A conference sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation & Rural Sustainability (Virginia FAIRS) and Virginia Farmers Direct Marketing Association (VFDMA), in partnership with USDA Rural Development and Lulus Local Food.

This year's focus is on 'safe products', including safe production and harvesting/handling along with best practices for managing the risks.  Morning sessions will include two groups of panelists--one focusing on dairy, poultry, meat and eggs, and the second focusing on produce and value-added products.

The afternoon will be devoted to Networking Buyers and Sellers.

Who should attend?
Farmers, farmers market managers, school system representatives, community representatitves and Extension faculty who are developing local food systesms, exploring new marketing opportunities for local foods and wanting to learn about safe food handling.

Cost is $20 which includes meals and conference materials.  Register here.

For more information:
Chris Cook (804) 290-1111, ccook[at]vabf.com
Martha Walker (434) 766-6761, (434) 709-1084 (cell), walker53[at]vt.edu

List of speakers:

• Wayne Pryor, Virginia Farm Bureau
• Commissioner of Agriculture Matthew J. Lohr, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
• Jared Burner, Skyline Premium Meats (invited)
• David Fitzgerald, Homestead Traditionals (poultry & eggs), Goochland County
• Rosalie Potter, Donald’s Meat Processing, Lexington, Buffalo Creek Farm
• Renard Turner (goat), Vanguard Ranch, Ltd, Louisa County
• Gail Hobbs, (goat, cheeses), Caromont Farm
• Barry Jones, VDACS
• JoAnn Connell, VDACS
• Pam Miles, VDACS
• Jim Saunders, Saunders Brothers Orchard, Nelson County (invited)
• Amy Hicks, Amy’s Garden Organic CSA, Charles City County (invited)
• Marlan Showalter (lettuces), Portwood Garden (invited)
• Jo Pendergraph, Manakintowne Specialty Growers, Powhatan County
• James Barrett, Bellaire Farms (CSA), Albemarle County (invited)
• Leanne DuBois, VDACS
• Wythe Morris, Virginia Cooperative Extension
• Tom Smith, VDACS Fruit & Vegetables
• Jesse Richardson, Virginia Tech
• Jewel E. Hairston, Ph.D., Dean, School of Agriculture, Virginia State University