The native grass tour scheduled for this evening at the Southern Piedmont AREC in Blackstone, VA has been POSTPONED due to the severe weather forecast this afternoon and evening.

The tour is rescheduled for next Tuesday, June 8th starting at 5 pm with the same agenda and location.  We hope to see you then.

A Native Warm Season Grass Tour is scheduled for 5:00 to 8:30 pm at the Southern Piedmont AREC in Blackstone, VA on June 3, 2021. This evening, outdoor event will include a field review of 4 native species (Eastern gamagrass, Big Bluestem, Indiangrass and Switchgrass) with a total of 20 different varieties in a replicated small plot research trial that was planted in May of 2020.

The tour will also visit a 15 acre field of a 3-way mix of big bluestem, Indiangrass and little bluestem planted March of 2020 that established very well last season. We will discuss what steps go into a successful 1-year establishment of these native grasses that provides a consistent, vigorous stand ready to graze the next year. A grazing study will begin on this field the following week.

The Piedmont SWCD which serves Nottoway, Amelia and Prince Edward will be promoting their new seed drill with a native seed box specifically designed for planting these types of grasses that is available for rent by landowners in the District.

This tour is highlighting work funded by a USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant.

NativeGrassTour Jun 8 SPAREC