Farm Grayson County VA

13/08/2026

Coming up on Tuesday, August 11th - join us for two for hands-on learning experiences with VA Cooperative Extension Agents at Chilhowie Public Library! No experience is necessary and all supplies are provided.

🥕Pressure Canning | 1-4pm | Cost $10 per person
OR
🍇Water Bath Canning | 5:30 - 7:30pm | Cost $10 per person

🌀Registration is required and spaces are limited.
➡Call 276-646-3404 to reserve a spot.

13/08/2026

Soil to Shelf: Turning Farm Assets into Food & Beverage Brands 🌱🥫

Join regional partners on Thursday, August 27, at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon for a practical, one-day workshop designed for farmers, agricultural producers, and early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs.

The workshop will help attendees understand the path from farm assets and product ideas to licensed, market-ready food and beverage businesses. Sessions will cover production, business planning, licensing, food safety, grants, loans, workforce, processing, distribution, and retail readiness.

The day will include short presentations, local business examples, and an interactive resource marketplace where attendees can ask specific questions and connect directly with support organizations.

🔗Link to Register:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=MXUOitwgp0m4jraIQMpBaMATIVEBvV5AkJ0BKEQUlCdUNVBFSU1PT1k3UlE3UTVCQk5MSUVaVldOWS4u&route=shorturl

28/07/2026

🍅 Volunteers Needed: Help Us Process Green Beans & Tomatoes for Grayson County Schools! 🫘

The Grayson County Farm to School Initiative is back at it, turning fresh, locally grown produce into meals our students will enjoy all year long!

This round, we're processing green beans and tomatoes to freeze for future school menu items — and we can't do it without extra hands. Whether you can spare one shift or all three days, every bit of help counts!

📅 When: Wednesday 7/29, Thursday 7/30, & Friday 7/31
🕘 Shifts: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Where: GATE Center Kitchen, 122 Davis St, Independence, VA

No experience needed — just come ready to work and enjoy some good company! Kids, friends, and neighbors are all welcome.

📞 To sign up, call the Grayson County Extension Office at 276-773-2491 and let us know which day(s) and shift work for you.

Let's help stock our school's freezer with the best of the Grayson County summer harvest (Thanks Fishel Organics and Reyes Nature Farm!)

20/07/2026

🌱 Volunteers Needed: Help Us Snap Green Beans for Grayson County Schools! 🌱

The Grayson County Farm to School Initiative is working to bring more fresh, locally grown food to our students' cafeteria trays — connecting local farms to local kids, one meal at a time!

We need volunteers to help us process a batch of fresh green beans for freezing, so they can be served in a future school meal. Many hands make light work, and it's a fun way to get involved with a great cause!

📅 When: Thursday, 7/23/26 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Where: GATE Center Kitchen, 122 Davis St, Independence, VA

No experience necessary — just bring your hands and a friend if you'd like!

📞 To sign up, call the Grayson County Extension Office at 276-773-2491.

We'd love to have you join us!

13/07/2026

Don't miss the Food Preservation Conference being held in Wytheville on Saturday, August 1st! Register by July 24th. https://pears.io/events/vce/4675/

04/06/2026

02/06/2026

Composting 101: Basics & Benefits of Backyard Composting
📅 Date: June 9
🕛 Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
💻 Location: Online (link provided after registration)

Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0CblthkpQbuSsChPkoEvjg

01/06/2026

It's almost canning season! If you are canning meats, vegetables, or other low-acid foods, you MUST use a pressure canner and follow science-based and tested recipes to prevent Botulism, a dangerous and deadly illness. Only use instructions and recipes from sources such as the USDA, National Center for Home Food Preservation, or Cooperative Extension. Contact your local Extension office with questions or to inquire about upcoming classes.

Homemade food canned or preserved by someone who is incompetent or lacks experience, or education, is the most common source of foodborne botulism.