Virginia Cooperative Extension - Rockingham

10/09/2026

Thanks to Dr. Yuan Zeng and her graduate student Kamal for their research Tar Spot plots in Rockingham County on a local farm. Plots were harvested today!

09/18/2026

SAVE THE DATE
Private Pesticide Recertification Classes

Does your Virginia private pesticide applicator license expire in December? Plan now to attend one of these recertification opportunities. *Paper mailing to be sent out in October!

Class Schedule:

Highland County
November 4, 2026 • 6:00 PM

Rockingham County
November 11, 2026 • 9:00 AM

Rockingham County
November 18, 2026 • 1:00 PM

Augusta County
November 23, 2026 • 6:00 PM

Rockingham County
December 3, 2026 • 6:00 PM

Rockbridge County
December 8, 2026 • 6:00 PM

Augusta County
January 5, 2027 • 1:00 PM

To register, contact the Highland, Rockingham, Augusta, or Rockbridge County Extension Office. Questions? Email [email protected]

08/31/2026

With the start of harvest season upon us, also comes the decisions for next year's seed selection. Producers in Rockingham County attended a silage test plot twilight meeting put on by local farmers and seed rep companies to showcase corn varieties. Looking at Bt traits for next year? Here's a helpful corn Bt trait table:https://www.texasinsects.org/uploads/4/9/3/0/49304017/2025c_bttraittable_march_21.pdf

07/16/2026

TAR SPOT CONFIRMED IN VA

Virginia Tech, Dr. Yuan Zeng, has confirmed the presence of Tar Spot in corn samples submitted from Virginia for the 2026 season. Growers are encouraged to begin scouting fields. We are in a moderate risk for the Shenandoah Valley as of today, but it will increase as corn continues to enter the reproductive life cycle stage. NO NEED TO PANIC, currently severity is low in locations confirmed, but that will change quickly with favorable weather conditions and reproductive stages of corn VT-R3.

What to look for:
• Small, raised black spots that cannot be rubbed off the leaf surface
• Lesions resemble flecks of black tar splattered on leaves
• Symptoms often first appear on lower leaves but can rapidly move throughout the canopy
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/SPES/spes-812.html

Conditions that favor Tar Spot:
• TEMPERATURE generally between 60°F and 75°F with high humidity
• Frequent rainfall, heavy dew, and cloudy conditions
• Extended period of leaf wetness
• Dense canopies that remain wet for extended periods

Growth stages at greatest risk:
Tar Spot can infect corn at any growth stage, but the greatest yield impacts typically occur when infection develops between VT (tasseling) and R3 (milk stage). Fields entering or currently in reproductive stages should be monitored closely.

Tools Available:
The Crop Protection Network has a Crop Risk Tool and Crop Disease Lookout Interactive Map
https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/tools

What growers should do now:
• Scout fields regularly, especially those approaching tasseling and grain fill
• Prioritize fields with a history of Tar Spot, continuous corn production, or high-residue systems
• Consider fungicide applications based on disease presence, crop growth stage, weather forecasts, and economic return potential
• Submit suspect samples for confirmation

FREE Tar Spot Testing Available
To submit samples:
• Collect at least 5 symptomatic leaves
• Place leaves in a sealed gallon-size Ziploc bag
• Ship Monday through Wednesday
• Two-day shipping is sufficient; overnight shipping is not required
*Shipping is the responsibility of the sender

Contact your local ANR Extension Agent for questions or to submit samples.

Questions?
Contact Rockingham County ANR Crop Agent Rosemary Life ([email protected])

Early detection and timely management decisions are critical for protecting yield potential. Please share this information to help Virginia corn producers stay informed.

06/16/2026

06/12/2026

Spend some time in Downtown Harrisonburg Saturday, June 13th, during Harrisonburg's Best.Weekend.Ever.
We're helping bring the Farm to the City!

06/05/2026

Soybeans looking thin or chewed up? This spring’s dry start and then cool, wet stretch created perfect slug weather — and we’re hearing about it across the area.

Before you replant, check out the article below or contact your local Extension office or field rep to talk through next steps.

https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/SPS/SPS-104-W.pdf

*Photo taken in Rockingham County

06/03/2026

Pesticide Prep Course!
The 2026 Pesticide Prep Course is happening July 1st, 8AM-3PM at the New Market Fire and Rescue Hall. $40/person with lunch provided.

Pre-register by calling the Rockingham Extension Office at 540-564-3080 or emailing Jason Cooper ([email protected]).

The VA Core Pesticide Manual will be covered throughout the day and end with pesticide exams. Order pesticide applicator training manuals and study before the class. Books can be ordered by visiting: https://vtpp.ento.vt.edu/index/manuals.html

*Commercial applicators must request ahead of time an authorization letter to take the exam. Only core exams will be given the day of this course.
To learn more visit: vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticides.shtml

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Jason Cooper, Rockingham Extension at (540-564-3080/TDD*) during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120

05/28/2026

Preserving food at home is a wonderful way to extend your summer vegetable garden's bounty throughout the year, but it is important to follow all recommended safety protocols to avoid illness and spoilage.
Read our article from associate Extension specialist Lester Schonberger to learn more about pickling, canning, dehydrating, and freezing your garden harvests safely ➡️ https://go.vt.edu/upp2o

05/28/2026

*Webinar*

Grant Writing for Small and Beginning Farmers

Thursday, June 2, 2-3 pm

Marian Dalke
State Program Assistant, Virginia SARE
Small Farm Agent, VSU Small Farm Outreach Program
Virginia Tech

Learn tips and tricks about how to apply for grants to support your farm. This workshop will cover available grant opportunities from federal and state agencies, as well as foundations that can give your farm a financial boost to become successful. Presented by Marian Dalke, Virginia SARE and VSU Small Farm Outreach Program Assistant

Please REGISTER for this virtual event: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NJuUGr7vQmeRRObbDOxRYA #/registration

For more information reach out to Katie Trozzo at [email protected]

If you are a person with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Katie Trozzo at [email protected] or (540) 232-2233 at least 10 days prior to the event.