Virginia farmers ready for a sweet strawberry season
Published Saturday, May. 8, 2021, 7:56 am
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Strawberry season is here, and farmers are eagerly welcoming guests and their strawberry-picking buckets.
“Consumers can expect a good fruit load on the plant, with flavorful, red berries,” said Dr. Jayesh Samtani, a small fruit specialist with Virginia Cooperative Extension. “We had a warmer November, which advanced plant growth and development. On some varieties, we could see a few ripe berries just before Christmas in coastal Virginia, but the winter season has kept the plants dormant, and this spring we are seeing good blooms and fruits.”
Prince George Master Gardeners affiliated with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, a Virginia Tech and Virginia State University partnership, were present sharing advice and knowledge with attendees. Ladies of Low Street Meanie and Feisty softened up a bit while listening to flutist Iris Schwartz perform.
According to Bobbie, the HPF selected the location for the event because it has a great yard and vantage point as well as high traffic volume. We want people to be aware and always remember the history of the Peter Jones Trading Station, said Bobbie.
HPF owns the Peter Jones Trading Station located at the most historic intersection in Petersburg just south of the Appomattox River: North Market Street and Grove Avenue.
Farmers Markets come back to Manassas and Prince William County [Photo: Prince William County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism]
Farmers’ markets are coming back to Manassas and Prince William County.
This year, Historic Manassas Inc. is hosting their Manassas Farmers Market during peak season, which will run through mid-November.
The Market is split between Thursdays at the Harris Pavilion in Historic Downtown Manassas and Saturdays at the Prince William Commuter Lot across from Baldwin Elementary School.
New vendors coming to the Manassas Farmers Market this year include:
Stoney Creek Cigars
Vazaroma Handcrafted Products
In addition, the Market also has a SNAP Program. It allows people with food stamps to use them to shop at the market. This happens through a grant that allows the Market to match those people with their dollar-for-dollar program.
CHATHAM, Va. â At their April 21, 2021 meeting, the Womack Foundation Board of Directors approved a total of $425,000 in grants to area organizations for the current grant cycle.Â
Established in 1963 by philanthropists Charles and Estelle Womack, the Womack Foundation supports a variety of programs that benefit residents of Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County, North Carolina.
The foundation primarily offers grants to organizations for the planning, implementation and development of programs that enhance and improve education and recreation for young people who would not otherwise be able to engage in such activities because of financial constraints.
Grants awarded include:
Danville Church Based Tutorial â $15,000;