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Virginia Cooperative Extension delivers practical, science-based information that you can trust, which supports the wellbeing and economic sustainability of individuals and communities throughout Virginia and beyond.
Featured publications
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From the Ground Up: Growing Figs in Colder Climates , resourceGrowing figs in marginal hardiness zones requires special care and technique. Virginia Cooperative Extension's Ed Olsen shares expert strategies for successfully cultivating these Mediterranean favorites in challenging climates.
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Timber Theft in Virginia , resourceWoodlands provide recreational opportunities, ecosystem services such as wildlife habitat and clean water, and can be an important source of income. Many landowners take careful steps to ensure that their property is managed to maximize these benefits. However, all of this work can be easily eradicated by one of Virginia’s most dreaded forest pests: timber thieves.
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How Drones (UAVs) Are Helpful in Today’s Agricultural Practices , resourceUAVs, also called drones, are emerging as a significant asset in the agricultural sector, supporting a range of applications that can enhance productivity and streamline farm management. This publication outlines several key uses of drones in Virginia agriculture.
Publications by topic
From articles on sustainable farming practices and food safety techniques, to guides on building strong communities and fostering leadership skills, Virginia Cooperative Extension offers a wealth of knowledge that can help you make informed decisions and improve your life. Explore the topics below.
- Virginia Market Maker – Your FREE Online Marketspace How to Register your Agribusiness(es)
- State Agency COVID-19 Resources for Community and Economic Development
- The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Agritourism
- Virginia Agritourism Conference: Agritourism in Virginia’s New Economy
- Taste of Farming: Agritourism
- All topic publications
- The Farm Safety, Health & Wellness Toolkit
- Are you a Beginning Farmer?
- Direct Sales: Certifying Market Scales
- Farmer Financial Health and Wellbeing Assessment: A Tool for Fostering Supportive Financial Conversations
- Best Practices to Managing Farm Financial Health and Wellbeing
- All topic publications
- Virginia Market Maker – Your FREE Online Marketspace How to Register your Agribusiness(es)
- Farm Stress and Grief in the Time of COVID-19: Strategies and Resources
- Physical Therapy: How to Meet the Needs of Farmers
- Best Practices to Managing Farm Financial Health and Wellbeing
- Small Farm Orientation: Checklist for a Beginning Small Farmer
- All topic publications
- Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part II: Introduction of Financial Systems for New and Beginning Farmers
- Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part I: Overview of Financial Systems for New and Beginning Farmers
- Farm Financial Risk Management Series Part III: Introduction to Farm Planning Budgets for New and Beginning Farmers
- Assessing the Economic Feasibility of Growing Specialized Apple Cultivars for Sale to Commercial Hard Cider Producers
- 2011 Virginia Farm Business Management Livestock Budgets
- All topic publications
- Overview of a Survey on the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Virginia Farms and Agribusinesses, Fall 2020
- What to Know About Taxes on USDA Disaster Grant Payments
- Predicting Tractor Diesel Fuel Consumption
- AgCache: An Innovative Marketing Tool for your Agribusiness
- Using Market Maker to Connect Virginia Meat Producers and Processors
- All topic publications
- Managing Prosperity: Estate and Retirement Planning for All Ages. Powers of Attorney
- Managing Prosperity: Estate and Retirement Planning for All Ages. Advance Medical Directives (Previously Called "Living Wills")
- Managing Prosperity: Estate and Retirement Planning for All Ages. Probate and the Probate Process
- Managing Prosperity: Estate and Retirement Planning for All Ages. Use of Conservation Easements in Estate and Conservation Planning
- Managing Prosperity: Estate and Retirement Planning for All Ages. Love, Marriage, and Divorce
- All topic publications
- Fruit Jam Safety Explained: Microbial Risks and Polyphenol Benefits for Processors
- Fruit Jam Safety Explained: Microbial Risks and Polyphenol Benefits for Processors
- Common Questions When Developing an Environmental Monitoring Program for a Food Facility
- Common Questions When Developing an Environmental Monitoring Program for a Food Facility
- Virginia Market Maker – Your FREE Online Marketspace How to Register your Agribusiness(es)
- All topic publications
- COVID-19 Resources for Virginia Farmers, Agribusinesses, and Cooperative Extension Agents and Specialists
- State Agency COVID-19 Resources for Community and Economic Development
- Ley de Ayuda, Alivio y Seguridad Económica por Coronavirus (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Tax Rebates)
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Tax Rebates
- Cormorant Predation of Commercial Catfish Aquaculture in the Mississippi Delta
- All topic publications
- Virginia Market Maker – Your FREE Online Marketspace How to Register your Agribusiness(es)
- AgCache: An Innovative Marketing Tool for your Agribusiness
- Using Market Maker to Connect Virginia Meat Producers and Processors
- Grain and Soybean Production and Storage in Virginia: A Summary and Spatial Examination
- Labels, Logos, and Brands - What's the Difference?
- All topic publications
- What to Know About Taxes on USDA Disaster Grant Payments
- Virginia Market Maker – Your FREE Online Marketspace How to Register your Agribusiness(es)
- Economic Contributions of the Virginia Seafood Industry and the Effects of Virginia Seafood Products in Retail Stores and Restaurants in 2023
- Methods and Procedures: Determining the Use Value of Agricultural and Horticultural Land in Virginia
- Virginia Retail Sales and Use Tax Regulations
- All topic publications
- Electric Fencing: How to Select and Install an Energizer
- Management Tips for Round Bale Hay Harvesting, Moving, and Storage
- Managing Legal Liability Series: Workers’ Compensation & Liability for Farmers’ Market Vendors & Owners (2020)
- Lighting and Marking Recommendations for Animal-Drawn Carriages, Buggies and Wagons
- Assistive Technologies in Agriculture
- All topic publications
- Sustaining America's Aquatic Biodiversity - Crayfish Biodiversity and Conservation
- Virginia Master Naturalist, American Naturalists
- Fertilizer: The Many Forms You Can Use
- Virginia Master Naturalist Basic Training Course: Biology, Ecology, and Management of Virginia’s Freshwater Fishes
- Sustaining America's Aquatic Biodiversity - Turtle Biodiversity and Conservation
- All topic publications
- An Introduction to Integrated Pest Management
- Myth-busting Integrated Pest Management for Extension Master Gardeners
- Accurate Application and Placement of Chemicals on Lawns
- Organic vs. Conventional (Synthetic) Pesticides: Advantages and Disadvantages
- Pesticide Storage & Disposal – A Quick Guide for Home Use
- All topic publications
- When to Fly a Drone for Accurate Corn Yield Potential Prediction
- How Drones (UAVs) Are Helpful in Today’s Agricultural Practices
- How to Become a Certified UAV (Drone) Pesticide Applicator in Virginia
- May 2023 Dairy Pipeline
- Potential of Controlled Traffic Farming for Enhanced Soil Health and Productivity
- All topic publications
- When to Fly a Drone for Accurate Corn Yield Potential Prediction
- How Drones (UAVs) Are Helpful in Today’s Agricultural Practices
- How to Become a Certified UAV (Drone) Pesticide Applicator in Virginia
- Drone the Unknown
- An Introduction to Precision Agriculture: An Educator's Guide to Agricultural Earth Observation
- All topic publications
- Pseudomonas spp.: A Practical Summary for Controlling Mastitis
- Mycoplasma spp.: A Practical Summary for Controlling Mastitis
- Prototheca spp.: A Practical Summary for Controlling Mastitis
- Escherichia coli: A Practical Summary for Controlling Mastitis
- Proteus spp.: A Practical Summary for Controlling Mastitis
- All topic publications
- Estimating Dry Matter and Nutrient Digestibility In Vivo with Markers
- Management Tips for Round Bale Hay Harvesting, Moving, and Storage
- Determining Forage Moisture Concentration
- Large Round Bale Safety
- Converting Pastures to Native Warm Season Grasses: Forage for Drought in Bedford County
- All topic publications
- Fertilizer: The Many Forms You Can Use
- Common Fertilizers Used in Virginia: Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium
- Common Fertilizers Used in Virginia: Secondary and Micronutrients
- Importance of Farm Phosphorus Mass Balance and Management Options
- Nitrogen Soil Testing For Corn in Virginia
- All topic publications
- Castration in the U.S. Swine Industry: Animal Welfare Implications and Alternatives
- Activity Lesson Plan for Proper Storage, Labeling, and Accounting for Medications
- Virginia Virtual Farm to Table: Pork
- Swine Production in Virginia: A Summary Using Data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture
- Enhancing Reproductive Performance by Boars Used for Pasture Mating
- All topic publications
- Dairy Pipeline July-August 2023
- Hurricane Recovery Zoom Series - Livestock Health
- Decreasing Preweaning Death Loss in Pigs: Key Management Considerations for Small-Scale Farmers
- Biosecurity: Five Steps to Protect Poultry from Avian Influenza (and Other Diseases)
- Catastrophic Livestock and Poultry Carcass Disposal
- All topic publications
- Does Dairy Manure Injection Affect Small-Grain Growth and Require Specialized Soil Sampling?
- Soil Test Note 17: Lawn Fertilization for Cool Season Grasses
- Soil Sampling For Residential Areas
- Virginia Tech Soil Testing Laboratory Website
- Soil Test Note 19: Vegetable and Flower Gardens (Supplement to Soil Test Report)
- All topic publications
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 8: Infiltration Practices
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 7: Permeable Pavement
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 5: Vegetated Roofs
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 4: Soil Restoration
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 3: Grass Channels
- All topic publications
- Managing Legal Liability Series: Workers’ Compensation & Liability for Farmers’ Market Vendors & Owners (2020)
- AgCache: An Innovative Marketing Tool for your Agribusiness
- Using Market Maker to Connect Virginia Meat Producers and Processors
- Connecting to Economic Development Resources: A Guide for Virginia Entrepreneurs
- The Entrepreneurial Mindset
- All topic publications
- A Longer Marketing Life for Blackberry and Raspberry Fruit
- Virginia Virtual Farm to Table: Strawberries
- Identification and Management of Spotted-Wing Drosophila in Virginia Berry Crops
- Small Fruit in the Home Garden
- Evaluation of a modified Cordon pruning system on a Primocane-fruiting Blackberry
- All topic publications
- Sustaining America's Aquatic Biodiversity - Crayfish Biodiversity and Conservation
- It All Starts with Your Soil …And Volunteers!
- Keeping the Spark Alive: Soil, Service, and Berries
- Nurturing Community, Soil Health, and Restorative Justice
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 8: Infiltration Practices
- All topic publications
- Sustaining America's Aquatic Biodiversity - Crayfish Biodiversity and Conservation
- Economic Contributions of the Virginia Seafood Industry and the Effects of Virginia Seafood Products in Retail Stores and Restaurants in 2023
- Common Diseases of Cultured Striped Bass, Morone saxatilis, and Its Hybrid (M. saxitilis x M. chrysops)
- Virginia Master Naturalist Basic Training Course: Biology, Ecology, and Management of Virginia’s Freshwater Fishes
- Sustaining America's Aquatic Biodiversity - Turtle Biodiversity and Conservation
- All topic publications
- Powell River Project - Creation and Management of Productive Minesoils
- Powell River Project - Reclamation of Coal Refuse Disposal Areas
- Powell River Project - Reclaiming Mined Lands as Industrial Sites
- Powell River Project - Enhancing Wildlife Habitat on Reclaimed Mine Lands
- Powell River Project - Foundations for Housing on Reclaimed Mined Lands
- All topic publications
- Healthy Streams - Forests and Floodplains
- Healthy Streams - Protecting Your Neighborhood Stream
- Virginia Master Naturalist Program Transformations
- Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Suppliers for Streamside Conservation Buffers
- Sustaining America's Aquatic Biodiversity - Crayfish Biodiversity and Conservation
- All topic publications
- Business Management Practices for Small to Medium Sized Forest Products Firms
- Pensamiento Lean: Ejemplos y Aplicaciones en la Industria de Productos de Madera (Lean Thinking: Examples and Applications in the Wood Products Industry)
- Measuring Site Index
- Thinning Hardwoods, Demonstration Woodlot
- All-Age Management, Demonstration Woodlot
- All topic publications
- Introduction to Soil, Conservation, and Place video series
- Soil, Conservation, and Place -- Gerald Garber of Cave View Farms
- What do I need to know to sell REFRIGERATED DIPS, SPREADS, DRESSINGS and SALADS, at the farmers market?
- Donating Food Through a Share Pantry
- COVID-19 Social Distancing Signage for Use at Farmers Markets
- All topic publications
- Fruit Jam Safety Explained: Microbial Risks and Polyphenol Benefits for Processors
- Common Questions When Developing an Environmental Monitoring Program for a Food Facility
- Enhancing the Safety of Locally Prepared Foods: What do I need to know to sell PACKAGED MEALS (refrigerated/frozen) at the farmers market?
- Edamame Processing: What Do I Need to Know?
- Donating Food Through a Share Pantry
- All topic publications
- Strategies to Control the Spread of COVID at Seafood Processing Plants: Employee Health
- Strategies to Control the Spread of COVID at Seafood Processing Plants: Social Distancing and Physical Barriers
- Strategies to Control the Spread of COVID at Seafood Processing Plants: Hand Washing and Personal Protective Equipment
- Strategies to Control the Spread of COVID at Seafood Processing Plants: Cleaning and Disinfection
- Strategies to control the spread of COVID at seafood processing plants: Shared Transportation and Housing
- All topic publications
- Balancing Life: Caring For Self While Caring for Others (and Secondary Trauma) Part 1 of 2
- Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Cabbage
- Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Beets
- Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Corn on the Cob
- Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Green Beans
- All topic publications
- Guidelines for Packinghouse Workstations TO PREVENT SPREAD of COVID-19
- Balancing Life: Food Safety at Home, Stores, Restaurants, and Gardens
- Expanding Food Safety Protocols in an Evolving Landscape of COVID-19 - Part 3
- Expanding Food Safety Protocols in an Evolving Landscape of COVID-19: Part 4
- Expanding Food Safety Protocols in an Evolving Landscape of COVID-19 - Part 1
- All topic publications
- Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Cabbage
- Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Beets
- Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Corn on the Cob
- Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Green Beans
- Eat Smart, Move More at Farmers Markets: Yellow Crookneck Squash (Summer Squash)
- All topic publications
- UNDERSTANDING CANCER: What we know about colorectal cancer
- Understanding Cancer: What We Know About Lung Cancer
- Understanding Cancer, What We Know About Breast Cancer
- UNDERSTANDING CANCER: What we know about cervical cancer
- Beware Millenials! Colon Cancer is on the rise in your generation
- All topic publications
- Direct Sales: Certifying Market Scales
- Markets, Planning & Operations - Amy's Garden - Summer 2015
- Implementing Pricing Strategies
- Cyber attacks in agriculture: protecting your farm and small business with cyberbiosecurity
- Cyber attacks in agriculture: protecting your farm and small business with cyberbiosecurity
- All topic publications
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 8: Infiltration Practices
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 7: Permeable Pavement
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 6: Rainwater Harvesting
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 5: Vegetated Roofs
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 4: Soil Restoration
- All topic publications
- Urban Water Quality Management–Residential Stormwater: Put It in Its Place. Decreasing Runoff and Increasing Stormwater Infiltration
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 12: Filtering Practices
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 11: Wet Swale
- Best Management Practice Fact Sheet 10: Dry Swale
- Hydrology Basics and the Hydrologic Cycle
- All topic publications
- FCS-151
- Aprendiendo juntos en familia: Los niños en edad escolar y el acoso escolar (Learning in Families Together: School-Age Children and Bullying)
- Discipline for Young Children: A Look At Discipline
- Families First-Keys to Successful Family Functioning: An Introduction
- Communicating with Young Children
- All topic publications
- Patriotic Gardens: How to Plant a Red, White and Blue Garden
- America's Anniversary Garden: A Statewide Corridor and Entrance Enhancement Program
- Virginia Virtual Farm to Table: Greenhouse and Nursery Ornamentals
- America's Anniversary Garden: Red, White, and Blue in Fall and Winter Gardens
- Garden Mums for the Home Garden
- All topic publications
- Tree Fruit in the Home Garden
- Growing Apples in Virginia
- Virginia Virtual Farm to Table: Hydroponic Salad Greens
- Fertilizing the Vegetable Garden
- Guía para cultivar una huerta de hortalizas en Virginia: Fechas de cultivo y cantidades recomendadas para plantar (Virginia’s Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide: Recommended Planting Dates and Amounts to Plant)
- All topic publications
- Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Suppliers for Streamside Conservation Buffers
- Lepidopteran Insecticide Menu for Vegetable Growers
- Control of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug with Insecticide-Treated Window Screens
- Temporary Grassing Options for Winter Soil Stabilization
- Mulching: Purpose, Benefits, and Essential Information
- All topic publications
- Identifying Water Stress in Container-Grown Plants
- Measuring Nursery Plant Water Use in Containers
- Lime Calibration for Soilless Media- A Tool for Greenhouse and Nursery Producers
- Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Suppliers for Streamside Conservation Buffers
- Mulching: Purpose, Benefits, and Essential Information
- All topic publications
- Impacts of COVID-19 on U.S. aquaculture, aquaponics, and allied businesses: Quarter 2 Results
- Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center
- Strategies to Control the Spread of COVID at Seafood Processing Plants: Employee Health
- Strategies to Control the Spread of COVID at Seafood Processing Plants: Social Distancing and Physical Barriers
- Strategies to Control the Spread of COVID at Seafood Processing Plants: Hand Washing and Personal Protective Equipment
- All topic publications
- Castration in the U.S. Swine Industry: Animal Welfare Implications and Alternatives
- Biomethane Production Technology
- Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agriculture
- Guidelines for In-House Composting Poultry Mortality as a Rapid Response to Avian Influenza
- Biomethane Production Technology
- All topic publications
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Healthy Meetings Initiative
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Healthy Meetings Initiative
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Healthy Meetings Initiative
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Healthy Meetings Initiative
- Virginia Cooperative Extension Healthy Meetings Initiative
- All topic publications
- Volunteer Application/Enrollment Long Form VA-114
- Virginia 4-H Standardized Code of Conduct For 4-H Programs/Events
- One Time/Occasional Volunteer Application/Enrollment Short Form VA-114S
- Formulario de Medicamentos Evento 4-H (4-H Event Medication Form)
- 4-H Youth Member Enrollment (short form)
- All topic publications
- Engaging Youth Voices: Session 2 - Youth Voice: A Key Component to Healing Communities
- 4-H Member Record Book Guide
- 4-H Extemporaneous Speaking Score Sheet
- 4-H Camp Emergency Driver and Vehicle Checklist
- Do I Still Use the Gavel if It's a Virtual Meeting? Tips for Successful Meetings and Parliamentary Procedures in the Age of Zoom
- All topic publications
- 4-H Adult Health History Report Form
- VT Policy Guidelines for Open vs. 4-H Horse Events
- Declaración de exoneración, renuncia e indemnización en la actividad equina (Equine Release, Waiver, and Indemnification Statement)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Equine Release, Waiver, and Indemnification Statement
- Risk Management Planning Worksheet for 4-H Programming
- All topic publications
Training and certification
- Spotted Lanternfly Training
- Agriculture certifications and training
- Certified Pesticide Applicators training
- Certified Fertilizer Applicator Training
- Spotted Lanternfly Training
- Agriculture certifications and training
- Certified Pesticide Applicators training
- Certified Fertilizer Applicator Training
- Natural Resources programs and training
- ServSafe® Food Safety training
- Virginia Master Gardeners training
- Master Food Volunteer Program
- Master Financial Education Volunteer Program