun 4-H All Stars are Rock Stars! Glad to see them recognized by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors during National 4-H Week.

Congrats to VCE Loudoun's 4-H All Stars, Emily, Alisa, Mary Grace, Alexis, and Eden!🎉🍀 Supervisor Caleb Kershner put forth a resolution to recognize the accomplishments of these 4-Hers, and the resolution was approved last night at the Board of Supervisors Meeting.

Membership in 4-H All Stars is the highest recognition that a Virginia 4-H’er can achieve. The 4-H All Star application requires that members demonstrate how they have achieved the four-fold development of head, heart, hands, and health. Applicants undergo a rigorous process that involves documenting their 4-H and community work throughout their 4-H career.

These All Stars are Rock Stars! This National 4-H Week, we're proud to celebrate their accomplishments.

10/04/2023

Do you want to make and sell food in Virginia? You might be interested in the Current Good Manufacturing Practices and Sanitation Workshop offered by the Carver Food Enterprise Center in Rapidan, VA on October 5th and 6th.

For $150, you can receive training from Virginia Tech Department of Food Science and Technology faculty and attain two certifications – Current Good Manufacturing Practices Certification and Sanitation Certification. Both of these certifications are aimed at those making and selling food in Virginia and will help food businesses comply with Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulations.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3Ep56PP

Act soon! Early Bird Registration closes on September 8th for the Current Good Manufacturing Practices and Sanitation Workshop. This workshop offered by the Carver Food Enterprise Center in Rapidan, VA on October 5th and 6th.

For $75, you can receive training from Virginia Tech Department of Food Science and Technology faculty and attain two certifications – Current Good Manufacturing Practices Certification and Sanitation Certification. Both of these certifications are aimed at those making and selling food in Virginia and will help food businesses comply with Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulations.

The early bird cost for this program is $75 which includes lunch both days. So don’t delay and sign up by September 8th. After that, the cost for this workshop will increase to $150.

You can register here: https://bit.ly/3Ep56PP

10/03/2023

Interested in creating value added production by fermenting dairy foods? Virginia Cooperative Extension is offering a virtual Fermentation Training on October 26 @ 10:00 a.m. Please register for that webinar using this link: bit.ly/3ZDPXnR

The purpose of this webinar is to cover aspects of fermented dairy foods. Specifically, the webinar will address:
1) The science supporting dairy fermentation
2) Methods of preparing some fermented dairy foods
3) Considerations when preparing fermented dairy foods for retail sale

Additionally, a portion of this webinar will be dedicated to open discussion to identify if/how fermented dairy foods can be incorporated into home food preservation programming.

The purpose of this webinar is to cover aspects of fermented dairy foods. Specifically, the webinar will address: 1) The science supporting dairy fermentation 2) Methods of preparing some fermented dairy foods 3) Considerations when preparing fermented dairy foods for sale Additionally, a portion of...

10/03/2023

Congrats to VCE Loudoun 4-H's Pranav Kalidindi and Kashvi Ramani for being selected as finalists for the National 4-H 2024 Youth in Action Award! 🎉🍀 They are among the 12 finalists selected from applicants across the nation. bit.ly/48zeRZQ

Pranav Kalidindi is being recognized for his commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) innovation and sparking change in his community. Kashvi Ramani is being recognized for her efforts to build a diverse and inclusive world through tools of self-expression.

10/02/2023

Are you interested in joining VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners? 🌳🌱🪴💦 Now is your chance! Apply online at: bit.ly/47fGDtz

Our mission is to educate Loudoun County residents about safe, effective and sustainable landscape management practices. Master Gardeners are volunteers who have received extensive training under the auspices of Virginia Tech and the VCE Loudoun office to provide unbiased research-based horticultural information to the community.

We serve the community through Help Desk Support, Garden Clinics, Demonstration Garden, Speaking Engagements and special events like our Annual Symposium.

10/02/2023

It's National 4-H Week! During National 4-H Week, October 1-7, 2023, we will shine a spotlight on VCE Loudoun 4-H, our programs, and our youth. Our dedicated members and volunteers, with their hands-on projects and commitment to making a difference, embody the 4-H spirit of 'learning by doing' and ‘making the best better’.

From agricultural endeavors to STEM initiatives, these passionate youth are developing critical life skills, fostering leadership qualities, and giving back to their community. Join us in celebrating VCE Loudoun 4-H and the positive impact it's creating during National 4-H Week.

You can learn more about our programs at: http://loudoun4h.weebly.com/

09/29/2023

Beyond belonging to a 4-H club, there are many ways for Loudoun County youth to grow in leadership and service. One such example is the VCE Loudoun 4-H Honor Council, a small group of teens who are selected annually for their demonstrated leadership skills. They organize service projects, promote 4-H in the community, and serve as role models for younger 4-H members.

Interested in learning more about VCE Loudoun 4-H's opportunities for youth? Visit loudoun4h.weebly.com/

09/27/2023

This , we want to highlight our Well Water Testing Program. VCE Loudoun is offering reduced cost water testing for wells, cisterns and springs, and registration is open! Register at bit.ly/VCE231016.

For $65, you can have the peace of mind of knowing what's in your water. A comparable analysis at a private commercial lab would cost more than $300. We test 14 water-quality parameters, including iron, lead, pH, hardness, and total coliform bacteria & E. coli bacteria.

You can learn more about this program at loudoun.gov/watertesting,

09/26/2023

This , we invite goat producers to help us produce better tips! Virginia Cooperative Extension invites goat producers to take a survey about their perspectives and experiences with marketing. https://bit.ly/46hWTZU

The aim of this study is to help you and other meat goat producers from the Southeast overcome challenges in marketing goats and goat products. Based on the survey results, strategies will be developed and used to educate goat producers to overcome the marketing challenges.

This a collaborative effort across many states. Goat experts from seven land-grant universities (Langston, Tuskegee, Virginia State, Tennessee, Fort Valley State, Florida A&M, Prairie View A&M) from the southeast USA are working together to promote the sustainable goat industry in this region.

09/25/2023

The VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners' Annual Gardening Symposium is less than three weeks away! We'll host this event at the Academies of Loudoun on Saturday, October 14 at 9:00a.m.

We look forward to learning and socializing with you at the Symposium! Come and join us! Register online at: bit.ly/3QR4eLp

We're excited to welcome guest speakers Bryce Lane (Understanding Garden Soils), Ian Caton (Textures: Ferns and Grasses), Madeline Potter (Insects and Sustainable Horticulture), and Peggy Riccio (Culinary Herbs).

09/25/2023

Interested in hosting Loudoun County Public Schools juniors and seniors for a 'job for a day' at your local business? LCPS is looking for businesses to partner with so students can shadow and learn more about career opportunities. Fill out the interest survey by October 13: https://bit.ly/3t3fRoJ

Participate in Job for a Day! 📝 The Loudoun School Business Partnership Executive Council (SBP) is excited about this fall’s annual career shadowing event, “Job For a Day” on November 6, 2023. The format continues to be SIMPLE: businesses get to pick the number of Loudoun County Public Schools 11th and 12th-grade students they would like to host for the school day, and students/families provide transportation and permission, with the goal being for students to get an introductory and general experience to an industry, company, occupation, or overall career field.

Please complete the 2023 Job For a Day interest form, which is the first step in the sign-up process and provides an opportunity to refer two or three other businesses to participate. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnNPo5mEBXt1sc3b1YitWVF8VCmOkFpRJGjXQA7XDlIXV8oQ/viewform

Job For a Day contact: Grant Schafer at LCPS. (571) 291-1956. [email protected]

09/22/2023

More pictures from last month's Flower Grower Meeting at Sweet Piedmont!

There are more opportunities for regional farmers to learn and network. On Wednesday, October 4, from 5:00pm - 7:00pm, VCE Loudoun, in collaboration with Virginia Cooperative Extension- Rappahannock Office, will offer a Twilight Growers Meeting at Yankey Farms. We'll focus discussion on pumpkin and strawberry production. If you're interested in joining, register online at bit.ly/3rHCiPs

09/22/2023

VCE Loudoun is offering reduced cost water testing for wells, cisterns and springs! For $65, you can have the peace of mind of knowing what's in your water. A comparable analysis at a private commercial lab would cost more than $300. We test 14 water-quality parameters, including iron, lead, pH, hardness, and total coliform bacteria & E. coli bacteria.

Registration is open! We offer this program twice a year and we routinely sell out of kits, so make sure you don’t miss this opportunity. Learn more at http://www.loudoun.gov/watertesting, and register at bit.ly/VCE231016.

09/21/2023

What can you do to make the most of your yard clippings? Between 'grasscycling', mulching, composting, and other forms of reuse - you have options!

The most unappreciated problem with off-site clipping disposal is that potentially valuable commodities, plant organic matter and the nutrients derived from it, are being discarded. When clippings are continually removed from a lawn, natural nutrient cycling is partially reduced.

Read more: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-402/430-402.html

Have you heard of mowing to recycle grass clippings? Let the clips fall where they may to keep valuable nutrients in your lawn.

Read more! ⬇️
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-402/430-402.html

09/20/2023

School gardens and farms are where food comes to life for many students. On October 3, 2023 at 2pm, learn how being involved in the growing process not only heightens students' interest in nutrition but can also bring in garden-based lessons in math, science and many other SOL subjects. Sign up at bit.ly/3ZnjySh

This webinar is part of Virginia Cooperative Extension's Virginia Farm to School Toolkit Webinar Series. To learn more, visit bit.ly/3EMAqZ6

09/20/2023

Last week, Commercial Horticulturalist Beth Sastre trained students at Academies of Loudoun on the Spotted Lanternfly, including identification and pest management. There was even the opportunity to dissect a spotted lanternfly!

09/19/2023

Recently, we've been receiving questions from the public about pasture management and w**d control. This publication discusses w**d management tactics and herbicide application techniques to control grassy w**ds. Additionally, highlights management of Johnsongrass, Japanese stiltgrass, broomsedge, and foxtail species. https://bit.ly/45WEUbH

Note that while this publication focuses on w**d management, maintaining optimal soil fertility and practicing proper grazing and haying management are vitally important. Herbicides alone cannot provide a substitute for proper management. A healthy, vigorous stand of desirable grasses is the best w**d management tool. Optimizing soil fertility begins with taking routine soil tests, which you can pick up at our office (750 Miller Dr. SE, Suite 161, Leesburg), and following the recommendations provided. Maintaining optimum soil pH increases nutrient availability.

Photo of 'W**d wiper applicator' by Lucas Rector.

09/19/2023

🎉Congratulations to Commercial Horticulturalist Beth Sastre, Master Gardener Coordinator Barbara Bailey, and our collaborators at Loudoun County Public Affairs & Communications! 🎉Loudoun County's Spotted Lanternfly Educational Campaign was recognized with a Platinum EMPACT Loudoun Award, which is the highest level of award presented by the County Administrator.

Since the campaign started, public awareness of the impact of the spotted lanternfly has risen, and over 550 reports of spotted lanternfly sightings have been made. You can find educational resources and report spotted lanternfly sightings at loudoun.gov/spottedlanternfly.

Recipients of the Platinum EMPACT Loudoun Award are honored for making an extraordinary contribution in the area of public service, operations, or organizational impact, and their commitment to the highest level of work results in a tremendous and sustained impact and benefit to the organization and the citizens of Loudoun County. Way to go!

09/19/2023

Last week, Woodside Pawpaw held their official ribbon cutting! Loudoun County Economic Development's Chris Blosser and our own Beth Sastre joined Farmer Mike Ferster and family to celebrate!

Last week, Woodside Pawpaw held their official ribbon cutting. Loudoun DED's Chris Blosser and Virginia Cooperative Extension - Loudoun's Beth Sastre joined Farmer Mike Ferster and family to celebrate!

Fun Fact: Farmer Mike came to Loudoun with his family after moving from Washington DC when he was only two years old. The thing that sealed the deal for their move to Loudoun: their participation in the Loudoun County Farm Tour! Farmer Mike hopes to participate in an upcoming Loudoun Farm Tour but until then, he will be attending farmers markets and other events to sell pawpaw plants and other goods.

09/18/2023

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener? VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners are hosting an information meeting this Thursday at 7 p.m. Learn more about who we are, what we do, and how to apply.

You can sign up for the virtual information meeting at bit.ly/VCE-MG-INFO

Are you interested in becoming a VCE Loudoun Master Gardener? 🌳🌱🪴💦 We're hosting an information meeting virtually on September 21 at 7pm so you can learn more about how VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners make an impact in our communities. We will also go over the commitment required and the application process.

The application portal will go live the next day, September 22. Learn more about becoming a VCE Loudoun Master Gardener at bit.ly/47fGDtz, and sign up for the virtual information meeting at bit.ly/VCE-MG-INFO

09/15/2023

Save the date! VCE Loudoun 4-H will welcome youth ages 9-14 for the best week of the summer, Sunday, June 30 - Thursday, July 4, 2024. Registration for Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp will open next year.

09/14/2023

Cemeteries serve many functions. They welcome the dead and grieving, but they also can be garden refuges full of life, offering habitat for plants and animals. Join Master Gardener Maria Stewart and VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners for this insightful talk on Thursday, October 5 at 7:00pm. Learn more at bit.ly/44RnY4P, and sign up for event announcements at bit.ly/45W9KkQ

09/14/2023

It's ! And what better way to muse on gardening than by reading the fall edition of the VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners Trumpet Vine Newsletter. Check it out! bit.ly/3LoG07A

- Join VCE Loudoun's Master Gardener 2024 Training Class
- Preserving Summer
- Five Favorite Fall-Blooming Native Perennials
- Sassafras: The All but Forgotten Tree
- Gardening in a Warming Climate
- How You Can Help Beautiful, Bodacious, Busy Bumble Bees!
- Goldenrod for your Garden
- Snapping Turtles in our Backyard
- Sharing your Backyard with Wildlife (Creating a Humane Habitat)
- Velvet Ants, Eastern Velvet Ants, Cow Killer Ants
- From Garden to Soup in Sourdough September

Extra! Extra! Read all about it........ The Fall Edition of the Trumpet Vine is available and includes articles aimed at fall flowers and the environment. From drying flowers and herbs to the best fall pollinator plants, bumblebees to snapping turtles and wasps, you’ll find something interesting. The final article will send you straight to the kitchen.http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fall-2023-Trumpet-Vine.pdf

09/13/2023

It's great to get outside! Last Monday, VCE Loudoun partnered with Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District, Northern Virginia Wholesale Growers, and Loudoun County Government Family Services' Fatherhood Engagement Services to offer a field day for dads and their kids to get their hands dirty while learning about soil health and conservation. There are multiple ways to support well-being, and fostering healthy families is one of them. Thanks to everyone who worked to put on this event!

09/13/2023

It's almost time for fall's Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training! From beginners to experienced growers, everyone can benefit from taking the time to think about food safety on their farm. Learn about best practices and regulatory requirements as noted by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. Participants will receive the AFDO Certificate and training manual.

September 26 & 27, 1pm - 5pm, virtual event.

Register online at bit.ly/465fesS by September 15.
It's almost time for fall's Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training! From beginners to experienced growers, everyone can benefit from taking the time to think about food safety on their farm. Learn about best practices and regulatory requirements as noted by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. Participants will receive the AFDO Certificate and training manual.

September 26 & 27, 1pm - 5pm, virtual event.

Register online at bit.ly/465fesS by September 15.

09/12/2023

With summer waning, are you reconsidering your summer forage production? Here's one farmer's story of how he converted pastures to native warm season grasses. https://bit.ly/44TULpY

A farmer's experience of converting a tall fescue field into native warm season grasses for improved forage production in the summertime.

09/11/2023

Each month, VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners welcome a guest lecturer to share their horticultural expertise. Whether it's planning your fall garden or choosing the right tree for the right place, we converse with experts to help inspire you as you explore gardening and horticulture.

Our next lecture will be "Cemetaries as Gardens" with Master Gardener Maria Stewart on Thursday, October 5.

Our partners at Loudoun County Public Library have recorded these lectures. If you missed one and want to learn more, you can find recordings at: https://bit.ly/3qgh2Ae

09/11/2023

Last Saturday, VCE Loudoun's Beth Sastre joined the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association and VCE Northern Shenandoah Valley Agriculture and Natural Resources for a morning workshop.

09/08/2023

Interested in learning more about VCE Loudoun 4-H programs? Let's chat about the Temple Hall 4H Club - Non-Ownership Sheep.

Temple Hall 4-H Club provides an opportunity for youth to learn about agriculture and gain long-lasting skills such as leadership, responsibility, community service, and public speaking. 4-Hers learn about different aspects of caring for livestock, including: nutrition, lambing preparation and care, stall cleaning and maintenance, wool processing and products, business aspects of producing, and more! We have wonderful volunteer farmers who work with members on a regular basis.

By June 1, members choose a project animal to work with in preparation for the Loudoun County Fair held in July. Our members participate in the Showmanship Show and the Temple Hall Breed Show. They also work on a project book to document their experiences.

Interested in joining the Temple Hall 4-H club, or any of our other 15+ clubs? Registration opens October 1. Learn more, including who to contact, at bit.ly/3styemo

09/07/2023

Join VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners tonight! Learn how you can invite a diversity of birds to your garden by planting beautiful native plants that provide both food and habitat. Event URL: tinyurl.com/3mmmfckz (Password: LCPL)

Eileen Boyle, former Director of Conservation & Research at Mt. Cuba Center, will help us learn which trees and shrubs are the best for our local feathered friends. She will discuss how we can create a lovely, dynamic year-round bird oasis in our backyards.

Learn more at: bit.ly/3OUdUTV.

09/06/2023

Act soon! Early Bird Registration closes on September 8th for the Current Good Manufacturing Practices and Sanitation Workshop. This workshop offered by the Carver Food Enterprise Center in Rapidan, VA on October 5th and 6th.

For $75, you can receive training from Virginia Tech Department of Food Science and Technology faculty and attain two certifications – Current Good Manufacturing Practices Certification and Sanitation Certification. Both of these certifications are aimed at those making and selling food in Virginia and will help food businesses comply with Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulations.

The early bird cost for this program is $75 which includes lunch both days. So don’t delay and sign up by September 8th. After that, the cost for this workshop will increase to $150.

You can register here: https://bit.ly/3Ep56PP

09/05/2023

It's not too late to get your garden started! Here are some vegetables to plant in the fall.

Here's what you can plant in September across Virginia.

For more information check out our full planting guide here⬇️
https://bit.ly/SPES-170P

09/05/2023

The Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry invites you to join for a free event for beginning farmers on September 12, 2023 from 9:00 am - 2:15 pm in Culpeper, VA. This event will cover topics for farm financing options and cost share conservation opportunities. To register, e-mail [email protected].

09/04/2023

Online registration is open! Sign up to join VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners on Saturday, October 14, 2023 for their 13th annual Gardening Symposium! bit.ly/3QR4eLp

Four expert speakers, Bryce Lane, Ian Caton, Madeline Potter, & Peggy Riccio, will provide inspiration, ideas, and information on garden basics that will appeal to all as we prepare our gardens for the winter and subsequent growing season.

Tickets are $65. Participants have the options to purchase a box lunch or can bring their own lunch.

We look forward to learning and socializing with you at the Academies of Loudoun in Leesburg!

09/01/2023

¡Haz que tu voz se escuche! Estamos llevando a cabo nuestra Evaluación de Necesidades de la Comunidad, ¡queremos escucharte! Esta encuesta nos ayudará a afinar nuestras prioridades y desarrollar programas que aborden de la mejor manera las necesidades de los residentes del Condado de Loudoun. Los resultados de esta encuesta influenciarán la programación de VCE Loudoun durante los próximos cuatro años. Para realizar la evaluación, visita bit.ly/3OTTr0l.

09/01/2023

VCE Loudoun will be closed Monday, September 4th, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 5th. We hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

County government administrative offices will be closed Monday, September 4, 2023, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Stay safe!

09/01/2023

Interested in joining a VCE Loudoun 4-H club? Now is a great time to reach out and get started. Visit our website to learn more about our clubs. When you find one that interests you, send the club leader a message to introduce yourself and learn how you can get involved! Learn more at: bit.ly/3styemo

Club enrollment for this upcoming year begins on October 1. There's something for everyone! VCE Loudoun offers over 15 clubs. While most clubs work with animals (cattle, horses, swine, rabbits, alpacas, and more!), other clubs offer opportunities to develop skills like innovation, cooking, and sewing.

VCE Loudoun 4-H offers unparalleled experiential learning opportunities to youth aged 5-19, fostering leadership, citizenship, and life skills all while having fun. Youth develop an ethos of service, using their heads, hearts, hands, and health to create better selves and a better world.

09/01/2023

Heading out for the weekend? To slow the spread, check your vehicle for hitchhikers before returning back home. Spotted lanternfly love to hide in vehicle wheel wells!

Heading out for the weekend? To slow the spread, check your vehicle for hitchhikers before returning back home. Spotted lanternfly love to hide in vehicle wheel wells!