Virginia Cooperative Extension - Patrick County

10/15/2026

Caring for someone with dementia? Register for one, two or all three upcoming workshops. You will be provided practical caregiving strategies to help with communication and reduced frustration. All three workshops are FREE to attend, but you must call us to register and save your space. Descriptions for each session are listed below. Call us at 276-694-3341 to register.

10/01/2026

Under Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s Executive Order 21, carriers transporting hay in any part of Virginia can receive temporary over-width exemption waivers to facilitate the movement of essential agricultural supplies of hay.

The over-width waiver will go into effect on October 1, 2026 and will remain in force for 30 days.

The prolonged drought has resulted in a 35% statewide loss in hay yields, with losses reaching 70% in some areas, creating a significant hay shortage for livestock producers.

If you are a producer and you need help finding hay or talking through alternative herd management decisions, reach out to your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

Find your local office: https://ext.vt.edu/offices.html

Governor Spanberger Declares State of Emergency to Support Virginia Farmers: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2026/september-releases/name-1123591-en.html

08/26/2026

08/24/2026

Does your livestock have what it takes to win? Or do you simply love animals? Join us at the 2026 Patrick County Agricultural Fair Livestock Shows and experience four exciting evenings showcasing some of the county's finest animals and exhibitors!

Tuesday Night
Horses on Display
Horseshoeing Demonstration

Wednesday Night
Swine Show begins at 6:00 p.m.
Beef Cattle Show follows

Thursday Night
Sheep Show begins at 5:00 p.m.
Goat Show follows
Fiber Demonstration

Friday Night
Poultry Show begins at 6:00 p.m.
Rabbit and Cavy Shows follow
Additional small animal exhibits

Whether you're cheering on exhibitors, learning about agriculture, or enjoying time with family and friends, there's something for everyone in the livestock barn!

For more information about the livestock shows visit:
https://www.patrickcountyfair.com/livestock-shows

08/04/2026

Good News!!! We were able to get a few more seeds to finish out the 2026 growing season!! Come on by the Blue Ridge Regional Library Patrick County branch to visit the seed library for some cool season seeds!!!

08/04/2026

Patrick County Cattlemens Association Meeting

Date: August 20, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Wayside Park
332 Wayside Park Road
Stuart, VA 24171

Dr. John Currin, Extension Veterinarian, will be giving a presentation on options for hay shortages

Ribeye Steak Sandwich & Sides: $10.00 per plate. For more information and to RSVP contact George Stovall at 276-694-3341 or [email protected]

07/23/2026

We had a blast at the first annual Summer Buddy Camp this week! The camp was a partnership with Patrick County Parks & Recreation to offer a day camp for youth with disabilities and/or special needs.

We had a day full of sensory fun and had the opportunity to learn all about goats, rabbits, and dog breeds!

07/21/2026

AUGUST DROUGHT MANGAEMENT WEBINAR HELD ON AUGUST 5TH

We will host our 3rd Emergency Drought Management Webinar on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 via Zoom. This webinar will cover government assistance programs, early weaning strategies, and planning ahead to manage hay shortages.

As drought conditions continue to affect portions of the Commonwealth, Virginia Cooperative Extension specialists and industry experts will discuss practical management strategies to help beef producers make informed decisions for their operations.

The first two Emergency Drought Management Webinars attracted producers from across Virginia seeking practical solutions to drought-related challenges. Previous sessions addressed topics including pasture and hay management, marketing your cattle, summer strategies for managing your cattle during drought, dealing with hay shortages, and drought outlooks for the cattle industry.

Recordings of previous Emergency Drought Management Webinars, along with additional resources, are available on the Virginia Tech Beef Extension website at https://sas.vt.edu/extension/vtbeef.html For additional information, please contact Emily Bowman at (540)231-2792 or [email protected].

07/16/2026

Rise and Shine Vendor Showcase – Dallas and Sophia Martin
Dallas and Sophia will be at the Stuart Farmers' Market representing the Rise and Shine Youth Entrepreneur program, July 17th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Dallas and Sophia will be serving up delicious homemade lemonade at the Stuart Farmers' Market! Come out and support Dallas and Sophia while shopping with all of the AMAZING Rise and Shine vendors. You'll find great local products, friendly faces, and plenty of reasons to spend your day at the market.

Stuart Farmers' Market
320 Chestnut Street
Stuart VA. 24171

07/14/2026