National Ag Day Celebrated

March 8 is the 39th anniversary of National Ag Day organized by the Agriculture Council of America. It is celebrated so that everyone can appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “Agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry by far, with nothing else coming a close second.  The industry has an economic impact of $55 billion annually and provides more than 357,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.”

Agriculture plays an essential role in maintaining a strong economy. The following are agricultural statistics compiled from website citydata.com, comparing agriculture in Amelia, Nottoway and Prince Edward Counties for year 2009:

Average size of farms: P.Ed. Co.  200 acres / Nottoway 175 acres / Amelia 200 acres

Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: P. Ed. Co. $29,914 / Nottoway $67,343 / Amelia $113,163

Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: P. Ed. $163.65 / Nottoway $131.79 / Amelia $146.96

The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: Prince Edward 8.21% / Nottoway 0.85% / Amelia 0.13%

The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: Prince Edward 77.64% / Nottoway 90.92% / Amelia 93.46%

Average total farm production expenses per farm: Prince Edward  $27,645 / Nottoway- $47,149 / Amelia-$94,398

Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: Prince Edward 20.48% / Nottoway 26.49% / Amelia 25.19%

Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: Prince Edward 3.24% / not listed / not listed

Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: Prince Edward $34,336 / Nottoway $33,097 / Amelia $33,059

The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: Prince Edward 93.67% / Nottoway 92.405 / Amelia 90.57%

Average age of principal farm operators: Prince Edward 60 years / Nottoway 58 / Amelia 58

Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: Prince Edward 16.26 / Nottoway 22.84 / Amelia 16.95

Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: Prince Edward 4.77% / Nottoway 7.96% / Amelia 14.87%

Corn for grain: Prince Edward 609 harvested acres / Nottoway 514 HA / Amelia 1406 HA

All wheat for grain:Prince Edward 268 harvested acres / Nottoway and Amelia – not listed

Soybeans for beans: Prince Edward 0 / Nottoway 730 harvest acres / Amelia 5,984 HA

Vegetables: Prince Edward 55 harvested acres / Nottoway and Amelia- not listed

Land in orchards: Prince Edward 14 acres / Nottoway 42 acres / Amelia 6 acres

Cost-Share to Report Voluntary Stream Fencing & No-till

Agricultural producers who have fenced their cattle out of streams or ponds, or are practicing continuous no-till planting on their farms, and have not received cost-share assistance from the Piedmont SWCD for these practices in the past, are encouraged to contact the Piedmont SWCD to find out if they qualify.  Possible financial incentives are available for farmers to report these best management practice applications on their farms.   Contact our field staff at 434.392-3782 ext 116 for Kevin Dunn, ext.134 for Charlie Wootton,  and ext.132 for Whitney Foster.

Radio Spot-Feb 8

Listen to the voice of conservation on WFLO am dial on February 8 – Noonish.  The Piedmont SWCD’s own Charlie Wootton will share some thoughts on best management practices in Prince Edward County.

$1,000 Education Scholarship

Are you a senior  from Amelia, Nottoway or Prince Edward County and have an active interest in conservation? Consider applying for the Piedmont SWCD’s  $1,000 Education scholarship!  The applicant must be a full-time student enrolled in or who has applied to a college level curriculum and rank in the top 20% of their graduation class or have a 3.0 or greater Grade Point Average.   Pick up your application from your high school guidance counselor, or from the Piedmont SWCD office at 100 Dominion Drive in Farmville.  Applications are due to the Piedmont SWCD by March 2 when they will be reviewed by the Board for approval.

Youth Conservation Camp Scholarship Available

The Piedmont SWCD is sponsoring scholarships, valued at $550.00 each, for two young people to attend Youth Conservation Camp at Virginia Tech 8-14.  Students enrolled in grades 9-12 during the 2011-2012 academic year and residing in Amelia, Nottoway or Prince Edward counties are eligible to attend.  Contact the Piedmont SWCD office for an application by calling 434.392-3782 ext131 or visit the VASWCD website for camp highlights at http://www.vaswcd.org

Farmers -We Want to Meet You!

Are you a farmer?  We want to meet you!

Agricultural Producers  from Amelia, Nottoway or Prince Edward Counties are invited to attend a Partners’ Meeting that includes a  complimentary supper provided by the Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District.   Hear important conservation program updates from VA Cooperative Extension, Piedmont SWCD, NRCS, Department of Forestry, and Farm Service Agency.

Tuesday, January 31, 6:30 pm at the Prince Edward County Natural Resources and Ag Building in Farmville-Register by Friday, January 27.

Tuesday, February 7, 6:30 pm, Amelia Presbyterian Church, Amelia, VA-Register by Friday, Febrruary 3

Thursday, February 16, 6:30 pm, Southern Research Station, Blackstone, VA- Register by Tuesday, February 14.

This event is free, but please call to register for supper by calling Whitney Foster at 434.392-3782 ext 132.

Rain water harvesting pilot project video

Want to learn more about harvesting rainwater?  Check out this video VIDEO.

Piedmont SWCD’s District Manager receives Merit Award

The Virginia Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society recognized Piedmont SWCD District Manager Deanna Fehrer at their meeting October 20 in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Ms. Fehrer and six others  were lauded  “For their proactive partnership effort to address water resource concerns on Virginia poultry farms with a pilot rainwater harvest system and promoting its benefits through field tours for the area growers.”

This picture of the field tour organized by the Piedmont SWCD shows tour participants looking into one of the rainwater harvesting tank openings.

2011 Award Winners Announced

The Piedmont SWCD 2011 conservation award winners were presented at the Farm Bureau Annual Meetings in Amelia, Nottoway and Prince Edward Counties.  For pictures and details see -Agriculture /Conservation Awards from above menu line.

Pasture Renovation Field Workshop 9-9-11

Pasture owners who want more from their pastures and desire to protect their investment should plan to attend the Pasture Renovation Field Workshop scheduled for Friday, September 9 from 6 pm to 8 pm. at a farm in the Rice area.

To register contact Prince Edward Extension at 434-392-4443.

Speakers: Eric Bowen, Cooperative Extension; David Smith, Cumberland Extension; Dennis Jones, NRCS, and Kevin Dunn, Piedmont SWCD.