Horticulture and Pest Management
Overview
Horticulture and Pest Management
Overview
Fresh vegetables and fruit keep people well-nourished and healthy with their rich vitamin, mineral and fiber contents. Vegetable and small fruit production is highly profitable for small-scale farmers due to low acreage requirements, quick crop rotations, and surging local market demands.
The cut flower industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in diversified agriculture. For small-scale farmers, urban growers, and market gardeners, cut flowers also offer exceptionally high returns.
At VSU Extension, we conduct demonstrations and applied research, and provide technical support in small-scale fruit and vegetable production such as crop selection, sustainable practices including integrated pest management, infrastructure, and market strategies. We are also re-establishing the cut flower program that includes small-scale production of cut flowers at the open field, high tunnel and greenhouse hydroponic/aquaponic settings.
Add a photo of small fruit and vegetables as well as cut flowers
Program and Resources
Vegetables and Small Fruits
The Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP) at Cooperative Extension has relaunched the newly designed 43560 project, with a goal of making one dollar per square foot by growing high value vegetables and herbs. This is a joint effort from SFOP Randolph Farm crew, Cooperative Extension and Agriculture Research Stations of the College of Agriculture.
We also conduct small fruit and rare fruit tree demonstrations on Randoph Farm. Species include blueberry, raspberry, fig, and pawpaw.
Resources: Mark please provide some old resources that Dr. Rafie created in the past, especially during the covid time.
Ginger, Garlic and Other Specialty Crops: (Peter)
Cut Flowers (see Curtis’ document)
Pest Management (see Peter’s document)
Events
Upcoming events
Dahlia Field Day: add date
Ginger and Turmeric Workshop and Field Day: Oct. 21 or 22
Cut Flower Conference: add date
Past Events
DIY Hydroponic Cut Flower Class/Workshop (April 7, 2026)
Ginger Workshop and Field Day (2025, 2023, provide links to the agenda and maybe presentations later)
Garlic Workshop and Field Day (2025)
Publications
Contact us
Dr. Sanjun Gu
Professor and Extension Horticulture Specialist, Program Leader of Plant and Soil Systems, and Southern Region SARE PDP coordinator. Dr. Gu specializes in field and high tunnel production of special crops, and in organic agriculture.
Phone: (804) 524-5480. E-mail: sgu@vsu.edu
We can add a short resume (link) if we all want to but need to be consistent.
Peter Coffey
Curtis Childress
COnnect
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