On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will host the 2023 Kentland Farm Field Day.
This event will highlight current research projects at Kentland Farm as well as focus on livestock and horticulture production. This year’s livestock track includes:
Small Ruminant Production and Parasite Resistance (Presented by Dr. Scott Greiner)- This session will focus on current management practices and research results related to parasite management in small ruminants.
Market Analysis (Tara & Aaron Helmick)- Learn about managing a high turnover livestock enterprise with beef and sheep, sell-buy livestock marketing, and real-world perspectives from a first-generation farm family.
Fencing Essentials (Jonathan Kidd, Pasture Systems)- This session will focus on rotational grazing infrastructure, wood post manufacturing and treatments, and an overview of fencing types available for livestock systems.
The horticulture track (presented by Lori Robertson, Dr. Tom Kuhar, Dr. Steven Rideout) will include information on:
Integrated Pest Management (Conventional and Organic)
Seasonal Cover Crops
High Tunnel Production
Flower Production, etc.
Speakers from VCE, Virginia Tech, and industry will also provide exhibits and demonstrations on soil health, invasive insects, weed identification, etc.
Kentland exists to support the research, teaching, and Extension programs of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which include many of Virginia’s major agricultural crop and livestock species. Programs are conducted at the farm by many different colleges and departments of the university, including Engineering, Science, Veterinary Science, and Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. The farm is rich in local history, and Virginia Tech has maintained that history through the manor house, enslaved people’s cemetery, Native American sites, and other early farm buildings.
Registration: $20 – includes lunch and ice cream
To register, call Pulaski County Extension (540-980-7761) or online at https://tinyurl.com/Kentland2023.
Submitted by the Virginia Cooperative Extension
