Virginia Cooperative Extension - Louisa County

05/24/2026

Join us for some on-farm forage education! Each program will be held from 6-8pm, precise farm locations will be sent to registered participants. To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSSFbjeqoYXct-LmvMiwqwKv9ceNe_B7U_sKdXtuH0bndezQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=104357921833072573228

04/10/2026

Source: Virginia Farm BureauBLACKSBURG, VA — Virginia farmers and landowners have a new opportunity this spring to be compensated for conservation practices that support soil health, pasture productivity and long-term farm resilience. Enrollment is open statewide for the Alliance to Advance Climat...

04/10/2026

Spring is here and so are buttercups! Buttercups are opportunistic and typically occur in pastures that are thin from over-grazing. The best way to prevent buttercups is to maintain a thick, healthy stand of grass. Talk to your local Extension Agent about soil testing and grazing management strategies to improve your pasture. If you decide herbicide is necessary, you’ll want to identify which type of buttercup you have in order to determine the best time of year to spray. There are two main species of buttercup found in Virginia pastures: Tall buttercup is best targeted with fall herbicide application, where bulbous buttercup should be controlled by targeting actively growing plants throughout the spring and summer. Most broadleaf herbicides are very effective – make sure to use one labeled for use in pasture, and follow all label instructions. Buttercups are toxic in pasture (not in hay), but horses usually avoid eating them if other forage is available.

04/04/2026

Brown patches, snow mold, and saturated soil may have your lawn looking a little lackluster this spring, but according to Virginia Tech turfgrass specialist Mike Goatley, the biggest mistake people can make right now is rushing to “fix” a lawn that isn’t ready to grow.

Patience and preparation are the best ways to wait out your yard's woes, and now is a great time to do a soil test, sharpen mower blades, or make plans for fertilizing when your grass is ready.

Read more about preparing your lawn for the season ➡️ https://go.vt.edu/unocw

03/16/2026

03/11/2026

Plan ahead and protect your family’s future. Join us for an informative program on estate planning and settling estates with Louisa County Circuit Court Clerk Patty C. Madison and Crysti Hopkins from Virginia Cooperative Extension.
📅 March 17, 2026
⏰ 2 PM
📍 Louisa County Administration Building
1 Woolfolk Ave., Louisa (2nd Floor – VCE Meeting Room)
Topics include wills, heirs property, probate, power of attorney, and advanced medical directives.
📞 Register: 540-967-3422
📧 [email protected]

alt text (image description) Flyer for a Virginia Cooperative Extension program titled “Planning for the Future & Settling Estates.” The program covers wills, heirs property, settling estates, power of attorney, advanced medical directives, and probate. Speakers are Patty C. Madison, Louisa County Clerk of Circuit Court, and Crysti B. Hopkins, VCE FCS Extension Agent. The event is March 17, 2026 at 2 PM at the Louisa County Administration Building, 1 Woolfolk Ave., Louisa, VA, 2nd floor VCE meeting room. Register by calling 540-967-3422 or emailing [email protected].

02/14/2026

Free Food Safety Workshop – Hands-On Allergen Cleaning Training!

Join us for a FREE, hands-on workshop as part of an applied research project with Virginia Tech focused on the most effective cleaning protocols for allergen residue removal.

📍 Location: Carver Food Enterprise Center
9432 N. James Madison Hwy.
Rapidan, VA 22733

📅 Choose a session that works for you:
• March 9 | 11 AM – 12 PM
• March 9 | 6 PM – 7 PM
• March 11 | 11 AM – 12 PM
• March 11 | 6 PM – 7 PM

Perfect for food producers, households, volunteers, and anyone involved with feeding programs or food pantries.

Topics include:
✔️ Cleaning & sanitation basics
✔️ Proven methods for removing allergen residue
✔️ Allergen detection techniques
✔️ Food safety for freeze dryers

Participants will gain hands-on experience cleaning and testing for allergens, with practical skills you can use at home or in commercial kitchens.

Free to attend — come learn how to better prevent allergen cross-contact and keep food safe!

02/07/2026

🌱🎉 **TODAY’S THE DAY, GARDEN FRIENDS!** 🎉🌱

The **Garden Expo with Seed Share** is happening **TODAY** at **Louisa County Middle School**! 🌼

🕤 **9:30 AM – 12:30 PM**
📍 **Louisa County Middle School**

✨ What’s growing at the Expo?
🌱 Seed Swap (bring saved seeds if you have them—*not required!*)
🌻 Garden demonstrations & presentations
📚 Helpful garden publications
🧺 Garden basket raffles
🎁 Door prizes

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just planting your first seeds, this is a can’t-miss morning of garden fun. Grab a friend and come grow with the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners! 🌿💚

02/06/2026

Virtual Shepherd's Symposium February 24 and 25 from 7-9pm EST. Register for Zoom link at tinyurl.com/26sheepsymposium 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏

02/05/2026

Join us for the upcoming Beef Cattle Lunch & Learn series hosted on Tuesdays at the Country Cookin Depot in Orange! Register online here https://tinyurl.com/2026beefcattlelunchandlearn. For any questions, please contact Charles Rosson at the Louisa County office at 540-967-3422 or [email protected].