When the Virginia Cooperative Extension brought fifteen women farmers to our orchard this spring, it turned out to be one of those afternoons that reminds us why we love what we do.
Shenandoah Valley Orchards hosted a stop on the Virginia Cooperative Extension's (VCE) Women in Agriculture Gathering, held April 23rd and 24th right here in the Shenandoah Valley. The gathering brings together female farmers, landowners, and agriculture enthusiasts from across Virginia to network with peers, sharpen technical skills, and work through the unique challenges they face. The group spent an afternoon with us getting to see our operations and the work that goes into growing fruit here in the Valley.
A Day in the Orchard
Our own Jaime Williams led the group through an in-depth tour of our facility and orchard. That means walking the rows, seeing the trees up close, and getting into the honest details of what it takes to grow premium apples, peaches, and cherries from the ground up. From the challenges of an unpredictable growing season to the day-to-day rhythms that keep an orchard running, our guests got the full picture.
After the tour, the group gathered for a Q&A session. Women from different corners of agriculture, some growers themselves, some just getting started, brought thoughtful questions and a depth of experience that made for a meaningful conversation.
Why This Matters to Us
Agriculture is built on knowledge passed between people who care about the land and the work. When an organization like VCE puts in the effort to connect women across the state around a shared interest in farming and growing, that's something worth being part of.
We are proud to be a resource for this community, and we are grateful to the Virginia Cooperative Extension for including us in an event like this one. If you want to learn more about VCE's work connecting agricultural communities across Virginia, you can find more information at the Virginia Women in Agriculture event page.