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This year’s topic, “Better Ways for Better Days,” will
include guest speakers and educational break-out sessions that will provide
practical information for small farms, farmers and ranchers with limited
resources, or who are socially disadvantaged, military veterans, or
beginning farmers.
The SFOP provides outreach and learning opportunities to
small farmers for production management, financial and risk management,
marketing, USDA assistance programs, and more. The conference is an
opportunity to hear about available resources, smart business strategies,
and successful production practices – especially for those new to farming
who want to learn more about what it takes to farm profitably and
sustainably.
At this year’s conference, participants will hear from
multiple guest speakers, and rotate through various informational breakout
sessions. The conference will begin with a talk from guest speaker Jim
Hankins, Executive Director of Fauquier Education Farm. Jim Hankins grew up
on a small farm in Bedford County and served as an Agriculture Management
Agent for SFOP prior to coming to Fauqueir Education Farm.
In the afternoon and throughout day two of the conference,
participants can take advantage of the following breakout sessions:
·
New and Beginning Farm Course
·
Boots on the Ground, “How COVID
Changed Farming and Selling”
·
Farm Tax Planning and Risk
Management
·
Organic No-Till Vegetable Production
After the breakout sessions on day two, participants will
enjoy a luncheon and hear from Keynote Speaker Anthony Flaccavento. A
two-time Congressional candidate in Virginia’s 9th district, Anthony has
been working on community environmental and economic development in the
Appalachian region for more than 30 years. He founded Appalachian
Sustainable Development in 1995, which became a regional and national
leader in sustainable economic development. His private consulting business
supports community leaders and farmers. Anthony speaks and writes
extensively about sustainable food systems and rural development.
To conclude the conference, winners of the following awards
will be announced:
·
SFOP Small Farmer of the Year
·
SFOP Volunteer of the Year
·
SFOP Regional Program Assistant of
the Year
“As in the past, the Small Farm Conference is a great place
to network and hear about the available resources, smart business
strategies, and successful production practices – especially for those new
and beginning farmers who want to learn more about what it takes to farm
profitably and sustainably,” says VSU’s Small Farm Outreach Program
Director William Crutchfield. “Attending the conference this year will be
particularly helpful as many small farmers have had an uphill struggle to
continue farming profitably in these challenging times.”
REGISTRATION FEE: $50.
For more information, contact the Small Farm Outreach Program
at (804) 524-3292 or smallfarm@vsu.edu.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any
assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this
activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804)
524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to
discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.
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