Virginia Pumpkin Growers Association

01/21/2026

❄️❄️❄️Due to the impending weather for this weekend, the Virginia Pumpkin Growers Association Annual Meeting has been canceled. We are looking at future dates within the next month to reschedule.❄️❄️❄️

10/24/2025

Virginia is one of the nation’s top pumpkin producers, harvesting over 4,700 acres valued at $14.7 million last year. 🎃

According to Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist Steve Rideout, the state’s success comes down to cool mountain nights and skilled growers, especially in Southwest Virginia, where higher elevations create ideal growing conditions.

Through research, field days, and grower support, the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the VSU College of Agriculture, and VCE help keep the state’s pumpkin industry strong, supporting farmers from seed to harvest.

Learn more ➡️ https://brnw.ch/vapumpkins

08/07/2025

Virginia farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Helene:
Now’s the time to start gathering your documentation for the upcoming Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program application period.

Covered losses include:
🧑‍🌾Damage to farm infrastructure and timber
📉 Lost market opportunities directly caused by the storm
🌲 Loss of perennial crops such as Christmas trees, apple trees, and blueberry bushes

The application period will open in a few weeks. For more information, list of 27 USDA disaster designated localities, to submit questions, and for a complete list of required documentation, please visit 🔗https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml.

Virginia Cooperative Extension
Virginia Department of Forestry
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation

11/13/2024

Save the Date! The VPGA 2025 Annual Meeting will be Saturday, January 25, 2025 in Galax, VA!

10/09/2024

𝐒𝐖𝐕𝐀 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦-𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬:
As efforts have increased to provide relief to SWVA farmers, we have adjusted our previous flyer for the Southwest Virginia Agriculture Relief Program to incorporate more resources.

If you are a farmer impacted by Helene, please complete the following form to help us in coordinating donations: https://tinyurl.com/SWVAAGNEEDS

Also, consider checking out the following additional resources offered to you through other organizations:
VCE Hurricane Helene Page- https://ext.vt.edu/hurricane-relief.html
Farm Service Agency- https://www.fsa.usda.gov/prog.../disaster-assistance-program
Virginia Agribusiness Council- https://www.va-agribusiness.org/flood

Please share!

10/09/2024

08/07/2024

Downy Mildew Found on Pumpkins in Montgomery County
- see disease alert below

“Unfortunately, downy mildew was found in a commercial field of pumpkins in Montgomery county yesterday. The infection seems to have started around 7-10 days ago.
Downy mildew can spread and cause damage quickly under moist conditions. In addition, I am concerned about the rainfall coming from Debby's remains. These rains could further spread downy mildew and cause Phytophthora issues for our growers. Growers are encouraged, if at all possible today prior to the storm, to apply a material targeting downy mildew and Phytophthora (Orondis Ultra, Ranman, Presidio, etc.; seehttps://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/456/456-420/SPES-586.pdf for more options).
Please let me know if you have any questions or need help diagnosing anything. Steve Rideout”

11/21/2022

Virginia Tech researchers support the spike in the state’s pumpkin production by exploring the growth of special varieties and testing ways to stretch their shelf life.

10/13/2022

09/09/2022

Fantastic pumpkin field day last night at Banks Farm in Gladesboro! SWVA Extension Commercial Horticulture Virginia Tech Vegetable Entomology

01/28/2022

The Annual Meeting for Saturday is still on. If you are attending please be careful considering the weather, but we are looking forward to seeing you!

10/26/2021

Pumpkin season is here and whether you are decorating because it’s fall or Halloween, you probably have some pumpkins laying around the house. Extension Agent in Commerical Horticulture at th…