New Announcements

Join the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners for another exciting session in our Backyard Gardening for Kids series!

On August 8th, children will explore how to help pollinators while creating something special to take home. Kids will make their own pollinator baths to support bees and butterflies, and plant easy-to-care-for succulents they can grow and enjoy. It’s a perfect mix of creativity, learning, and caring for nature!

Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: 81 Louisa Avenue, Mineral, VA (Mineral Farmers Market)
Details:

• Open to all children
• Free to attend
• Hosted by Louisa Extension Master Gardeners

Come learn how small actions can make a big difference for our pollinators—and take home your own garden creations!

Note: If you are a person with a disability and desire assistance or accommodation, please notify the Louisa VCE office at (540)967-3422/TDD* during business hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.*TDD number is (800)828-1120.

Find the event link here!

Maymont will host a film screening of Flight of the Butterflies followed by a brief information session about the Mexico travel opportunity. The screening is free with admission to the nature center and there’s no obligation to travel to attend. Registration is recommended, but walk ups will be admitted as space allows. To register click here!

Old July Announcements

The Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC) at Virginia Tech brings together researchers and partners from diverse disciplines to develop science-based solutions that help prevent and reduce the impacts of invasive species. Our research spans all taxa and geographic regions – from microbes to mammals and from local landscapes to global systems.

Collaboration is at the core of what we do. Our network includes 97 affiliates representing 18 academic units, along with nearly 20 partners from state agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and private industry. In fact, many of the ISC’s graduate student projects are designed to answer the questions practitioners face every day: How do invasive species spread? Which management strategies are most effective? How can new technologies improve detection and response?

The ISC has grown to be one of the largest, most diverse single institutions in the world working on invasive species. However, our university funding will end in two years. You can support the ISC directly or reach out to discuss partnerships.

To learn more about faculty and student research, educational resources, and opportunities to get involved, visit us at invasivespeciesvt.org. You can also explore our past newsletters or subscribe to receive future updates.

Are you a tomato grower in the Southern U.S. Region? We want to learn about your interest and experience using compost on your farm or in your gardens. We’ve put together this regional survey to inform our future outreach and educational efforts. Your participation will help our extension faculty pursue interests and concerns you have! Please consider taking a few moments (5 to 6 minutes) to complete this brief (<15 questions) survey about compost use on your farm or garden.

Dr. Matt Bertucci at the University of Arkansas (bertucci@uark.edu) is the project lead. If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact Ro Windwalker, the University’s IRB Coordinator, at 479-575-2208 or irb@uark.edu. The goal of this project is to identify potential risks associated with compost use in tomato farms and gardens for growers in the southeast region. This project is sponsored by the Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center (SRMEC). Participation is voluntary, and choosing to or refusing to participate will not affect any other relationship with the University or the researchers in any way.

If you are interested, the brief survey can be found here!

Save the date: Leadership development training Oct 13 Arlington VA with a virtual option

Old June Announcements

The Biology of the Wild Solitary Bees:  Discover the fascinating world of wild solitary bees in this engaging 8-week webinar series designed for bee enthusiasts and anyone interested in pollinator conservation. Participants will explore the biology, ecology, and evolution of solitary bees through accessible, science-based presentations grounded in natural history and current research. Topics include bee diversity, life cycles, nesting behaviors, mating systems, foraging ecology, plant interactions, and the many environmental threats affecting bee populations in a changing world. This series will deepen participants’ understanding and appreciation of wild solitary bees while providing practical knowledge to support pollinator stewardship and conservation efforts.

Weekly, September 15 – November 3, 2026, Sign Up for this webinar Here!

The Master Gardeners of Prince William County Plant Sale – Sep 5th, St. Benedictine Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA

• On the Saturday indicated above, and, if plants are still available, during any Saturday-in-the-Garden program.
• An expected plant list is found online. More info about the event can be found here!
• CASH & CHECK PAYMENTS ONLY

We have a new VCE policy about pesticide use by volunteers to reflect new legislation just signed into law this month. Volunteers are now exempt from required licensing if using herbicides on state land, with some stipulations. Previously the exemption only applied to locality land. See the revised policy here.

State Office Webinar Series All recorded webinars can be found by clicking here.

• August- Save the Date for Brambles with Jayesh Samtani August 20th 2:00-3:30

New Rapidan River Master Gardener Class Series – Carver Center, 9432 N James Madison Hwy, Rapidan, VA 22733

• We’re excited to share that the Rapidan River Master Gardeners are planning a 2026 class series! Visit our website for class details and registration. All classes are open to the public. Click here for more information on the event.

New Announcements

The Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC) at Virginia Tech brings together researchers and partners from diverse disciplines to develop science-based solutions that help prevent and reduce the impacts of invasive species. Our research spans all taxa and geographic regions – from microbes to mammals and from local landscapes to global systems.

Collaboration is at the core of what we do. Our network includes 97 affiliates representing 18 academic units, along with nearly 20 partners from state agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, and private industry. In fact, many of the ISC’s graduate student projects are designed to answer the questions practitioners face every day: How do invasive species spread? Which management strategies are most effective? How can new technologies improve detection and response?

The ISC has grown to be one of the largest, most diverse single institutions in the world working on invasive species. However, our university funding will end in two years. You can support the ISC directly or reach out to discuss partnerships.

To learn more about faculty and student research, educational resources, and opportunities to get involved, visit us at invasivespeciesvt.org. You can also explore our past newsletters or subscribe to receive future updates.

Backyard Gardening for Kids – Making Grass Heads in Face Pots!
Join us for another creative and hands-on session in our Backyard Gardening for Kids series!
In this fun activity, children will create their very own “grass head” by planting grass seeds in face pots—then watch as their creation grows a head of “hair” over time! It’s a playful way to learn about plant growth while getting creative.

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: 81 Louisa Avenue, Mineral, VA (Mineral Farmers Market)

Details: Open to all children, Free to attend, Hosted by Louisa Extension Master Gardener, Come join us for a morning of creativity, learning, and growing fun!

Click on the Event Link Here!

Are you a tomato grower in the Southern U.S. Region? We want to learn about your interest and experience using compost on your farm or in your gardens. We’ve put together this regional survey to inform our future outreach and educational efforts. Your participation will help our extension faculty pursue interests and concerns you have! Please consider taking a few moments (5 to 6 minutes) to complete this brief (<15 questions) survey about compost use on your farm or garden.

Dr. Matt Bertucci at the University of Arkansas (bertucci@uark.edu) is the project lead. If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact Ro Windwalker, the University’s IRB Coordinator, at 479-575-2208 or irb@uark.edu. The goal of this project is to identify potential risks associated with compost use in tomato farms and gardens for growers in the southeast region. This project is sponsored by the Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center (SRMEC). Participation is voluntary, and choosing to or refusing to participate will not affect any other relationship with the University or the researchers in any way.

If you are interested, the brief survey can be found here!

Save the date: Leadership development training Oct 13 Arlington VA with a virtual option

Old June Announcements

The Biology of the Wild Solitary Bees:  Discover the fascinating world of wild solitary bees in this engaging 8-week webinar series designed for bee enthusiasts and anyone interested in pollinator conservation. Participants will explore the biology, ecology, and evolution of solitary bees through accessible, science-based presentations grounded in natural history and current research. Topics include bee diversity, life cycles, nesting behaviors, mating systems, foraging ecology, plant interactions, and the many environmental threats affecting bee populations in a changing world. This series will deepen participants’ understanding and appreciation of wild solitary bees while providing practical knowledge to support pollinator stewardship and conservation efforts.

Weekly, September 15 – November 3, 2026, Sign Up for this webinar Here!

The Master Gardeners of Prince William County Plant Sale – Sep 5th, St. Benedictine Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA

• On the Saturday indicated above, and, if plants are still available, during any Saturday-in-the-Garden program.
• An expected plant list is found online. More info about the event can be found here!
• CASH & CHECK PAYMENTS ONLY

We have a new VCE policy about pesticide use by volunteers to reflect new legislation just signed into law this month. Volunteers are now exempt from required licensing if using herbicides on state land, with some stipulations. Previously the exemption only applied to locality land. See the revised policy here.

Old Announcements

State Office Webinar Series All recorded webinars can be found by clicking here.

• July- Save the Date for European Pears with Ashley Thompson July 23rd 2:00-3:30 Register Here!
• July- Save the Date for Butternut Trees with Mia Murray July 9th 10:00-11:15 Register Here!
• August- Save the Date for Brambles with Jayesh Samtani August 20th 2:00-3:30

New Rapidan River Master Gardener Class Series – Carver Center, 9432 N James Madison Hwy, Rapidan, VA 22733

• We’re excited to share that the Rapidan River Master Gardeners are planning a 2026 class series! Visit our website for class details and registration. All classes are open to the public. Click here for more information on the event.