Virginia Cooperative Extension - Highland County

09/04/2026

The 2026 Highland County Fair, Virginia 4-H & FFA Youth Livestock Sale begins tomorrow at 2pm on the fairgrounds. First item to sell is the Commemorative 75th Anniversary Quilt followed by 18 Market Hogs, 10 Market Steers, 9 Feeder Steers, 33 Market Goats and 47 Market Lambs. More information on the livestock sale can be found in this year's Highland County Fair Guide.

09/04/2026

Today's Barn Talks at the Highland County Fair, Virginia is cancelled, but handouts about Lyme Disease are available in the Ag Ed Barn on the fairgounds. Thanks to those that attended our Barn Talks on Wednesday and Thursday. If interested in handouts from those speakers, email Kari at [email protected] for copies.

09/04/2026

Come to the Highland Farmers Market today from 3:30-6 (to even out all the great fair food you've been enjoying at the Highland County Fair, Virginia this week 🌭 🍿 🍬 🍦). These yellow tomatoes in the raised beds are ripe and ready for your summer sandwiches 🥪 😋. Visit the market vendors and help yourself to the ripe veggies in the raised beds. 🍅 👍

09/02/2026

Have fence law questions? Tom Stanley, VCE Rockbridge, is here to share Fencing info with you 👍 Highland County Fair, Virginia

08/31/2026

Have new ideas on how to use wool? Enter a digital poster in this contest, which opens tomorrow!

ENTRIES OPEN TOMORROW!

The ASI Reimagine Wool Digital Poster Contest wants to hear your ideas! Whether you’re a student, artist, engineer, entrepreneur, or simply someone with a creative vision – your concept could help shape the future of wool.

Start brainstorming now – entries open September 1, 2026.

For full contest rules & info: https://champ.ly/mKbYIxT0

08/27/2026

Farmers! If you'd like your hay analyzed (and entered into the contest) through this program, I need your core samples by Friday for shipping by the deadline. Call 540 468 2225 or email [email protected] with any questions.

Make sure to get your samples mailed soon! They need to be postmarked by September 1.

08/25/2026

A message from the Virginia Cattlemen's Association on beef imports.

08/24/2026

GROW is hosting a farmer-led webinar on how to make cover crops pay without the benefit of subsidies on Friday, August 28, at 11 a.m. ET. Two farmers from Ohio and North Carolina, along with Dr. Rob Myers, will discuss how taking advantage of cover crops’ nutrient, soil health, and w**d suppression benefits can overcome financial hurdles. 1.5 CCA CEU credits are offered after the live webinar for crop and nutrient management planners. Register at https://growiwm.org/join-a-grow-farmer-forum-on-making-cover-crops-pay-without-incentives/

08/19/2026

Have an insect you need identified? Reach out to the VCE office with samples or photos! We're happy to help :)

Quick story - We recently found two LARGE wasp/hornets (photo attached) in our garage. Having read about the recent discovery of "yellow-legged hornets" in North Carolina, we were wondering if they had indeed made their way into Virginia. Both insects had "yellow legs."

We contacted the Virginia Insect ID lab at Virginia Tech by email and they quickly identified the critters in the photo as "Eastern Cicada Killers," which was a relief to us. Eastern cicada killers are very common across Virginia. They’re one of the state’s largest wasps and are routinely seen in mid‑to late summer wherever there is well‑drained soil and plenty of cicadas.

FYI - VCE has a great fact sheet about Large Invasive Hornets online. It can be found at:

https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ENTO/ento-592/ento-592.html

If you have an insect that needs to be identified, don't hesitate to reach out to the Virginia Tech Insect ID Lab. Their webpage is at>> https://www.ento.vt.edu/idlab.html

Thanks to the bug gurus at VT!

08/19/2026