This is the thirtieth year of this ongoing annual project. Further work is planned for the upcoming 2023-2024 growing season. The demonstration and research plot results discussed in this publication are a cooperative effort by eight Virginia Cooperative Extension ANR agents, one retired agent, and the EVAREC superintendent. We are proud to present this year’s on-farm small grain plot work to you. We hope the information in this publication will help farmers produce a profitable crop in 2024.

These demonstration and research results are a collaborative effort of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Agents and Specialists, Virginia producers, and agribusiness. The purpose of this publication is to provide research-based information to aid in the decision-making process for soybean producers in Virginia. It provides an unbiased evaluation of varieties, management practices, and new technologies through on-farm replicated research using producer equipment and time. These experiments enable producers to make better management decisions based on research and provide greater opportunities to improve yields and profits, which improves quality of life for them and their families.

This webinar series is designed to support and explain each chapter of the Virginia Farm to School Toolkit, which was developed to guide VCE Extension agents, school division administrators, school nutrition professionals, educators, school garden coordinators, and others toward using farm to school practices as a means to increase equitable access to fresh, healthy, Virginia grown food while providing hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of educational settings. In this webinar, we are joined by several panelists who will share their experiences and processes for obtaining funds for farm to school projects and how to evaluate them.

This webinar series is designed to support and explain each chapter of the Virginia Farm to School Toolkit, which was developed to guide VCE Extension agents, school division administrators, school nutrition professionals, educators, school garden coordinators, and others toward using farm to school practices as a means to increase equitable access to fresh, healthy, Virginia grown food while providing hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of educational settings. In this webinar, our panelists will share about how they have navigated through the process of procuring local foods for local schools.

This webinar series is designed to support and explain each chapter of the Virginia Farm to School Toolkit, which was developed to guide VCE Extension agents, school division administrators, school nutrition professionals, educators, school garden coordinators, and others toward using farm to school practices as a means to increase equitable access to fresh, healthy, Virginia grown food while providing hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of educational settings. In this webinar, we are joined by several panelists, who will highlight some tangible ways food is being delivered and distributed as part of the farm-to-school value chain in Virginia.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Mentors Growers in GAP Certification Preparation is a series of six videos showcasing Virginia farmers and their stories of working with Virginia Cooperative Extension to have their farms become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. In this video, we speak with Michael Richard and Alex Fayler of Glenmary Farms, Bristol, VA, about their oscillating hydroponic system for growing strawberries and their culture of food safety.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Mentors Growers in GAP Certification Preparation is a series of six videos showcasing Virginia farmers and their stories of working with Virginia Cooperative Extension to have their farms become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. In this video, we speak with Carl Gupton, CEO of Greenswell Growers, about their automated nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system for growing lettuce and arugula, and how they have integrated food safety handling policies and practices as a central focus of their operation.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Mentors Growers in GAP Certification Preparation is a series of six videos showcasing Virginia farmers and their stories of working with Virginia Cooperative Extension to have their farms become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. In this video, we speak with Deborah Morton of Mor-Farms, Halifax County, VA, and how she is revitalizing the family farm where her forebearers grew tobacco in 1906. Growing a diversity of vegetable crops with field and high tunnel production, we discuss food safety practices and how extension can assist growers with their audits.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Mentors Growers in GAP Certification Preparation is a series of six videos showcasing Virginia farmers and their stories of working with Virginia Cooperative Extension to have their farms become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. In this video, we speak with Aaron Puckette of Puckette Farms, Campbell County, VA, about his field-grown produce for his Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and wholesale markets, and explain various aspects of assessing risks for a produce safety audit.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Mentors Growers in GAP Certification Preparation is a series of six videos showcasing Virginia farmers and their stories of working with Virginia Cooperative Extension to have their farms become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. In this video, we speak with Lorrie Barron of Wildwood Berries and Produce, Charlotte, VA. Lorrie shares about her high tunnel and field-grown vegetables and berries sold through farmer's markets and a regional wholesaler, and highlights the food safety policies and practices she incorporates to reduce hazards.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Mentors Growers in GAP Certification Preparation is a series of six videos showcasing Virginia farmers and their stories of working with Virginia Cooperative Extension to have their farms become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. In this video, we speak with Scott and Becky Ramsey of Wyndale Gardens, Abingdon, VA, about their aquaponic system used for growing blue Nile tilapia and leafy greens. The first Harmonized GAP aquaponics farm certified within Virginia, Scott and Becky share their insights and commitment to providing the safest product they can to their retail and school markets.

The On-Farm Variety and Research Publications are a collaboration between county agents, producers, crop specialists, and agribusinesses to provide research-based information on not only variety selection, but other management practices such as new cultivation, fertilization, planting, and harvesting practices of small grain. It is the intent of all the cooperators involved to provide an unbiased publication that provides assistance in variety selection as well as information related to other current small grain topics. This is the thirty-first year of this ongoing annual project. Further work is planned for the upcoming 2024-2025 growing season. The demonstration and research plot results discussed in this publication are a cooperative effort by eight Virginia Cooperative Extension ANR agents, one retired agent, and the Eastern Virginia AREC superintendent. We are proud to present this year’s on-farm small grain plot work to you. We hope the information in this publication will help farmers produce a profitable crop in 2025.

Virginia Cooperative Extension takes pride in the premise that vital programming is based on the issues, problems, and needs of the people. A thorough analysis of the situation provides context for understanding and addressing these problems. Each local office updates their situation analysis every 4-5 years. Click here to see the 2013 report.