2007 PRESS RELEASES

June 19, 2007
FREE WORKSHOP/FIELD DAY ON CUT-FLOWER AND NO-TILL VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
JULY 18
Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm, 804.786.7686

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), along with Virginia Cooperative Extension, invites farmers interested in income opportunities through cut-flower production to a free educational workshop on July 18, 2007, at Dayspring Farm in Cologne, Virginia.

Participants will learn about cut flower production systems, including species, varietal and cultural information, and marketing strategies.  In addition to information about flower production, the field day will also address no-till vegetable production. Dayspring Farm has recently participated in a no-till production trail sponsored by the Southern Region Sustainable Research and Education program (SARE) and the Virginia Association for Biological Farming (VABF). Producers will tour the farm and learn about no-till vegetable production utilizing cover crops with examples of several vegetable systems at Dayspring Farm.

Dayspring Farm is a small-scale diversified vegetable, fruit, and pastured poultry operation consisting of about 18 farmed acres. Most of the farm’s sales are through direct marketing channels, including a 155-member subscription (Community Supported Agriculture or CSA) and several local restaurants.  With the help of Andy Hankins, an Alternative Agriculture Extension Specialist, the farm recently diversified even further, increasing its cut-flower production.

Hankins has been managing a research project, Production of Fresh Cut Flowers in Virginia, funded by VDACS’ Specialty Agriculture Research Grants program. The research project is aimed at increasing the profitability of farm operations in Virginia by helping farmers establish cut flower plots as part of a diversified farm operation.

For additional information, contact Charles Green in VDACS’ Office of Ag Development Services at 804.225.4539.