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Events, Programs and Workshops
Now Available: Register Online
Annual and Seasonal Events
Annual and seasonal events occur once a year or for a seasonal timeframe. For example, the Farmers Market runs each year from May to September.
Winter Maker Market - Saturday, Dec. 9
Join Cooperative Extension for a winter maker market on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.! All vendors are local vendors who have made delightful crafts and delicious treats for you to shop. This event will also include food trucks. This event is free and free parking is available on site.
Calling Interested Vendors
If you are interested in being a vendor for the winter maker market, please contact the farmers market manager by email or by calling 804-751-4401.
Bumblebee Jamboree
Bumblebee Jamboree is metro Richmond’s premier National Pollinator Week event hosted by the Chesterfield County Master Gardeners and Virginia Cooperative Extension, along with other community partners tied to pollinator conservation. At this family-friendly event, children learn about the importance of bees, butterflies, birds, beetles and bats as they enjoy pollinator-related crafts, snacks and games, as well as other engaging actives. Adults can learn about native plants and other ways to encourage pollinators in their own backyards.
Date: 2024 date to be announced
Location: Maymont Park, Children’s Farm Entrance, 1000 Spottswood Ave., Richmond, VA 23220
Cost: Free and open to the public during Maymont’s hours.
For more information, visit us on our Bumblebee Jamboree Facebook page (@bumbleejamboree).
Chesterfield County Farmers Market
Virginia farmers markets are an important resource for communities to provide access to local fresh produce, food, horticultural goods and hygiene products. You also support local businesses by shopping at a farmers market. Visit the Chesterfield County Farmers Market Facebook additional information.
Thank You to Everyone Who Participated in the 2023 Season!
The Chesterfield County Farmers Market is typically held on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from mid-May to late September. During season, view the county calendar and visit the Chesterfield County Farmers Market Facebook for weekly updates and vendor lists.
Become a 2024 Vendor
Join us for the 2024 Chesterfield County Farmers Market! Those interested in being a 2024 farmers market vendor (or food truck for events on Chesterfield County property) should complete the vendor application which will be available in February 2024. For questions regarding farmers market applications, contact the farmers market manager.
Location
6707 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Virginia Farmers Markets
Looking for additional Virginia farmers markets? View the Virginia Farmers Market Association farmers market map, which contains date and time information for each registered farmers market.
Shopping Farmers Markets Benefits
Shop local because farmers markets:
- Have better taste and nutrition: Products are grown locally and picked at the peak of the season, making nutrients more abundant.
- Give opportunities to meet your farmers: The same people who grow the food sell their products and have a wealth of knowledge to share.
- Support local business: When you shop at local farmers markets, you’re keeping money in your own community going directly to the farmer.
First Saturdays in the Garden
Thank you to all for joining Chesterfield Master Gardeners during our 2023 First Saturdays in the Garden! In early 2024, we'll announce the schedule of dates and demonstration topics that will be available at the Cooperative Extension demonstration garden to learn about sound gardening practices that you can use in your own landscapes and gardens. Monthly topics will be discussed, and questions will be welcomed as we tour the gardens for some real-time demonstrations of these gardening practices.
First Saturdays are free and for all ages. Registration is required.
Plant a Row for the Hungry
Thank you everyone that participated in Plant a Row for the Hungry 2023!
Join Cooperative Extension and Chesterfield Master Gardeners in support of Plant A Row for the Hungry (PAR), a national people-helping-people program that encourages gardeners to grow a little extra and donate the produce. Chesterfield gardeners can help feed the hungry by donating extra produce at the Cooperative Extension office, Mondays from 9-10:30 a.m. and first Saturdays from 10-11 a.m., from during announced dates from May to November (excluding county holidays - check the county calendar for all dates - 2024 dates will be announced in spring 2024). Donated produce should:
- be recently harvested
- have no signs of mold, spoilage, bruising or insects
- have excess dirt brushed off, but remain unwashed
- be brought in clean paper bags (preferred) or plastic bags
Donations are given to partner organizations such as SevaTruck RVA, Cartias and A Place of Miracles Cafe, which turn the produce into fresh nutritious meals to feed the hungry in Chesterfield and RVA.
Workshops and Classes
Cooperative Extension offers workshops and classes taught by staff and trained volunteers. More information and registration is available in the Cooperative Extension ActiveNet. If you would like to suggest as topic for a class or workshop, email Cooperative Extension.
Stay Sharp! Good Tools Make Easy Work - Saturday, Nov. 11
Learn from experienced Master Gardener Charlie Morgan how to select the best garden tools for you. Learn how to safely sharpen and maintain them to make your garden tasks easier for years to come.
View the county calendar for time, location and registration details.
Houseplants for the Holidays and Beyond - Thursday, Nov. 30
This presentation will introduce a few common, low maintenance houseplants and feature some of the more common holiday plants and bulbs. Presented by Master Gardener Kim Henderson.
View the county calendar for time, location and registration details.
Festive Wreath Making Workshop - Friday, Dec. 1
Join master gardeners in creating seasonal cheer. Decorate your home for the holidays and learn about Virginia’s winter plants as you make your own wreath in this hands-on holiday workshop. Greenery, frame, wire, and some ribbons will be provided. Bring your own special items to tie into your personal décor and your own pruning shears.
View the county calendar for time, location and registration details.
Programs
Cooperative Extension offers both one-time and annual programs and services that assist with educating attendees about topics such as landscaping, lawncare and well water testing.
Demonstration Garden
Master Gardeners are developing gardens to teach homeowners, gardeners, youth, green industry professionals and others about a range of issues including water conservation, pollinator preservation, food production, sustainable maintenance practices and locally adapted plants.
Grass Roots
Get a healthier lawn with the Grass Roots program!
Are you frustrated with the condition of your lawn? Tired of throwing away money on seed and fertilizer, only to see no improvements? Get to the root of the problem through the Grass Roots program! Grass Roots offers residents the opportunity to learn about and remedy specific problems contributing to your lawn’s current condition. The program includes:
- A site visit by a Master Gardener who measures your lawn area and takes soil sample(s).
- A detailed site evaluation of lawn, including soil compaction and weed cover.
- Some personalized recommendations tailored to your lawn’s needs.
Registrants receive the following:
- Personalized lawn care report - and recommendations to help you get started
- Publications on lawn care in our area are referenced throughout the report
- Seasonal newsletter with tips and information on upcoming lawn care seminars
Safety Guidelines
With the safety of our volunteers and you as our clients in mind, Grass Roots follows a zero-contact policy. For the safety of our Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs), you must stay distant when MGVs are measuring your yard and collecting soil samples - do not approach them.
MGVs have been instructed to leave a property immediately if they are approached by homeowners or loose pets. We reserve the right to forego soil sampling and evaluating properties if pets have not been removed from the sampling area during the stated evaluation timeframe.
We understand that you may have questions about the program or your lawn. Please call the Extension Office at 804-751-4401 or email our office with any questions or concerns.
Registration
Registration for the 2023 season is closed. For more information, email the Cooperative Extension Office or call 804-751-4401.
Additional Resources
Learn Your Landscape
Learn how to maintain and enhance your property with help by Chesterfield Master Gardeners.
The program includes a site visit by trained Master Gardener volunteers who will evaluate and answer site specific questions regarding your property, such as:
- What plants will grow well in my area of Chesterfield County?
- What plants are on my property and how do I take care of them?
- How can I create habitat for beneficial wildlife like birds and bees?
Registration
Registration for the 2023 season is closed. For more information, call us at 804-751-4401 or email the Cooperative Extension Office.
Cost
Program cost is $30, which covers the cost of supplies, materials and personalized guide. A limited number of registrations are accepted, so register early if you would like to take part.
Program Details
Soil sampling will not be included with the visit, but you will be provided with a soil sampling kit that you can submit on your own, see Grass Roots for more information. Trained Master Gardener volunteers will review registration applications and schedule initial site visit.
Initial site visits include:
- Master Gardener volunteers assess your landscape (limited to 1.5 hours)
- Site assessment of landscape - prioritized by preferences listed in application
Final site visits include:
- Take place several weeks after initial site visit
- One-on-one review of recommendations with Master Gardener volunteers (limited to 1 to 1.5 hours)
- You will receive a map of property with current plantings and site conditions noted from initial visit
- You will receive a customized reference binder full of fact sheets on current plantings and general gardening info for our area
This program features an optional wildlife habitat component to the site assessment, in cooperation with the Habitat Partners © Program of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Well Water Testing Clinic
Affordable, confidential water testing and education will be offered through Virginia Cooperative Extension offices in Chesterfield County. Participation is voluntary and confidential. Water samples collected by participating homeowners will be analyzed for 14 parameters, including bacteria, metals, nitrate and hardness at a cost of $65 (per kit).
Clinic Information
Pick up and drop off of kits are at the Cooperative Extension office. Results and water system care and maintenance information will be sent to each participant either by email or mail, and a pre-recorded video or live presentation will be made available to help explain the summary results and recommendations to address problems.
Register for the 2023 Clinic
Registration for the 2023 clinic is closed. Please contact Sierra Seekford by email or call 804-751-4401 with any questions.
For more information about the Virginia Household Water Quality Program, as well as many resources relevant to private water systems, please visit the Virginia Household Water Quality Program website.