Podcasts about virginia cooperative extension

In this episode of the podcast, Jeff Ishee chats with Susan Watkins of Watkins Farms in Dinwiddie County Virginia, a 3500 acre farm growing soybeans, corn, and wheat. Susan shares information about the long history of her family far, their transition to cover crops and no till over twenty years ago, and their approach to cover cropping. She shares about the cost and labor savings that have come from transitioning to these practices. Watkins Farms is located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which means conservation practices like no-till planting and the use of cover crops have an impact beyond the soil health of the land itself. Farmers play a key role in improving the water quality in the Bay. You can find more info at: https://farmersforsoilhealth.com/success-stories/seven-generations-of-stewardship-with-susan-watkins/ As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers and follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the Soil Covered -- Cover crops are our friends; 2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible; 3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity and life in the soil; and 4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation and/or livestock integration. Yes, soil health is a great conversation starter because we can all be 4 The Soil and for the future!  To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  

The three-year transition to certified organic farming can present a formidable challenge for farmers. A whole community working together can make the process smoother. In this second episode, Elizabeth "Liz" McMullen and Garland Mason of Organic Valley Cooperative (OV) share how the company and its farm membership nourish a whole community perspective to benefit existing farmer member-owners and reduce obstacles for farmers who are curious about organic production and joining the cooperative as members.  Liz and Garland state that OV regional pool managers can talk with farmers about the certification process, requirements, and specific on-farm organic practices. Liz and Garland also advise reaching out to neighboring OV farmers in your state who have gone through the process.Organic Valley's Rootstock blog provides glimpses into the day-to-day on-farm work routines and the values, practices, and experiences that inform organic farming as a business and build a whole community. To learn more about Organic Valley's commitment to cooperation, sustainability, soil health, and thriving farms and communities, please visit https://www.organicvalley.coop/  As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers and follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the Soil Covered -- Cover crops are our friends; 2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible; 3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity and life in the soil; and 4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation and/or livestock integration. Yes, soil health is a great conversation starter because we can all be 4 The Soil and for the future! To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  

Public Relations Specialist Elizabeth McMullen and Sustainability Funding and Communications Specialist Garland Mason of Organic Valley Cooperative join Mary and Eric to share about the common ties that are essential to the farmer-owned cooperative. Cooperation and a strong commitment to the sustainability of small and mid-size family farms, local culture, and community are the most basic ties. In this episode, Elizabeth and Garland outline the history of Organic Valley and how the business started as a vegetable cooperative in 1988 and now has over 1,500 dairy farmer-member owners in 29 states with an average herd size of 70 cows per farm. Preserving small family farms was an impetus for Organic Valley's start. In carrying that mission forward, Organic Valley assists farmer member-owners to be sustainable and profitable through on-farm practices such as solar, composting, solid and liquid separation of manure, reduced tillage, and nutrition management to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and gas emissions. Most recently, OV farmers have experimented with Agolin Naturu, which is an organic certified enteric feed supplement made of essential oils of coriander, clove, and carrot that results in better fermentation, digestibility, and less burping.To learn more about Organic Valley's commitment to cooperation, sustainability, and soil health, please visit https://www.organicvalley.coop/  The website also provides recipes and a searchable database of Organic Valley farms near you.As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers and follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the Soil Covered -- Cover crops are our friends; 2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible; 3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity and life in the soil; and 4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation and/or livestock integration. Yes, soil health is a great conversation starter because we can all be 4 The Soil and for the future! To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  

Farmers talking with farmers is key to building soil health, encouraging innovation, and expanding peer-to-peer mentoring. Anthony Beery of Beery Farms and Cumberland Hay and Straw LLC shares his journey of learning, mentoring, and on-farm experimenting with Mary Sketch Bryant and Jeff Ishee. In the previous episode, Anthony talked about how he benefitted from his father's counsel and encouragement. Anthony provides similar mentorship to his children and fellow farmers through the Virginia No-Till Alliance (VANTAGE) and Virginia's Integrated Cropland Agronomy (ICA) program so others can generate new ideas and enjoy success.  Like the majority of farmers, Anthony is constantly learning and gleaning new information through his on-farm experiments with no-till farming, multispecies cover cropping, composting, and observing the soil and plant ecosystem. As a self-described general gleaner, Anthony recommends talking with other farmers, attending conferences like the Annual VANTAGE No-Till Conference, and reading books and publications available through USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and agricultural partners. In Anthony's work with multi-species cover crops, he uses Green Cover Seeds' SmartMix Calculator as one of his reference tools.    As always, we encourage you to talk with other farmer mentors and follow the four principles of soil health: 1) Keep the Soil Covered -- Cover crops are our friends; 2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible; 3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity and life in the soil; and 4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation and/or livestock integration. Yes, soil health is a great conversation starter since we can all be 4 The Soil! To enjoy the recent 4 The Soil blog posts and We Are 4 the Soil song created by the Flip Charts, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and  https://www.4thesoil.org/#we-are-4-the-soil-video. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  

Would anyone notice if the podcast version of Charlottesville Community Engagement were to be produced from Antarctica? What about Zaire? It is conceivable that this weekly audio edition of the newsletter could be put together just about anywhere as long as all of the equipment can be packed into a suitable bag. That's the case this time around. I'm Sean Tubbs, and I'm not sure where I am, either.In this edition:* Speakers at final budget public hearing ask Albemarle Supervisors to spend more on housing and climate action (learn more)* Republican Scott Smith launches campaign for Samuel Miller District seat on Albemarle Board (learn more)* Albemarle Supervisors to hold public hearing on May 7 on Branchland precinct change (learn more)* Charlottesville City Schools selected to proceed with acquisition of Federal Executive Institute (learn more)* Charlottesville announces upcoming opportunity to provide feedback (learn more) Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.First shout-out: Piedmont Master Gardeners Plant Sale coming up this SaturdayThe Piedmont Master Gardeners will hold their annual Spring Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Albemarle Square Shopping Center in Charlottesville. The sale will offer thousands of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, vegetables, fruit-bearing plants, herbs and houseplants, along with a wide assortment of gently used garden tools, yard ornaments, outdoor furniture and other “Green Elephants.”The sale's large selection of native plants will include curated combinations of native species that support pollinators and provide food and habitat for wildlife throughout the growing season. These collections will be available in two versions, one for sunny locations and another for shade. Shoppers will also be able to purchase bags of locally produced compost and pick up kits for sending soil samples to Virginia Cooperative Extension for testing.Trained Master Gardeners will be on hand to help shoppers with their plant selections and will staff a Help Desk for addressing plant questions. Display booths and information tables will provide research-based educational resources on a variety of topics, such as conservation landscaping, soil health, composting, pest management and controlling invasive plants.Second-shout out: When Driving Is Not An Option webinar on May 12A third of people living in the United States do not have a driver's license and must navigate a mobility system designed almost exclusively for drivers. Does it have to be that way?On Monday May 12th from 6:30 pm to -7:30 pm, Livable Cville will hold a conversation with Anna Zivarts, author of the book When Driving Is Not An Option. Charlottesville City Councilor Natalie Oschrin will also make an appearance.When Driving is Not an Option shines a light on the reality for non-drivers and explains how improving our transportation system with nondrivers in mind will create a better quality of life for everyone. Zivarts is a low-vision mom, disability advocate, and non-driver. In this webinar, she'llexplain how healthier, more climate-friendly communities can be the result of what happened when the needs of involuntary nondrivers are viewed as essential to how we design our transportation systems and our communities.Councilor Oschrin will share about how these ideas apply to the Charlottesville area. There will be an opportunity for Q&A at the end. You can sign up here for this free event. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Soil health is attainable. Anthony Beery of Beery Farms and Cumberland Hay and Straw LLC shares that message with Mary Sketch Bryant and Jeff Ishee based on his farming experience and journey. Anthony grew up in the Shenandoah Valley where he and his father Danny raised dairy cows and poultry. Anthony benefitted from his father's mentorship and encouragement to be open to new ideas and experimenting.Anthony and his family moved to Cumberland County in 2018 to begin custom crop production and start Cumberland Hay & Straw LLC. Anthony received the 2024 Carl Luebben Soil Health and Water Quality Award at the Virginia Farm-to-Table Conference for his commitment, example, and mentorship of other farmers.  If you are just starting your soil health journey, Anthony emphasizes taking a step and starting with the basics: learn the soil type and previous land use, test for nutrient content and pH, and understand the areas where nutrients are low and high. For Anthony, soil compaction was a limiting factor on his farm that started his commitment to earnest no-till farming, experimenting with diverse cover crop rotations, and continued devotion to core principles of soil health. As always, we encourage you to start your soil health journey and follow the four principles of soil health: 1) Keep the Soil Covered -- Cover crops are our friends; 2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible; 3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity and life in the soil; and 4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation and/or livestock integration. Yes, soil health is attainable and we can all be 4 The Soil! To enjoy the recent We Are 4 the Soil song created by the Flip Charts, please visit   https://www.4thesoil.org/#we-are-4-the-soil-video. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  

In this episode, Nicky Schauder of Permaculture Gardens continues the conversation about permaculture and the ins and outs of compost tea with Mary Sketch Bryant, Marian Dalke, and Jeff Ishee. Nicky received two USDA-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Producer Grants to specifically research the benefits of compost tea and its effects on plant growth, yield, soil biology diversity, and the stability of soil health. Nicky's research question was does compost tea make certain leafy vegetables grow bigger or not?To read the Permaculture Gardens blog and other resources about soil regeneration, compost tea, permaculture, and growing food yourself, please visit https://www.permaculturegardens.org/Bill Mollison's books Introduction to Permaculture and Permaculture: A Designer's Manual are available online or through your local independent bookstore. Information about USDA-Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education's (SARE) grant programs and their free publications are accessible at https://southern.sare.org/To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement at https://www.4thesoil.org/ and follow the four principles of soil health: 1) Keep the Soil Covered -- Cover crops are our friends; 2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible; 3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity and life in the soil; and 4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation and/or livestock integration. And please share your stories of how you are regenerating soil on your farm, in your garden, or backyard. Yes, we can all cheer "for" soil and be 4 The Soil!

Nicky Schauder and her family started Permaculture Gardens to make permaculture and growing food accessible to everyone - especially families and children. Nicky shares her story and experience with learning, researching, and growing food with Mary Sketch Bryant, Marian Dalke, and Jeff Ishee. Nicky is constantly learning by experiment. Nicky is a two-time recipient of USDA-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Producer Grants for Research and Experimentation with permaculture and compost tea.Permaculture Gardens' Grow-It-Yourself (GIY) program stems from Nicky's learning, experimentation, and efforts to debunk the idea that growing food is neither accessible nor possible. The Live Plant Your Pantry Challenge started this week March 31 - April 5 and can be joined at https://www.permaculturegardens.org/plant-your-pantry-challenge.To read the Permaculture Gardens blog and other resources about soil regeneration, compost tea, permaculture, and growing food yourself, please visit https://www.permaculturegardens.org/To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement and share your stories of how you are regenerating soil on your farm, in your garden, or backyard. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.

Nicole Shuman is a community agriculturalist educator at Cornerstone Farm at Fairfield Middle School in Henrico County, VA. Nicole shares that education is the first and foremost goal of Cornerstone Farm. As a functioning farm, students and the school community learn what and how food is grown, while also gaining hands-on knowledge and experience growing food for a farmstand cost-effectively. Nicole outlined the big picture and how the farm provides additional service learning opportunities and a place to learn about sound nutrition, environmental sustainability, food security, and ways to contribute to the community in tangible ways.To learn more about Cornerstone Farm and the context of the agricultural learning program at Fairfield Middle School, please visit https://henricogives.org/cornerstone-farm-a-context-for-authentic-learning/The video Nicole Shuman created about cover crops when Nicole worked as an extension agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension is accessible at https://www.facebook.com/VCEGoochland/videos/cover-crops/576420333030946/  The recent 4 The Soil blog post featuring the Soil for Water video series can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/post/farmers-ranchers-and-creatives-behind-the-soil-for-water-case-studiesTo learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement and share your stories of how you are building soil health on your farm, in your garden, or backyard. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.

Context is foundational to authentic, experiential learning, and understanding how to build soil health within a landscape context. Hands-on educational activities and programs help students of all ages better understand the context and real-life application of learning objectives, principles, and practices. Nicole Shuman is a community agriculturalist with Henrico County Public Schools. Nicole shares her experience with Mary, Jeff, and Eric and how she became interested in soil health and agricultural education work, Nicole specifically talks about her community agriculture work at Cornerstone Farm at Fairfield Middle School and how the farm helps get the students outside and gives them hands-on experiences.Nicole offered the Soil Your Undies experiment and demonstration as one activity that provides context and experiential learning in a variety of settings on the farm. A 4 The Soil blog post that describes and further explains the Soil Your Undies activity and experiment can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/post/featured-resource-soil-your-undies-challenge  To learn more about Cornerstone Farm and the context of the agricultural learning program at Fairfield Middle School, please visit https://henricogives.org/cornerstone-farm-a-context-for-authentic-learning/ To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement and share your stories and the context of your agricultural and soil health work on your farm, in your garden, or backyard. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.

Clarenda "Farmer Cee" Stanley of Green Heffa Farms is someone who does not take health and wellness for granted but actively seeks to catalyze and cultivate wellness from the soil up. Farmer Cee is the founding CEO and owner of Green Heffa Farms, a black woman-owned Certified B Corporation, wellness brand, and herb farm based in North Carolina. Farmer Cee believes everyone can start on a path to wellness with care of the soil beneath their feet. In this episode, Farmer Cee shared with Mary, Jeff, and Eric what Green Heffa Farms does to care for the land, stay strategically competitive, promote transparency, and harness the power of nature and plants. Farmer Cee's values-based approach to farming includes working towards better health outcomes, less stress on people and the planet, more sustainable businesses, and healthier soil for everyone.  To learn more about Farmer Cee and Green Heffa Farms, please visit https://www.greenheffafarms.com/farmer-cee. The “We Are 4 the Soil” song and video created by the FlipCharts and Social Impact Studios that Jeff mentioned  is available on the 4theSoil.org homepage at https://www.4thesoil.org/#we-are-4-the-soil-videoAdditionally, the recent blog post about Mr. Elisha Barnes of Pop Son Farm and his single-origin redskin peanuts that he specially grows for Hubbard Peanut Company can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/post/a-shocking-history-and-future-with-elisha-barnes-of-pop-son-farm To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. Recent 4 The Soil blog posts resources can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement and share your stories and photos of how you are honoring the land and soil on your farm, in your garden, or backyard. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.

Defying obstacles, honoring the land, and giving voice to sustainability and business ethics requires commitment and dedication to a vision. Clarenda "Farmer Cee" Stanley is a visionary entrepreneur, farmer, herbalist, and advocate for ethical business and sustainable living. Known affectionately as "Farmer Cee," she is the founding CEO of Green Heffa Farms, a wellness brand and herb farm that celebrates the power of nature to heal and nourish. Beyond her work as an executive, farmer, and herbalist, Farmer Cee is also a passionate educator and community leader. Her farm has achieved the distinction of becoming the nation's premier Black-owned farm to earn the Certified B Corp credential, a significant recognition denoting Green Heffa Fams' commitment to social and environmental responsibility.Farmer Cee shared with Mary, Jeff, and Eric the obstacles she has defied and about caring for the planet's well-being, honoring the land, being devoted to prosperity and entrepreneurship, giving support to the least supported, and bringing more voices to conversations around sustainability and ethical living.  To learn more about Farmer Cee and Green Heffa Farms, please visit https://www.greenheffafarms.com/farmer-cee. For more information and lists of certified B corporations, please visit B Lab Global at https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. Recent 4 The Soil blog posts resources can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement and share your stories and photos of how you are honoring the land and soil on your farm, in your garden, or backyard. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.

Understanding context and establishing baselines are critical for developing systematic approaches to change for the right reasons. Rick Clark of Clark Land & Cattle and Farm Green Consulting is a fifth-generation farmer who farms 6,000 plus acres of certified organic crops in Warren County, Indiana. In addition to cash, oilseed, and cover crops, Rick raises cattle and sheep using his system of regenerative organic stewardship with no tillage. Through the years, Rick has worked to reduce synthetic inputs on his farm and focused on the return on the investment of any input and how that affects overall profitability.In talking with Mary, Jeff, and Eric, Rick is adamant that farmers need to understand their context (i.e., geographic, financial, emotional, etc.) and establish sound baselines for every aspect of the farm operation. Regenerative agriculture is a journey and not a destination: you have to start slowly, keep working at it, and plan accordingly.  Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. For additional thoughts and resources from Rick Clark on regenerative organic no-till farming, please visit https://www.farmgreen.land/. Other resource people that Rick mentioned included Gabe Brown of Brown's Ranch and John Kempf of the Regenerative Agriculture podcast. To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. Recent 4 The Soil blog posts resources can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you in your commitment to building soil health; understanding the context of your farm, garden, and community; and joining the 4 The Soil movement. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.

In this episode of Extension Office Friday, host Janet Michael welcomes Karen Poff, Senior Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Science, Virginia Cooperative Extension office who is based in the Warren County office, but serves all five surrounding counties. She also manages the Northern Shenandoah Valley Financial Education Program. Karen introduces Amanda Johnson, a new FCS extension agent based in the Frederick County office, but she too will serve all five surrounding counties. Amanda shares her background, explaining her transition from planning to be a child life specialist to becoming an extension agent. She's passionate about teaching and helping others. Janet and Amanda discuss Amanda's role transition from focusing solely on 4H programs to including Family Consumer Sciences. They talk about misconceptions about the Family Consumer Sciences programs and the importance of financial education programs. Karen adds context regarding the extensive range of programs offered by extensions and how the knowledge filters from children to parents due to 4H's historical model. Janet asks Amanda about her travels across counties and how she's navigating her new role. Amanda mentions her reliance on GPS due to being directionally challenged and reveals her plans to conduct focus groups in each county to tailor programs effectively to local needs. Karen and Amanda elaborate on the importance of offering research-based and evidence-based programs. They discuss the flexibility of extension programs to meet local needs and the strategic approach needed to ensure effective service. The conversation briefly touches on the importance of ServSafe and food preservation programs. Amanda expresses optimism about her role and shares details on how community members can get involved in focus groups. You can learn more on the website: https://frederick.ext.vt.edu/programs/Foodnutritionpage.html You can reach Amanda via email: amandajj@vt.edu or by phone: 540-665-5699.

Building soil health and finding system balance requires commitment, fortitude, adaptability, and working with Mother Nature. Rick Clark of Clark Land & Cattle and Farm Green Consulting is a fifth-generation farmer in Warren County, Indiana. Rick farms corn, soybeans, wheat, milo, cover crops, small grains, and other oilseed crops using regenerative organic no-till methods and systems thinking on all his acreage. Rick refers to his system as regenerative organic stewardship with no tillage. Rick was a guest speaker at the recent Profitable Soil Health Field Day held in Franklin County, Virginia.In talking with Mary, Jeff, and Eric about his experience and organic no-till journey, Rick emphasizes the need for early success with cover cropping and soil health-building practices, particularly when people are shifting farming systems and paradigms. Rick warns that with current volatile input costs and low cash crop prices, this is not a time to be a hero but to start slowly and wisely. However, Rick also states: "If you're not uncomfortable with what you're doing, then you're not trying hard enough to change."Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. For additional thoughts and resources from Rick Clark on regenerative organic no-till farming, please visit https://www.farmgreen.land/.To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. Recent 4 The Soil blog posts resources can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you in your commitment to building soil health; finding system balance on your farm, in your garden, and community; and joining the 4 The Soil movement. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.

In this episode, host Janet Michael is joined by Karen Poff who manages the Northern Shenandoah Valley Financial Education Program as part of Virginia Cooperative Extension. They discuss various aspects of a financial checkup, helping listeners prepare for a financially healthy new year. Karen's expertise includes financial education and she regularly appears on the show to offer advice on managing money and credit. Karen talks about common New Year's resolutions, primarily focusing on health and finances. She emphasizes the importance of conducting a financial assessment at the start of the year, while people are preparing their taxes and have year-end statements available. Karen explains that a financial checkup is similar to a doctor's checkup, involving multiple components. She highlights the importance of calculating one's net worth as a starting point. Karen provides an example to show how net worth should be viewed in context. They discuss the concept of the debt-to-income ratio, which measures how much of one's income goes towards paying debts. Karen explains that a healthy ratio is below 15% and provides tips for managing and reducing this ratio. Karen stresses the importance of regularly checking credit reports for inaccuracies and signs of identity theft. She also explains how credit scores can impact loan rates and other financial aspects, highlighting that one doesn't need to obsess over perfect scores as long as they are within a good range. Karen & Janet had an in-depth conversation about credit on a previous show. Click here to listen to that episode. The conversation includes additional steps for a thorough financial checkup, like reviewing insurance coverage, updating beneficiary information, adjusting tax withholdings, and increasing retirement savings. They emphasize the value of consulting with financial professionals annually to ensure all aspects of one's financial health are in order. Karen mentions the Virginia Lawyer Referral Service. You can find more information about them by clicking here. The conversation concludes with Karen providing tips on accessing useful resources and reminding listeners that they can reach out to their local extension office for free financial guidance. You can reach Karen via email by clicking here. You can call her office at 540-635-4549.

Our conversation with Maureen McNamara Best and Maureen "Mo" McGonagle on regional food system development and networks continues this week with a specific focus on food as medicine. Maureen McNamara Best is the executive director of LEAP (Local Environmental Agriculture Project) and Maureen "Mo" McGonagle is the director of the Roanoke Foodshed Network. In this episode, Maureen and Mo discuss educational and community outreach programs that connect to soil health and medical approaches to healing and prevention of diet-related illnesses. Maureen shares about the Virginia Fresh Match program and LEAP's Kids Bucks program. These two programs are aimed at promoting healthy people and healthy children. Mo reflected on her time coordinating the Pharmacy Garden for the New River Valley Health District. Taste, flavor, dignity, choice, and access, along with diversified agriculture and active community engagement, are important ingredients to food as medicine programs.Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. The three educational resources that Maureen and Mo referenced included Civil Eats magazine, Ken Meter's Building Community Food Webs, and Adrienne Maree Brown's Emergent Strategy.To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. Recent 4 The Soil blog posts resources can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement and do your part to build soil health on your farm, in your garden, or community. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.

Are you interested in improving the water and nutrient-holding capacity of your soil? Have you heard about biochar as a soil amendment? Dr. Wayne Teel of James Madison University has studied and researched biochar for more than 15 years. Wayne discusses the promise and potential of biochar with Mary Sketch Bryant and Jeff Ishee as a follow-up to their conversation about agroforestry. Dr. Teel describes how biochar is formed through a combustion process with little or no oxygen present. Wayne distinguishes between types of biochar and those combusted at high and low temperatures as well as those types that may have nutrients already attached versus simple wood and plant-based materials.Biochar has been used throughout history to improve soil fertility and carbon sequestration. Its first recorded use was by people living in the Amazon River basin.Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.To learn about Dr. Teel's education and research interests, please visit JMU's faculty expert site at https://www.jmu.edu/university-communications/faculty-experts/experts/teel-wayne/index.shtml. If you are learning about biochar, Dr. Teel recommended two books by Albert Bates: The Biochar Solution: Carbon Farming and Climate Change and Burn: Using Fire to Cool the Earth.For questions about soil and water conservation practices, call or visit a USDA Service Center, or a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office. You may also be interested in Virginia Cooperative Extension's educational programs and Virginia's Agroforestry Regional Knowledge (ARK) Exchange. To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. Recent 4 The Soil blog posts resources can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/.As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement and do your part to build soil health on your farm, in your garden, or community. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.  

We all could benefit from reconnecting to soil, land, trees, and where our food comes from and how food is produced. Dr. Wayne Teel is a professor of geography at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He shares with Mary Sketch Bryant and Jeff Ishee how he works with his students at JMU to connect them to a farmer or field experience so the connection is real and tangible. Dr. Teel shares stories of his own experience working on a farm in the Columbia River Basin in Eastern Washington and his international experience working with farmers in Kenya and Mozambique. Wayne discusses and defines agroforestry for us and how managing interactions between plants, trees, and livestock can provide multiple benefits. He encourages farmers and landowners who are interested in agroforestry and practices like a riparian buffer of trees and plants to start small and observe what is naturally in the streamside area.To learn about Dr. Teel's education and research interests, please visit JMU's faculty expert site at https://www.jmu.edu/university-communications/faculty-experts/experts/teel-wayne/index.shtml. Dr. Teel's book "Regenerating the Ecology of Place" is available online and from independent bookstores. For questions about agroforestry and soil and water conservation practices like riparian buffers, call or visit a USDA Service Center, or a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office. You may also be interested in Virginia Cooperative Extension's educational programs and Virginia's Agroforestry Regional Knowledge (ARK) Exchange. To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. Recent 4 The Soil blog posts resources can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/.As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement and to reconnect with soil, land, trees, and the farm community. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.  

In this episode hosted by Janet Michael, the focus was on the Virginia Master Naturalists and the upcoming event, 'An Evening Under the Stars' at Blandy Experimental Farm on September 13th. Joining Janet was Rebecca Harriett, President of the Shenandoah Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists, and Mary Beth Yarborough, the event coordinator. Rebecca explained the mission and scope of the Virginia Master Naturalists, emphasizing the extensive training volunteers undergo in natural sciences to aid in various community and conservation projects. The organization has 30 chapters across the state and is heavily involved in education, citizen science, and stewardship projects. Mary Beth detailed the inspiration behind the event 'An Evening Under the Stars' and the documentary Hometown Habitat - Stories of Bringing Nature Home which aims to inspire community stewardship of local resources. The documentary, filmed the previous fall, highlights the importance of pollinators and native plants. The film starts at 7:30pm but plan to arrive between 6pm - 7pm to enjoy food and drinks, local native plant nurseries, conservation groups, and prizes. Guests are invited to bring chairs/blankets to Blandy's amphitheater as well.  This documentary film profiles 7 “hometown habitat heroes” around the country who are taking practical steps to bring more native plants into their backyards and communities. The narrative thread of this documentary (produced by Catherine Zimmerman) is provided by renowned entomologist Douglas Tallamy, Ph.D. whose research, books and lectures about the use of non-native plants in landscaping sound the alarm about habitat and species loss. Throughout the conversation, the guests discussed various topics, including the benefits of conservation landscaping, the role of native plants in supporting local ecosystems, and the importance of educating children about the environment. Rebecca and Mary Beth shared their personal experiences in transforming their own yards to support native wildlife and reduce turf grass. Janet touched upon the practical aspects of the event, such as the layout with information tables, food trucks, and plant nurseries, which will contribute to a comprehensive educational experience for attendees. Tickets for the event are free but attendees are encouraged to register through Eventbrite for updates.  Mary Beth emphasized that the documentary and event are relevant for a wide audience—from homeowners to community leaders—highlighting the shared responsibility in promoting sustainable practices.  About the Event organizers: Sponsored by: ·        Virginia Master Naturalists- Shenandoah Chapter: volunteers who work to help manage and conserve Virginia's natural resources and public lands. They provide education, outreach, and service to benefit their communities' natural areas and resources. VMNs are also known as citizen scientists and volunteer educators. One goal is to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources. Rebecca Harriett, President ·        Virginia Native Plant Society, Piedmont Chapter: is a nonprofit organization of individuals who share an interest in Virginia's native plants and habitats. The Society and its chapters seek to further the appreciation and conservation of this priceless heritage and strives to have a positive impact on the future of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Emily Southgate, President ·        Blandy Experimental Farm (home to the State Arboretum of Virginia) host and partner to VMN, is hosting this event at its outdoor amphitheater, located in Boyce, Virginia (Clarke County).  The State Arboretum of Virginia is part of Blandy Experimental Farm, a research field station for the University of Virginia. Its 700 acres are a good representation of the habitats found in the Shenandoah Valley, making it an excellent spot to watch birds and other wildlife. The State Arboretum is the only mature arboretum on limestone soils on the east coast. The grounds are open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, free of charge. Director David Carr; Ariel Firebaugh, Director of Scientific Engagement In collaboration with: Virginia Cooperative Extension Agency: The Frederick County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension is the local connection to Virginia‘s land-grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. Through educational programs based on research and developed with input from local stakeholders, VCE helps the people of Frederick County improve their lives: education through programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Viability. Joanne Royaltey Program Associate

Do you like to volunteer, dig in the soil, and get your hands dirty? Planting and harvesting vegetables, experimenting with cover crops, and reducing tillage can be great fun as well. Virginia Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and the Fauquier Education Farm offer two tangible ways to volunteer, dig in the soil, get your hands dirty, and give back to the community. Tim Ohlwiler elaborates on how these volunteer-based programs serve as living laboratories where theory and hands-on practice merge for the benefit of participants and communities. Tim is an extension agent for horticulture with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) in Fauquier County, Virginia. Tim was recognized as a friend of 4-H for his youth educational programming in 2023. Tim helps coordinate the local Master Gardener program and serves on the board of the Fauquier Education Farm. To learn about Virginia Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener, please call your local Virginia Cooperative Extension unit. Enjoy a virtual tour of the Fauquier Education Farm and learn about its programs and ways to support its mission at https://www.fauquiereducationfarm.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation and the protection of natural resources, call or visit a USDA Service Center, or a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office near you to learn about education programs, funding opportunities, and the technical assistance offered. To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. Recent 4 The Soil blog posts resources can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/.As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement through gardening, farming, and volunteering in your community. Yes, we can all be 4 The Soil.  

Farming and market gardening require continually learning and appropriately managing risks. Robert "Bob" Waring of Brandon Farms in Essex County, Virginia is a proponent of cover crops, soil health, and on-farm research. Bob states he sees the beginning of a movement, particularly as farmers learn from other farmers. He has embraced cover crops, and he consistently maps biomass yields and samples his fields' soil nutrient levels.In testing theories and making observations through the years, Bob has been able to reduce external inputs of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and lime, while increasing yields and return on investments. Bob attributes some of these results to improved biological activity in the soil and restored natural nutrient cycling. In addition, the summer cover crops he plants protect soil moisture, reduce soil temperatures compared to bare ground, and buffer soil pH. If you have questions about building soil health and the benefits of following climate-smart principles in your cropping and farming systems, please visit your local Virginia Cooperative Extension unit, a USDA Service Center, or a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office near you. To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/.To review the four core soil health principles and access the recent 4 The Soil blog posts that Jeff Ishee referenced, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/.As always, we would love to learn about your soil health journey and encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement.  

Our conversation today welcomes back Karen Poff, Senior Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Science, Virginia Cooperative Extension office to discuss ten essential tips for financial wellness. Karen is based in the Warren County office, but serves all five surrounding counties. She also manages the Northern Shenandoah Valley Financial Education Program. Our conversation covers various aspects of managing personal finances effectively, including setting priorities, creating SMART goals, and managing expenses. She starts by emphasizing the importance of knowing what matters most to you and aligning your finances accordingly. Karen highlights how financial wellness is crucial to overall well-being, connecting it with values like family and education. The second tip is about setting SMART goals, making them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Janet shares a personal anecdote about saving for a car by simulating a car payment to prepare her budget. Spending less than you make is discussed next, with an emphasis on the need for a written spending and savings plan. She mentions dealing with unexpected expenses and how having a plan can mitigate financial stress. Karen introduces the idea of a reserve fund for irregular expenses, recommending calculating annual irregular expenses and setting aside money monthly to cover them. Janet adds her example of managing personal property taxes this way. An emergency fund is vital, and Karen provides practical advice on building one, even starting small. We also discuss using raises and paid-off bills as opportunities to increase savings. She underscores the importance of automating savings, with me explaining how I automatically save money by treating it like a bill payment, ensuring consistency in savings. Tip eight focuses on using credit wisely, avoiding using credit for consumables like vacations or dining out, and instead reserving it for long-lasting purchases. Karen advises borrowing only what you can repay and highlights how lenders might approve you for more than you can afford. She suggests setting personal limits and staying within them. The final tip is about protecting your information from scammers, recommending that you verify contacts independently and be wary of sophisticated scams. Karen concludes by inviting listeners to contact her through local extension offices or online for more financial education resources and programs. You can call here at 540-635-4549 or send an email: kpoff@vt.edu. You can also find more information on her website by clicking here.

The economics of farming are always tenuous and subject to many market and climatic forces. Robert "Bob" Waring of Brandon Farms of Dunnsville, Virginia describes himself as a return-on-investment (ROI) kind of guy. With the tenuous, volatile nature of farming, Bob is constantly evaluating Brandon Farms' cropping system as a whole and looking for sound input reduction strategies. Over the past fifteen years, Bob has focused on growing his fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and farm profitability through timely cover crop mixtures and management. Hairy vetch and black oats have worked well in his corn and soybean rotations and helped Brandon Farms dramatically reduce fertilizer and pesticide costs. If you are new to cover cropping, Bob recommends finding a legume like clover, cowpeas, or Austrian winter pea that fits in your system as a starting point.American Farmland Trust's Soil Health Case Study of Brandon Farms is accessible at https://farmlandinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/brandon-farms-soil-health-case-study.pdf If you have questions about the economic and climate resilience of your cropping and farming systems, please visit your local Virginia Cooperative Extension unit, a USDA Service Center, or a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office near you. To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. To access the recent 4 The Soil blog posts that Jeff Ishee referenced, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/. As always, we would love to hear your experience and perspective on ways you have invested in soil health and what financial and ecological returns you have experienced.      

Our conversation today is full of details for the 2024 Northern Shenandoah Valley Drinking Water Testing Clinics from Karen Poff, Senior Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Science, Virginia Cooperative Extension office who is based in the Warren County office, but serves all five surrounding counties. She also manages the Northern Shenandoah Valley Financial Education Program. Hannah Copp, also joins us. Hannah is an Associate Extension Agent in Family and Consumer Sciences, focusing on food, nutrition, & health. They explain the importance of these clinics, which are held every couple of years to help residents test their private water supplies at a more reasonable cost. Karen and Hannah underscore the educational aspect of these clinics, which aim to inform people about improving water quality and choosing appropriate treatment systems. Our conversation covers various aspects of the clinics, such as different contaminants tested (e.g., bacteria, iron, lead, and arsenic), and the importance of proper sample collection to ensure accurate results. Hannah delineates the process for picking up sample kits, attending kickoff meetings (either in-person or virtually), and delivering samples for testing. Karen highlights that the clinics are specifically for those on private water supplies, like wells, springs, and cisterns, not for those connected to municipal systems. We discuss the importance of attending results meetings to understand both individual and county-wide water quality and the importance of educational support from the Extension Office for managing and treating private water supplies. We also touch upon the cost of testing kits and available subsidized options for those who need them. Karen and Hannah share details about the registration deadlines, the necessity of timely sample submissions, and where to find more information about the clinics.  Please register by Thursday, July 11, for Week 1 (Clarke, Shenandoah & Warren Counties) and by Thursday, July 18, for Week 2 (Frederick & Page Counties). After those dates, please call Virginia Cooperative Extension-Frederick County, 540/665-5699, to check on kit availability. Kits are limited! Register online (credit/debit card payment): https://warren.ext.vt.edu/news/NSV-Water-Clinics.html  Click here to see/share the Facebook post we mention for more details as well. Click here to download a flyer with more details, dates and locations.  

Henrico County residents whose property has wells, springs or cisterns now can have their water quality tested for free thanks to the county's office of Virginia Cooperative Extension. The Virginia Household Water Quality Program offers residents a three-part clinic that includes collecting, testing, and getting back test results. The free testing kit is available for those who register online before noon on Friday, May 31. Those who register will be able to pick up their kit from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7 or Monday, June 10 at the Extension Office in the Human Services Building at...Article LinkSupport the Show.

The Henrico County extension of Virginia Cooperative Extension is now accepting applications for the SMART Scapes program, which can help residents assess their home landscapes and develop plans for optimal planting, pruning, and mulching practices. The -fee program includes a comprehensive set of materials that includes a property map, details on current plantings, general gardening information, and more. The SMART Scapes program is based on the concepts of soil test, plant selection, arranging plants, rain and irrigation, and trouble-free maintenance. These concepts are designed to promote the creation of healthy and sustainable landscapes. Turf grasses are not included in the...Article LinkSupport the show

A new six-story apartment building planned in Henrico's Near West End; the Congressional Art Competition is now accepting entries; Henrico Schools officials seek volunteers for board, committee; Sheetz to host statewide hiring event Wednesday; Henrico's Virginia Cooperative Extension summer camp now accepting registrations; Lewis Ginter plans a spring garden party next month; give to the Citizen and we'll give you two Richmond Flying Squirrels Opening Night game tickets!Support the show

The Henrico County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension's summer camp is accepting registrations for its five-day session this year (July 29 through Aug. 2) at the Jamestown 4-H Education Center near Williamsburg. The camp is for boys and girls ages 9 through 13. The camp is designed to provide a safe and fun environment for children to learn, make friends, and discover the outdoors. Activities including swimming, archery, canoeing, basketball, volleyball, forestry, shooting education, campfires, crafts, marine science, skits, and more will be offered. The cost is 5 and includes meals and lodging for five days and four nights, as...Article LinkSupport the show

We pre-recorded today's Extension Office Friday conversation via Zoom with Karen Poff, Senior Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Science, Virginia Cooperative Extension office. Karen is based in the Warren County office, but serves all five surrounding counties. She also manages the Northern Shenandoah Valley Financial Education Program. Joining Karen was Emily Schultz. Emily manages the 4H program for Warren County. We talked about Emily's background & experiences in 4H. She also gave details for upcoming events like 4H Camp, the different clubs within 4H, and explained ways to get involved.  Learn more on their website: https://warren.ext.vt.edu/ and follow them on Facebook. Find more information and reach out to Emily here:  Virginia 4-H: https://ext.vt.edu/4h-youth.html The Northern Virginia 4-H Camp Page: https://www.nova4h.com/camp-page/ Emily's email and office phone: eshultz@vt.edu 540-635-4549

How does a purposeful mindset contribute to soil health and rebuilding soil fertility? What can we learn from culture, history, and mindset in storing our farm landscapes?Rebekah Slabach recently became the associate director for the Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture within Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Formerly, Rebekah was an extension agent for agriculture and natural resources with Virginia Cooperative Extension in Halifax County. Rebekah reminds us that culture and history are part of agriculture and that managing soil health through changing weather, markets, and environmental demands requires a purposeful mindset. In striving to keep the soil covered with more species of cover crops, Rebekah emphasizes that a planted cover crop is better than waiting to plant the perfect cover crop mixture and that something covering the soil is better than a bare fallow. The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture is a pilot program that seeks to incentivize and reward farmers and ranchers for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. To learn more about the Alliance and Virginia Tech's role, please visit https://www.allianceforcsa.org/ The basic information and core principles of soil health, along with two years of the 4 The Soil: A Conversation podcast archives, can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/. To pledge your support to 4 The Soil, fill out the form at https://www.4thesoil.org/take-the-pledge and tell us about your mindset for building soil resilience and health in your community.

What are the ingredients of change? How can you fuel and be an agent of change in your community? Rebekah Slabach serves as an extension agent of agriculture and natural resources with Virginia Cooperative Extension in Halifax County. Rebekah shares her early involvement with 4-H and Youth Conservation Camp as two educational opportunities growing up that sparked her interest and passion in agriculture and the environment. Rebekah sees her work with Extension to fuel and encourage positive change on farms and the broader community. Mindfulness, passion, and perspective are key elements for fueling change but also knowing your goals and not getting distracted by seemingly urgent needs. Soil fertility and health have to be managed for short-term and long-term profitability, resilience, and community change.To learn more about Virginia Cooperative Extension's Natural Resource and Environmental Education programs and the Virginia's Soil and Water Conservation Districts' Youth Conservation Camp, please visit https://ext.vt.edu/4h-youth/nree.html and https://vaswcd.org/conservation-camp/The basic information and core principles of soil health, along with two years of the 4 The Soil: A Conversation podcast archives, can be accessed at https://www.4thesoil.org/. To pledge your support to 4 The Soil, fill out the form at https://www.4thesoil.org/take-the-pledge and tell us how you are building soil resilience and health in your community.

Our conversation today covered several food-related topics as we chatted with several Virginia Cooperative Extension agents about their various programs. Karen Poff, Senior Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Science, Virginia Cooperative Extension office is based in the Warren County office, but serves all five surrounding counties. She also manages the Northern Shenandoah Valley Financial Education Program. Hannah Copp, is an Associate Extension Agent in Family and Consumer Sciences, focusing on food, nutrition, & health. Joanne Royaltey is a Program Associate with Frederick County Cooperative Extension, and an Extension Master Gardener. Karen gave details about the Super Pantry program. The Super Pantry program is a six-week course during which families receive instruction about food preparation, basic budgeting, food safety, and other life skills. Super Pantry offers low-income families the tools to improve nutrition, overall health, and self-sufficiency. In addition, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank provides families with food boxes for the duration of the program. Super Pantry is a collaborative effort between the Food Bank, the Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Smart Choices Nutrition Education Program (SCNEP).  A registered dietician from the Virginia Cooperative Extension teaches each session. For more information about the program, reach out to Kimberly Costa, FNP Program Assistant via phone 540-665-5699 or email kimcosta@vt.edu  Hannah gave us some insight into the food and nutrition programs she offers and talked about the benefits of food preservation. Joanne talked about the positive impact gardening - no matter the size - can have on food insecurity. She encouraged anyone interested in starting a community garden to reach out to extension for advice. She explained that community gardens do well in our region as they offer so many benefits: Beautifying the landscape Making fresh produce accessible Promoting healthier lifestyles Cleaning up the environment Building stronger communities Providing educational opportunities Increasing wellness Below are several links that the group shared where you can find more information on the topics we discussed today. Blue Ridge Area Food Bank- Food Finder map: https://foodfinder.brafb.org/  SNAP/EBT Retailers: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ebt_card/ebt_retailers.cgi SNAP/EBT accepting farmers markets: https://vafma.org/virginia-markets/ or https://eatsmartmovemoreva.org/shop/farmers-markets/ Free Market Fridays offers free, fresh produce at Page County's three community gardens CCAP Community Garden in Warren County Valley Health's Growing Community Garden

President Abraham Lincoln stated in 1858 that "Every blade of grass is a study; and to produce two, where there was but one, is both a profit and a pleasure." The profit and pleasure of turfgrass still require observation, care, and ongoing research. Extension Turfgrass Specialist Dr. Mike Goatley of Virginia Tech (Dr. Turf) talks with Jeff Ishee and Eric Bendfeldt about his journey into studying and researching turfgrass and lawn management. Mike provides guidance on the value of turfgrass for water quality, erosion control, soil stabilization, temperature moderation, and drought resilience. Knowing the eight different types of grass that grow and thrive across Virginia's climatic transition zones can help, but overall turfgrass performance and resilience to drought begins with managing soil for fertility and health. For additional information on turfgrass and lawn management, please visit the Virginia Tech Turfgrass website at https://turf.spes.vt.edu/ Also, if you want to become a Virginia Certified Fertilizer Applicator, Virginia Cooperative Extension offers certification training opportunities at https://www.ext.vt.edu/cfa.Learn more about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and pledge your support for soil health at https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/ and https://4thesoil/take-the-pledge

Britanny Saunier, M.P.A. is the Executive Director of the Partnership for Food Safety Education (PFSE). She focuses on leveraging PFSE's historical leadership in cross-sector collaboration and ensuring organizational effectiveness to realize PFSE's mission to develop and promote effective education programs to reduce foodborne illness risk for consumers. Britanny began as an intern at PFSE in 2011, and later served as PFSE's Director of Development, successfully increasing PFSE's program service revenue and bringing diversification to PFSE's Partner network. She facilitated program engagement with consumer and academic food safety experts, supporting PFSE programs including the National Consumer Food Safety Education Conference. Britanny holds a master's degree in Public Administration with a Health Policy focus from the School of Public Affairs at the American University in Washington, D.C. Ashley Eisenbeiser, M.S., C.F.S. is Senior Director for Food and Product Safety Programs for FMI, The Food Industry Association and a food scientist specializing in food safety. In her role, Ashley serves as a subject matter expert for food and product safety for FMI's food safety programs and provides support for FMI's retail, wholesale, and product supplier members on food safety training, technical services, regulatory compliance, and industry research and resources. Prior to joining FMI in June 2013, Ashley served as a Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, where she planned, delivered, and evaluated community nutrition, health, and food safety educational programs. Ashley is a Certified Food Scientist and received her master's and bachelor's degrees in Food Science and Technology from Virginia Tech. Ashley serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Partnership for Food Safety Education and is a member of several professional associations, including the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), and the Conference for Food Protection (CFP).   In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Britanny and Ashley [3:22] about:  PFSE's mission to promote safe food handling and preparation practices, and how FMI and PFSE collaborate to protect consumer health   Resources that FMI utilizes as an annual contributing partner to PFSE, and how FMI members benefit from these resources The methods and measurements of success used by PFSE's food safety educators, called BAC Fighters The advocacy efforts of, and resources offered by, PFSE and FMI in honor of National Food Safety Education Month Why Britanny and Ashley are personally invested in food safety, and how their motivations inform their work. Resources Partnership for Food Safety Education Partnership for Food Safety Education NFSEM Resource Food Safety Bingo FMI, The Food Industry Association We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Our conversation today for Extension Office Friday featured Karen Poff, a Senior Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension who manages the NSV Financial Education Program, and Hannah Copp, an Associate Extension Agent in Family and Consumer Sciences, focusing on foods, nutrition, & health. Hannah told us how she landed in a career with extension and talked about how much she learned in the few short months since she's started. We talked about several classes and programs that she has offered (food preservation, making baby food) and a few that are on the horizon (diabetes prevention) as she settles into her position. Hannah focuses on improving wellness for individuals and their families through educational and outreach programs that provide people with skills needed to make positive changes and improve their overall well-being. Follow her on Facebook to stay in the know about upcoming classes & programs, and to subscribe to her newsletter.

What is your passion? Where do you experience a sense of wonder and hope? Jeff Ishee and Mary Sketch Bryant talk with Kate Bracken and Craig Fracker of the Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardener Association about how they empower communities with research-based garden education from the soil up, and specifically about their HOPE (Helping Our Planet Endure) initiative. Kate and Craig as Master Gardener volunteers with Virginia Cooperative Extension share how their local association builds and maintains active interest among their community in the care of lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, gardens, and most importantly soils. Without soil, there are no gardens.To learn more about Virginia Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and the Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardener Association's Hope from the Garden initiative, please visit https://ext.vt.edu/lawn-garden/master-gardener/Become-a-Master-Gardener.html and https://www.hopeftg.org/Learn more about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and pledge your support for soil health at https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/ and https://4thesoil/take-the-pledge

Today on Two Mics Up we are talking with Financial Coach Sandra Bates.  Sandra has been working with clients and their finances for over 30 years. Sandra gives back to the community by volunteering with the Virginia Cooperative Extension and loves helping people, and what better way than helping people take control of their finances? As Financial Coach Sandra can help you reach your financial goals by teaching you proper money  management skills, such as how to build savings, create a financial plan or pay down debt. Sandra will also help you improve your financial literacy without exploring investment counseling. Call Sandra today and sign up for your 30 minute consultation! PH: 757-655-1352 Featuring Sandra Bates - Financial Coach Web: https://money-sense.org IG/FB: @coachmoneysense --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/twomicsup/support

Soil is important infrastructure on our landscapes and in our communities. Jeff Ishee, Eric Bendfeldt, and Mary Sketch Bryant talk with Carl Stafford of Virginia Cooperative Extension in Culpeper County about the George Washington Carver Center, a food and business incubator and agricultural service center serving communities in and around Culpeper County. Carl is the Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent in Stafford County and has an expertise in livestock forages, beef cattle management, and has been an active member in the community for years. In this episode, Carl discusses the intersection of food, soil, history, and community that the Carver Center embodies. To learn more about The George Washington Carver Center and educational programming of Virginia Cooperative Extension in Culpeper County, please visit https://www.ext.vsu.edu/carver-center and https://culpeper..ext.vt.edu/Learn more about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and pledge your support for soil health at https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/ and https://www.4thesoil.org.

What does the health of plants and animals have to tell us about life underground? In this episode, Jeff Ishee, Eric Bendfeldt, and Mary Sketch Bryant talk with Carl Stafford of Virginia Cooperative Extension in Culpeper County about the importance of grazing with intent for the benefit of plants, animals, and the soil. Carl is the Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent in Stafford County and has an expertise in livestock forages, beef cattle management, and is an active leader in the Graze 300 program. In this episode, Carl discusses the importance of paying attention to the biological components of soil and the role that well managed livestock and grass management systems can play in supporting life underground. He shares who his mentors have been over the years and the importance of peer-to-peer networks for promoting innovation. To learn more about Graze 300 and educational programming of Virginia Cooperative Extension in Culpeper County, please visit https://ext.vt.edu/agriculture/graze-300.html and https://culpeper..ext.vt.edu/Learn more about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and pledge your support for soil health at https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/ and https://www.4thesoil.org.

How can you really know your soil is alive, biologically active, and not sterile? Well, the answer is brief. Yes, really! Soil your undies, that is, bury a pair of your 100% cotton undies in an area of your garden or cropland where you are curious about its biological activity and wait about 60 days to see what happens and if the undies decompose through time due to the microbial life in the soil.Elizabeth Mullins Baldwin and Meagan Dyer of Virginia Cooperative Extension's (VCE) Page County Office share with Jeff Ishee and Mary Sketch Bryant how they first learned about the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service's ‘Soil Your Undies Challenge' and how they have incorporated the demonstration into their ongoing soil health educational programming efforts with farmers, gardeners, 4-H youth, school children, and anyone who is interested in enhancing soil life through core soil health-building principles.To learn more about the "Soil Your Undies' demonstration and the overall educational programming of Virginia Cooperative Extension in Page County, Virginia, and the surrounding area, please visit https://page.ext.vt.edu/ Learn more about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, pledge your support for soil health, and ways you might celebrate National Soil Health Day at https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/ and https://www.4thesoil.org

Cover crops have many different functions and benefits from adding biomass to alleviating compaction to providing habitat for beneficial pollinators. People may be hesitant to plant a mixture of cover crops if they have not previously planted cover crops. Mike Parrish, senior extension agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension in Dinwiddie County, discusses the ins and outs of cover cropping and how different cover crops can serve specific roles in farming, gardening, lawn renovation, and land reclamation. Mike highlights the benefits of buckwheat, cereal rye, and pearl millet. He discusses how winter and summer cover crop mixtures can provide a bridge throughout the growing season, be aesthetically appealing, and be a good source of specific types of pollen for honeybees. Additionally, Mike has created a number of videos and resource materials to demonstrate the importance and extensive nature of Virginia agriculture. The Desktop Farm Day website that Mike developed to improve agricultural awareness and answer common farm questions can be accessed at https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/desktop-farm-day/home Learn more about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, pledge your support for soil health, and discover the recent 4 The Soil coloring book at https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/ and https://www.4thesoil.org.

Farmers, gardeners, and homeowners can face different challenges in managing and building soil health. Mike Parrish, senior extension agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension in Dinwiddie County, encourages everyone to do their own research and side-by-side trials. Learning by trial and error allows for direct comparisons and works in a specific context. Mike works closely with commercial growers who grow everything from corn, soybeans, cotton, cereal rye, and other agronomic crops, but also provides educational programming to homeowners and other landowners who might have a problem with soil compaction, water holding capacity, or other common soil ailments.Mike emphasizes that cover crops are applicable to cropland, a garden, and even a lawn where the soil is ailing and not functioning as it should. For gardeners and homeowners, Mike advises everyone to take advantage of Virginia Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener programs and resources. Additionally, Mike does a fantastic job at communicating and educating just how diverse Virginia's agriculture is through videos and storytelling. In the course of the conversation, Mike discussed the Desktop Farm Day website he has developed to improve agricultural awareness and literacy about common farm questions and everyday activities, which can be accessed at https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/desktop-farm-day/home Learn more about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition, join the 4 the Soil conversation, and read the latest Soil Health Tip Tuesday blog post at https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/ and https://www.4thesoil.org.

Who inspired you in your career and spurred your interest in soil health? Beth Sastre is an extension agent for commercial horticulture in Loudoun County with Virginia Cooperative Extension. Beth was inspired to pursue a career in agriculture and natural resources by her grandfather and by Mother Nature. Beth's grandfather was an agronomist in Mexico and worked closely with farmers on soil and water conservation-related issues. Additionally, Beth was fascinated early in her life by Mother Nature, the beauty of natural resources, and how our farming practices affect soil health. Beth shares her own inspiration and fascination with soil health with farmers, homeowners, students, and Future Farmers of America in Loudoun County and across Virginia through her educational programs and scientific expertise. To learn about Virginia Cooperative Extension Loudoun County's local educational programs, please visit https://loudoun.ext.vt.edu/programs.htmlIf you are interested in learning about or participating in Loudoun County's Master Gardener program, please visit https://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/To pledge your commitment to soil health, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/take-the-pledge and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition website for the upcoming release of a 4 The Soil coloring book.

Get to know your 4 The Soil: A Conversation podcast team. Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, Sarah Koth, and Eric Bendfeldt share their background and aha moments in learning about and building soil health. Jeff mentioned the influence of his father but also his library of soil health books he has accumulated since his retirement from the U.S. Navy. Mary recalled her earlier work in environmental and conservation studies and the importance of the human dimension in soil health and the protection of natural resources. Sarah highlighted her background in environmental communications and advocacy at James Madison University and her introduction to soil health in interning and volunteering with community-based organizations that were working to address food security and justice. Eric reflected on his introduction to soil health and fertility issues working with the Mennonite Central Committee, the relief, peace, and development agency of the Mennonite church, in Tanzania, East Africa. In listening to Jeff, Mary, Sarah, and Eric, it is easy to recognize that no matter what our various backgrounds and experiences are that we can all be 4 The Soil! We would be interested in learning about your aha moments with soil health and the care of natural resources. A few soil resource authors mentioned during this episode included Jon Stika, Wendell Berry, Gene Logsdon, Joel Salatin, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Leah Penniman. Virginia Graze 300 is a program of Virginia Cooperative Extension whose mission is to enable Virginia farmers to achieve 300 days of livestock grazing by facilitating better pasture management and environmental stewardship. To learn more about Virginia Graze 300, please visit https://ext.vt.edu/agriculture/graze-300.html If you want to pledge your commitment to soil health, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/take-the-pledge or the Virginia Soil Health Coalition website.

Our conversation today with Ag Agent Elizabeth Baldwin gave us all the details for an upcoming workshop series she's hosting: Whole Farm Planning. Elizabeth in a Unit Coordinator & Associate Extension Agent through Virginia Cooperative Extension. She's based in Page County but serves all five surrounding counties. She told us about the workshop series that will be offered over the course of four consecutive Thursday evenings at their office in Stanley, VA (215 West Main St. Suite C). The cost for the series is $40. You can register by clicking here or calling her office at (540) 778-5794. The series will cover a different topic each week and help those who are thinking of starting any type or size of farm, or those who are already farming and would like to expand or change their focus. We talked about all the different scenarios and questions that will be covered during each of the sessions and the value of the information that will be provided to those who attend.

Our conversation today kicks off a year-long partnership with Northwestern Community Services Board highlighting eight different dimensions of wellness. Their "Rooted in" campaign is in its third year with 2023's message: Rooted in Wellness. Each month they will encourage and challenge community members to get involved by either participating in a monthly challenge or attending a Lunch and Learn session. The goals of the campaign are to deliver the following messages of wellness: • To raise awareness about how being mentally well impacts not only one part of who we are; • To encourage community members to become mentally well; • To foster connection and resilience in our communities by emphasizing wellness. “Rooted in Wellness” is a collaborative project. Prevention and Wellness works closely with local coalitions to reach each community in their service area. These include Family Youth Initiative, Page Alliance for Community Action, Warren Coalition, and Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition. In addition, the campaign hopes to bring awareness to 2 statewide initiatives: Activate Your Wellness and Lock and Talk Virginia. Each month there will be a call to action with tips, activities, and education to build up a specific dimension of wellness. There are various ways to engage in the campaign including through social media. Stay up-to-date by following @NWCSBWellness on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for infographics, photos, resources, and quotes. As this campaign is yearlong, be sure to visit nwcsbwellness.com regularly for updates and schedule of monthly activities. Share posts and include the hashtag #NWRootedinWellness. Get involved. Be creative. Take photos that reflect what wellness means to you and tag @NWCSBWellness on social media with the hashtag #NWPhotoVoiceChallenge. Implement #NWRootedinWellness into your everyday life this year. Yard signs with wellness messages are also available as part of this effort. Reach out if you are interested in displaying a FREE sign by emailing PreventionandWellness@nwcsb.com See signs? Take a picture and be sure to tag @NWCSBWellness and use the hashtag #NWRootedinWellness. Today's conversation included Karen Poff. Karen manages the Northern Shenandoah Valley Financial Education Program through Virginia Cooperative Extension. Financial Wellness is the focus for January. Karen explained why this is an important first step and talked about the Lunch & Learn she is hosting on the topic. You can watch the recording of that by clicking here.

In this episode we talk about the future of boxwood in the garden, a visit to Bunny Mellon' Garden, and the return of the Norton Grape to Virginia with Pat Reilly.Pat educates homeowners and landscape professionals. Teaching them how to select, care and thrive the plants of their gardens.She is the horticulture outreach specialist for NewGen Boxwoods and Saunders Brothers, inc. and you'll also find her at Merrifield Garden Center in Northern Virginia.She has been an active Master Gardener volunteer with Virginia Cooperative Extension since 1995. Pat is happy to be breaking in a new garden where the bulb planter will actually work with her husband and two old rescued Golden Retrievers.She also tells stories and pours wine at a local winery.

It was a great conversation today with Karen Poff where she shared her personal financial checklist for wrapping up the year. Karen manages the Northern Shenandoah Valley Financial Education Program through Virginia Cooperative Extension. She explained why knowing where you stand financially at the end of the year is important and she gave us some advice for making tax time a little easier. Her personal financial checklist includes reconciling your accounts, calculating your net worth, and downloading statements, receipts, and purchase histories from the year. She also recommends checking your beneficiaries for your various accounts to be sure they are still who you want them to be; she explained why you should have "payable upon death" designees for things like your checking accounts or even vehicle titles. She encouraged listeners to reach out to her with any questions or suggestions via email: Kpoff@vt.edu or phone: 540-635-4549. You can get more information about the Money Management Classes she offers on her website: https://warren.ext.vt.edu/programs/nsvfep.html

Our conversation today with Stacy Swain gave us details for new (and existing) programs that will happen in the new 4-H year. Stacy manages the Warren County 4-H program for Virginia Cooperative Extension. She told us about new programs that include a cooking series, Thanksgiving activity boxes, and a return to in-school programming in Warren County. We talked about summer camps and she explained how 4-H works, who can join and reminded everyone that there is no cost to be a member. For more details about the program, click here to visit their website and follow them on Facebook for updates.