Three VABF Organic Summer Squash Production and Pest Management Field Trials

[Future Harvest - CASA]

Three free meetings at VA farms that will discuss pest management
methods for squash:

Twilight Meetings featuring VABF Organic Summer Squash Production and
Pest Management Field Trials
Wednesday July 11 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm - New Earth Farm in Virginia Beach
Wednesday July 18 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Paradox Farm in Lexington, VA
Wednesday July 25 - 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Parson Farm in Elberon, VA

The focus of these events will be the second season of the
Organic Summer Squash Production and Pest Management trials that VABF
is conducting, funded by a Specialty Crop Block Grant. Meetings will
be held at three farms whose trials include a trap crop - a highly
pest-attracting winter squash variety ('Blue Hubbard') used to divert
pests (squash bug, squash vine borer, cucumber beetle) from the
production crop (four varieties of summer squash) and allow botanical
pest control sprays to be applied to just the trap crop rather than
the whole field. All six participating farms will plant buckwheat and
oilseed sunflower to attract natural enemies of squash pests.
Project coordinator Charlie Maloney will attend each of these
events and will provide handouts with information on the project.

These events are free and open to the public.

Wednesday July 11 meeting is at John Wilson's New Earth Farm in
Virginia Beach.
Directions: From I-64 east or US 460 east, take I-264 east to
London Bridge exit, turn right at bottom of ramp. Stay on this road
until Dam Neck Road, turn left on Dam Neck, then right on London
Bridge again. Turn right on General Booth Blvd, left on Princess Anne
(at Nimmo Church and a 7-11). Stay on Princess Anne as it veers right
at a light, then turn left on Indian River Rd. Farm is one half mile
on right. Park out front. It is advisable to look at a map before
coming as some of the turns are tricky. Lost? Call John's cell,
757-536-6102.

Wednesday July 18 meeting is at Mitch and Cindy Wapner's Paradox Farm,
86 Moores Creek Rd, Lexington, VA.
Directions from north: take I-81 exit 191 onto I-64 west,
immediate exit onto Rt. 11 south, continue on Rt. 11 bypass to
stoplight, continue straight for 10 miles, initially on Rt 251 south,
then Rt 677; turn right on Moore's Creek Road, go 0.1 mi to first
driveway on right (#86).
Directions from south: Take I-81 to exit 168, turn left off
ramp, cross interstate to stop sign, right on Frontage Road and go 3
miles, left on Buffalo Road for 8 miles, Left on Spring Branch Road
for 3.5 miles to stop sign, right on Bluegrass Trail for 1.1 miles,
left on Moore's Creek Rd for 0.1 mi, then right into driveway at #86.
Lost? Call 540-460-2516.

Wednesday July 25 meeting is at Earrett Parson's Farm, 1409 Walkers
Road, Elberon, VA.
Directions from I-64: Exit onto Rt. 31 south, through
downtown Williamsburg to ferry across the James River (no charge).
Continue on Rt. 31 south for 7.1 miles, turn left on Runnymede Road
(Rt. 622) and go 4.0 miles. Turn right on Walkers Road (Rt. 605) and
go 0.9 miles; the farm is on the right.
Directions from Rt. 460: Turn north onto Rt. 31 in Wakefield
(about 30 miles southeast of Petersburg), go about 10 miles, turn
right on Runnymede Road, go 4 miles, right on Walkers Road and
continue as above. Lost? Call 757-207-3680.