Thursday, January 29, 2015

WV Small Farm Conference




To register for the WV Small Farms Conference at the Charleston Civic Center click HERE

11th Annual West Virginia Small Farm Conference
Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, WV
February 26-28, 2015
 
Only 21 days until the annual gathering of West Virginia small farmers and stakeholders!  The West Virginia Small Farm Conference focuses on the future of local food and sustainable farming while offering many types of trainings, production information and updates, and the opportunity to network and gather new ideas!
 
What are the goals for the conference? 
·         Unlock the potential of West Virginia small farms to produce food profitably.
·         Help small farms transition from commodity production to food production for community and local consumption.
·         Support West Virginia's 22,000 small farms families by:
o   Providing reliable, tested knowledge about current trends, needed skills, and latest production and operation information
o   Building an understanding on how to develop a successful small farming enterprise.
·         Support and further develop West Virginia’s food system and local communities by encouraging local production, processing, wholesale & retail marketing, and consumption.
Who should attend?
Everyone interested in the future of local food and sustainable farming in West Virginia!
 
Areas of Interest
Over 180 different classes will happen topics such as:  Farm-to-School, Wholesale marketing, youth agriculture, community gardens, beginning & advanced fruit & vegetable production, non-traditional food production, record keeping, resource management, animal production, processing, marketing, customer service, agritourism, alternative energies, bed & breakfast association, food hubs, farmers markets, and more! 
See our event highlights and additional workshops here:  http://smallfarmcenter.ext.wvu.edu/events/conference/events
 
What’s the cost?
Registration is $60/day for adults and $30/day for students.  It includes breakfast, lunch, and materials and can be done online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-11th-annual-wv-small-farm-conference-tickets-13204309445
 
Hotel Rates
They can be found on our website - http://smallfarmcenter.ext.wvu.edu/events/conference/registration and are good for a limited time, so reserve a room asap!
 
Interested in being a sponsor?
 Call Tom McConnell at (304)293-2642 or email TRMcConnell@mail.wvu.edu
 
Interested in participating in the Trade Show? 
Call Lisa Lagana at (304)293-2715 or email llagana@mail.wvu.edu
 
7th Annual Winter Blues Farmers Market
Farmers’ market fans will again have the opportunity for a wintertime fix! The Winter Blues Farmers Market will be held Thursday, February 26 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., organized by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Farmers from all over the state will be gathered to sell their winter-hardy food, goods and products. This $2 event is open to the public, with proceeds being donated to local Charleston charity – Manna Meal.
If you are interested in being a vendor at this event, please call 304-558-2210 and complete the Winter Blues Farmers Market application found here:  http://smallfarmcenter.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/206264
Part two of this Farmers Market includes a Local Foods Dine-Around. Chefs, local and from across the state, are cooking up a pay-as-you-go Winter Blues Local Food Dine-Around featuring locally grown and prepared entrees. The chefs will be set up among the many farmer vendors so the customers can eat and shop, or find one of the many tables nearby to just relax while eating a wonderful locally prepared meal.
 
 
Please forward this email to other individuals or organizations that might be interested
If you have any questions about this conference, please contact Lisa Lagana at(304)293-2715 or email llagana@mail.wvu.edu
 
 
 
 
Thank you,
 
Lisa Lagana
Program Coordinator
WVU Extension Service
WV Small Farm Center
 
2100 Agricultural Science Bldg
Morgantown, WV 26506
Office: 304-293-2715

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Pollinator Friendly Gardening Class

Tom Bell sent this notice along regarding a Pollinator Friendly Gardening class that Gary Selby is doing at the Wayne County Extension Office on February 3 at 6 pm.