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The First Annual VABF | SFOP Summit


  • The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center 110 Shenandoah Avenue Northeast Roanoke, VA, 24016 United States (map)

The First Annual VABF | SFOP Summit

January 19–21, 2024

The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, 110 Shenandoah Ave NE, Roanoke, VA 24016


Join us for the inaugural Virginia Association for Biological Farming | Small Farm Outreach Program Summit! We’ve joined together two of Virginia’s best farming conferences into one dynamic summit: the 24th Annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference and the Small Farm Outreach Program Annual Conference. The VABF-SFOP Summit brings together farmers, gardeners, eaters, educators, industry professionals, and advocates of sustainable, regenerative, and organic agriculture. 

When: Friday–Sunday, January 19–21, 2024 Where: Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.

Keynote Speakers: Jean-Martin (JM) Fortier, Founder of Market Garden Institute, and Niaz Dorry, Executive Director of National Family Farm Coalition & Coordinating Director of Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance. The three-day event includes:

  • Pre-Summit intensive workshops 

  • Pre-Summit Farm tour

  • 2 full days of concurrent sessions

  • Book sales with author signings 

  • Locally sourced farm meals 

  • 40+ trade show exhibitors 

  • Youth & teen programs

  • Silent auction

  • Morning yoga for farmers

  • The Taste of Virginia Expo & Social (free Saturday event!)

  • Networking opportunities including regional meetings and fireside chats 

  • SFOP annual awards

For more information, contact Catherine Bolling at 540-330-9481, or coordinator@vabf.org; or Cartelius Travis at 804-524-2551 or ctravis@vsu.edu.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

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Canceled—Farm Equipment Safety & Maintenance Basics

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Certified Beekeeping Course—Part 1