The Virginia Farm to Table Conference: "Connecting Farms, Food, and Health" will feature breakout sessions during the afternoons of Day 1 and Day 2. See the descriptions below to explore which sessions you would like to attend. Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET!
Day 1 Breakouts, Part I
1:15-2:15 PM
Funding for Farmers: Demystifying Grants with Farmer Cee
Clarenda “Farmer Cee” Stanley draws on her experience as a successful fundraiser and awarded farmer to help farmers navigate the grant application process with confidence. Having raised over $80 million for philanthropic initiatives, Farmer Cee knows what it takes to make applications stand out. She’ll share insider tips on how to effectively communicate your mission, highlight your impact, and increase your chances of securing the funding you need to grow and sustain your farm.
Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Moving Beyond Practices: Deepening Internal Resilience for Landscape Resilience with Nicole Masters
In this session, we will explore tools and techniques that apply regeneration to broader concepts beyond simple practice-based approaches. Nicole has extensive practical expertise and experiences in regenerative soil and landscape practices and coaching and training the trainers. Nicole has a huge commitment to finding win-win solutions for the wellbeing of both landscapes and landmanagers.
Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Collaborating across the Commonwealth to Strengthen Agriculture and Food System Resilience
Sarah Morton, Executive Director VA Career Works Piedmont Region and Program and Grant Administrator for Minority Veteran Farmers of the Piedmont
Please join us for this interactive session to connect and share how we are working together in our communities to support urban and rural farming, infrastructure development, local food purchasing, and healthy food access for all. What successes have emerged and what are the skills and other ingredients that made them possible? Participants will also hear 3-minute flash updates from several Virginia organizations collaborating to improve economic opportunities for farmers and the Commonwealth’s food system resilience.
Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Day 1 Breakouts, Part II
2:30 - 3:30 PM
Beyond the Harvest: Building a Brand That Grows
In today’s marketplace, a farm is more than just the crops it grows or the animals it raises—it’s a brand with a story, a mission, and a personality. In this session, Clarenda "Farmer Cee"
Stanley will guide small farmers through her 5Vs of branding: VALUES, VISION, VISUALS, VOICE, and VALIDITY. From defining your unique identity to creating an authentic connection with customers, you’ll learn how to position your farm to stand out in competitive markets, communicate your values, and build loyalty that turns customers into advocates.
Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Farming in a Changing Landscape: A Conversation with Virginia Producers
Moderator: Amanda Cather, Owner, Plow & Stars Farm and Mid-Atlantic Program Manager, American Farmland Trust
Anthony Beery, Owner, Beery Farms Inc.
Corwin Heatwole, Founding Farmer, Farmer Focus
Ronnie Nuckols, Owner, Overhome Farm
In this session, innovative producers from across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic will reflect on the themes shared by Nicole Masters earlier in the day. They will discuss community resilience in light of market fluctuations and a changing climate, sharing their experiences building soil health from the ground up.
Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Farmer and Community Emergency Preparedness: Planning for Resilience
At the end of September, Hurricane Helene cut a huge, unexpected path of destruction through Florida, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, and southwest Virginia. It was responsible for at least 260 deaths, power outages, and historic flooding which devastated entire towns and individual properties, including farms. This panel discussion will share insights on the impact of Helene on farms and communities in southwest Virginia, and start a conversation about local, state, and federal investments to improve resilience in agriculture and Virginia’s food system in the future.
Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Day 2 Breakout Sessions
1:30-2:30 PM
Adding Value to Grain Through Story, Sustainability, and Identify Preservation- Insights from the Distilling Industry
Moderator: Madelyn Smith, Executive Director, Common Grain Alliance
Shelley Sackier, Director of the Virginia Heritage Grains Project and Director of distillery Education at Reservoir Distillery
Dr. Tim Woods, Extension Professor and Speciality Crop Specialist at the University of Kentucky
Alexa Narel, Innovation Connect Manager for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky and Operations Manager for the Estate Whiskey Alliance
This panel will explore strategies for building value in regional grain supply chains through identity-preserved and heritage grains, based on insights from ongoing initiatives in the distilling industry. The discussion will cover ways to establish unique market channels, foster consumer awareness and connection to core values like sustainability, and emerging market trends for identity-preserved products.
Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
A Conversation on the Emotional and Psychological Aspects of Family and Community Disaster Resilience
Dr. Duane Gill, Professor of Sociology, Virginia Tech
Dr. Liesel Ritchie, Professor of Sociology, Virginia Tech
Dr. Anne Stewart, Professor of Clinical and School Psychology, James Madison University
In the wake of Hurricane Helene and a growing number of climatic events in Virginia, this panel features experts in sociology and psychology to explore the emotional and psychological components of response to natural disasters.
Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Day 2 Breakout Session
2:30-3:30 PM
Local Governance and Everyday Opportunities for Impacting Food Systems Change
Gerald Garber, Owner, Cave View Dairy Farm and Supervisor, Augusta County Board of Supervisors
Sarah Morton, Director, Virginia Career Works’ Piedmont Region Office and Co-owner, Cattle Run Farm LLC
Chris Van Vlack, Urban/Ag Conservationist, Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District
Kate Wofford, Executive Director, Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
In this closing conversation, a panel of community leaders from across Virginia will discuss ways everyone can get involved to strengthen agriculture and address food system challenges. We hope you leave inspired to get involved in your own community and local food system.
Register here by December 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET
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