Virginia Cooperative Extension invites you to a one-day conference, Cultivating Virginia’s Farm to School Program: A Conference for Farmers, School Nutrition Directors and Interested Citizens, exploring farm to school for Virginia's farmers, school systems and youth. The conference will take place at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business (100 Darden Blvd., Charlottesville 22903) on Wednesday December 10 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

        Farm to school brings healthy food from local farms to school children nationwide. These programs connect schools with local farms to serve healthy meals in school cafeterias, provide health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime, and support local small farmers.

        The specific purpose of this educational conference is to 1) learn how farm to school is coordinated across the United States, 2) provide a review of Task Force findings and current local efforts, 3) learn about potential model farm to school programs for Virginia, and 4) explore how Virginia can link its schools, farming and food systems together to improve the economic viability of agriculture and health and nutrition of Virginia’s youth. This conference will feature top presenters to discuss and explore the issues that surround the further development of farm to school programs in Virginia.

        The conference program opens with a welcome by Governor Tim Kaine, and offers presentations and panels on farm-to-school from the perspectives of producers, public schools, and national and state advocates.  Presenters include Anthony Flaccavento of Appalachian Sustainable Development, VABF member Charlie Maloney of Dayspring Farm, Emily Jackson of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, Leanne Dubois of Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and many more. 

        The conference is hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension and co-sponsored by VDACS, Jefferson Area Board for Aging, Virginia Foundation for Agricultural Innovation and Rural Sustainability, Virginia Dietetic Association, Environmental Defense Fund and the Mid-Atlantic region of the National Farm to School Network.  The conference is coordinated by Matt Benson, Jonah Fogel and Eric Bendfeldt, Extension Specialists in Community Viability.

        The National Farm to School Network is a collaborative program of eight regional lead agencies and national staff which provide free training and technical assistance, information services, networking, and support for policy, media and marketing activities. The Network is supported in part by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

        To attend this event, pre-registration is required. To register, contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension Northern District Office at (540) 341-7961 or Matt Benson at mcbenson@vt.edu.  Registration is $20, which includes lunch, break refreshments and conference materials. For more information, visit http://offices.ext.vt.edu/view.cfm?p=45622.

This is a daylong conference (call to verify exact hours) that will educate and raise awareness about health, food supply and sustainable farming practices for environmental preservation. Hear from many experts, as well as Sally Fallon, on the important links between health and communities. Delicious lunch provided. Everyone invited!

Admission is $65 in advance by January 1st. $75 at the door. Students and Center for Rural Culture members - $50 at the door. Pre-register on line at the web site below.

Co-sponsored by the Center for Rural Culture and the Ellwood Thompson’s Natural Market, this conference provides an educational opportunity for new and experienced growers who wish to grow produce and provide value added products for market. Participants will gain valuable knowledge about the business of growing for market. This is a popular workshop that fills up fast, so register early.

Admission is $35 in advance by January 28th, 2009 (Pre-register online at the Center’s web site above) or $45 at the door (Same day registration does not include lunch).

The Center for Rural Culture, a 501c3 (non-profit), is organized for the charitable and educational purposes of educating, promoting, and inspiring members of the community to sustain a culture that builds individual and local economy, protects natural and historical resources, and maintains the rural character of the community.