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2026 Statewide AREC Event Calendar

A collage of photos showing various field day events, including a drone demonstration, people talking alongside fields, and wagons with striped awnings

Virginia Tech’s 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs) host annual events that showcase the discoveries and practices shaping the future of Virginia agriculture. Located across the commonwealth, the ARECs connect Virginia Tech researchers with the communities they serve, partnering with farmers, industry, and government to solve real‑world challenges and deliver research‑based solutions through Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Join us for AREC field days, open houses, and other events throughout the year.

01/09/2026 - Crop Conference/Pesticide Recertification

  • at Southern Piedmont AREC 2375 Darvills Rd, Blackstone, VA 23824
  • 7:30 AM - 5 PM
  • Recertification of different licenses for pesticide handling

01/21/2026 - Beef & AAC Meeting

01/22/2026 - Tobacco/GAP Meeting

  • at Old Dominion Ag Complex 19783 US-29 g, Chatam, VA 24531
  • 4:30 PM - 8 PM
  • Annual GAP training and tobacco update

01/23/2026 - Tobacco/GAP Meeting

  • at Southern Piedmont AREC 2375 Darvills Rd, Blackstone, VA 23824
  • 8 AM - 2 PM
  • Annual GAP training and tobacco update


01/27-29/2026 - Come to the Bay Turf Conference

  • at Hampton Roads AREC 1444 Diamond Springs Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
  • 8 AM - 4 PM
  • Turf educational program

01/27-30/2026 - 2026 VFGC Winter Conferences

  • Multiple locations and virtual, see website for additional information
  • 8:50 AM - 2:30 PM

02/12/2026 - Alliance for Grassland Renewal: Producer Workshop, Part 1

  • Virtual
  • 7 PM - 9 PM
  • Click here for more information

02/18/2026 - Virginia Cotton Growers Annual Meeting

  • Regional Workforce Development Center Paul D Camp Community College, 100 North College Dr, Franklin, VA
  • 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Click here for more information

02/20/2026 - 2026 Southeast Virginia Field Crops Conference

  • Creeds Community Complex, 1057 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23457
  • 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Register here

02/24/2026 - Ornamental Pesticide Meeting

  • Southern Piedmont AREC 2375 Darvills Rd, Blackstone, VA 23824
  • 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Ornamental Category 3A & Exam (Pesticide)

02/24/2026 - Turf Pesticide Meeting

  • Southern Piedmont AREC 2375 Darvills Rd, Blackstone, VA 23824
  • 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Ornamental Category 3B & Exam (Pesticide)

02/24/2026 - Virginia Peanut Production Meeting

  • Regional Workforce Development Center Paul D Camp Community College, 100 North College Dr, Franklin, VA
  • 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
  • More info here

02/25-26/2026 - Agroforestry Trainings for Natural Resources Professionals

02/26/2026 - Alliance for Grassland Renewal: Producer Workshop, Part 2

  • Virtual
  • 7 PM - 9 PM
  • Click here for more information

 

 

 

3/17/2026 - Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) meeting 

  • 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • at Southern Piedmont AREC, 2375 Darvills Road, Blackstone, VA 23824
  • contact Kimberly at kfj21@vt.edu or 434-542-5884 to RSVP

03/20/2026 - Soil Fertility and Crop Nutrition Workshop and Cover Crop Field Tour

  • Tidewater AREC 6321 Holland Rd, Suffolk, VA 23437
  • 8 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Click here for event page and registration

03/21/2026 - Fairfax SWCD Training Event

  • Middleburg AREC 5527 Sullivans Mill Rd, VA 20118
  • 10 AM - 1 PM
  • Training for soil and water agents on Equine pasture management and conservation practices

03/23/2026 - American National Cattlewomens Association Event

  • Middleburg AREC 5527 Sullivans Mill Rd, VA 20118
  • 9 AM - 5 PM
  • Regional ANCA event showcasing AREC work with surrounding farm tour

03/25/2026 - Beef Cattle Implant School & Chute-Side BQA

  •  Shenandoah Valley AREC 128 McCormick Farm Circle, Raphine, VA 24472
  • 4 PM - 8 PM
  • Beef Quality Assurance certification and continuing education opportunity with a focus on implants for beef calves

04/22/2026 - Precision Ag Tech Expo 2026

  • Tidewater AREC 6321 Holland Rd, Suffolk VA, 23437
  • 9 AM - 3PM
  • Precision input management for sustainable crop production
  • More information and registration link here

05/20/2026 - Mid-Atlantic Nursery Workshop

05/21/2026 - Virginia Small Grains Field Day

05/24-25/2026 - Hunt Country Stable Tour

  • Middleburg AREC 5527 Sullivans Mill Rd, VA 20118
  • 10 AM - 4 PM
  • Public showcasing facilities and general AREC programs. Click here for more information

06/03/2026 - Berry Field Day

  • Hampton Roads AREC 1444 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
  • 11 AM - 3 PM
  • Annual small fruit field day

06/20/2026 - Virginia Seafood Open House

06/25/2026 - 16th Annual Turfgrass Field Day

  • Hampton Roads AREC 1444 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
  • 7:30 AM - 4 PM
  • Weed and insect management, turf cultivar evaluation research will be showcased. Click here for more information



07/29/2026 - Southern Piedmont AREC Row Crop Field Day

  • Southern Piedmont AREC, 2375 Darvills Road, Blackstone, VA 23824
  • Beginning at 4:30 pm
  • More information coming soon

07/30/2026 - Virginia Ag Expo

  • Meadow Event Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd, Doswell, VA 23047
  • 7:30 AM - 2 PM
  • For more information, please visit: https://www.vaagexpo.com/

08/21/2026 - 2026 Cotton Growers' Field Day

  • Tidewater AREC, 1045 Hare Road location, Suffolk, VA 23437
  • 8 AM - 4 PM
  • More information coming soon

08/22/2026 - 51st Annual Virginia Performance Tested Ram Lamb Sale and Replacement Ewe Lamb Sale

 

09/10/2026 - Eastern Virginia AREC Soybean Field Day

10/03/2026 - 20th Annual McCormick Farm Mill Day

  • McCormick Farm, Shenandoah Valley AREC 128 McCormick Farm Circle, Raphine, VA 24472
  • 10 AM - 2 PM
  • Click here for more information

A map of Virginia with dots and photos idicating the locations of statewide agricultural research and extension centers