The Southeast Regional Foodshed Gathering 

The Southeast Regional Foodshed Gathering will be held at Cecil H. Underwood Youth Center at the WV State Fair Grounds in Fairlea, WV on Monday, November 2nd from 8:00AM - 4:00PM

At this event, producers and buyers of local food will attend trainings on hands on farm skills, as well as the business of farming. Attendees will meet their peers, learn about service providers and will enjoy locally sourced foods. This foodshed gathering is sure to be a great oppurtunity to newtwork with like minded individuals, and share ideas and opportunities.

An early-bird registration of $10.00 will be available until October 11th. After the 11th, the cost will be $15.00. The registration deadline is Sunday, October 25th, and spots are limited. Be sure to register quickly to save your spot at the Foodshed Gathering! Admission at the door the day of the event with be $20.00. 

• Your fee covers admission into the Foodshed Gathering as well as a locally sourced lunch.
• You can add an optional Non-profit, vendor, or service provider display table.
• All non-online payment will be collected at the door. Cash or Check only.

Confirmed workshops include...

Hands-On Farmer Track

1.       Appropriate Technologies For the Farm: Reduce Labor through Mechanization –John Wilhoit

-          The Focus of John’s research program in the area of Specialty Crops Mechanization is on mechanization innovations to help reduce manual labor requirements and improve production. Research activities in vegetable production are looking at lower cost automation and mechanization to benefit the widely diverse operations of market growers (selling at farmers Market, on the farm, and through CSA’s.

2.       Silvopasture & Grass-Based Systems with a Permaculture Focus – Edward Marshall

-          Edward Marshall was a self-taught commercial organic farmer from 1992-2002. He designs, consults, and implements permaculture-based installations on farms, suburban plots, business sites, and community organizations throughout the Piedmont and Appalachian regions in conjunction with Full Wheel Farmers, based out of Charlotte, NC. He has studied regenerative agriculture, agroforestry and permaculture, including workshops with Joel Salatin, Sandor Katz, and Will Allen of Growing Power. His is currently working on a grass-based dairy to learn how to work with large herds, rehabilitate the devastated soil in the Southeaster US, and familiarize with industry in order to start his own grass-based dairy in a few years’ time.

3.       Season Extension, Hightunnel Production, Maximizing Profits – Anthony Flaccavento

-          Anthony Flaccavento has 25 years of hands-on experience in sustainable community development, along with a BS degree in Agriculture and Environmental Science and a Masters degree in Economic and Social Development. Anthony has been a certified organic produce farmer for the past 15 years during which time he also founded and directed Appalachian Sustainable Development. He is the author of “Healthy Food Systems: A Took Kit for building Value Chains” and over 100 published articles.

4.       Scaling-Up to Meet Wholesale Market Demand – Clem Swift

-          Clem will discuss his experience transitioning to a wholesale model in terms of production methods, finding and maintain markets, analysis of production costs, and overall management. The shared geographical traits of the Blue Ridge and Greenbrier Valley will be discussed and what that means for wholesale opportunities in those regions. Clem Swift has managed Riverstone Organic Farm in Floyd, Virginia for the past three years, overseeing the expansion of crop production to 10 acres of organic vegetables sold to local and regional wholesale markets.

The Business of Farming

1.       Hiring Labor for your WV Farm Business – Mary Oldham & Liberty Newberry Fetty

-          Employees? Interns? Volunteers? What are the best options for your farm? A review of best practices, lessons learned and step by step procedures for hiring farm labor.

2.       Branding  Marketing  Packaging – Jill Young

-          Marketing your farm with your product packaging. How to make your product packaging a marketing tool.

3.       Beyond Farmers Markets – Liz Spellman

-          Explore other opportunities for selling your farm products – CSAs, restaurants, institutions and through food hubs. Panel of practioners from each option.

4.       Business Plan Facts & Figures – Joy Marr

-          Look at an array of actual Business Plans- from simple to complex.  Discover what you need your Business Plan to do for you. Whether you’re looking to gain investors or showcase your ideas, it is feasible. 

 

 

And much more to come!!!!

 

Register Now! Many thanks to our generous partners for making this event possible:

The West Virginia Farmers Market Association