King William & King and Queen Virginia Cooperative Extension

10/13/2026

Here we have a bag of hay, ready to send to the lab for analysis. Most folks with livestock rely heavily on hay to feed their critters during the fall and winter. Since hay is such a huge part of those animals' diet, it helps to have some information about its nutritional quality. That is something that our office can help with! In about a week after mailing this sample to the lab, we will receive a report for the farmer with the "nutrition facts" for this particular sample of hay.

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

Yesterday also found us assisting at the Middlesex Farm Day. This event happens every year for the third graders in Middlesex County. We supported the event by running the livestock station, where kids could learn about sheep and goats.

Other stations at the event included farm equipment, poultry, and forestry.

10/07/2026

Why on earth would we place a row of pans across a field like this? This is a low-tech way to check the calibration on a spreader. The pans are placed at a consistent spacing (one pan every 5 feet) and then the spreader is driven over them. The pans collect the fertilizer coming out of the spreader so that we can weigh it and figure out exactly how much fertilizer is being applied.

Most spreaders have a chart with recommended settings to spread a specific amount of fertilizer. By actually testing with these pans, we can see how accurate those recommendations are.

In this case, we helped the farmer discover that the spreader was applying less fertilizer than he intended. We also discovered that the spreader was not spreading the fertilizer in as wide of a swath as he expected.

A few hours in the field taking some measurements and doing some math helped this farmer make more accurate fertilizer applications and will improve the health of the wheat crop that will be planted soon!

10/05/2026

Happy National 4-H Week! We'll share new 4-H information and exciting updates throughout the week.

Today, you can join us and "go green" for 4-H! Post your photos wearing your favorite 4-H green in the comments, and share your best 4-H memories with us.

10/02/2026

This morning's adventures found us doing a consultation for pasture management. This little guy had the best time following me around while I was pulling soil samples. He was pretty certain that I had treats or at least something edible in my pockets. Despite his thorough search, there were no snacks to be found!

09/25/2026

This morning found us at King William High School coaching the crops judging team. This was our last practice session before the competition at the state fair next week! Wish 'em luck!

09/24/2026

Have you seen our posts and thought to yourself, "That looks like fun"? Well, good news! The Essex and Middlesex offices are hiring a 4-H/Youth Development agent to serve those two counties.

Full details and the application can be found here:

https://jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/associate-extension-agent-4-h-youth-development-essex-middlesex-tappahannock-virginia-virginia-united-states

09/23/2026

Do you know a young person interested in wildlife food plots? If so, here's a great opportunity for them!

Our friends over at Three Rivers Soil and Water Conservation District are currently accepting applications for their youth wildlife food plot competition.

Students ages 9-12 (Junior Division) and 13-18 (Senior Division) in King William, King and Queen, and Essex counties are invited to participate.

You better move quick; applications are due next week, September 30th.

More info and applications are available on their website:
https://www.trswcd.org/uncategorized/wildlife-food-plot-competition-applications-are-open/

If you have any questions, reach out to Anne Davis: [email protected]

09/22/2026

A view from the combine as we harvested our research plot in King William yesterday. We'll get that data processed later this week...we're busy teaching a pesticide safety class today and tomorrow. It's a busy time of year in the Middle Peninsula!