FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 14, 2018

Contact: Michelle Olgers, Marketing & Communications Dept., 804-524-6964, molgers@vsu.edu  

VSU Small Farm Outreach Program To Hold Farmer-Buyer ‘Meet Up’  

On Wednesday, August 22, farmers and buyers will have an opportunity to “meet up” at Virginia State University’s (VSU) Randolph Farm Pavilion, 4415 River Rd., Petersburg, Virginia. The event will take place begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m.

Farmers and buyers can participate in a networking session that can lead to sales relationships and open doors for follow-up. No contracts will be signed onsite. There will be a roundtable discussion in which some of the state’s top buyers will share what they’re looking for and answer questions. Representatives from United States Development Agency Rural Development will make a presentation, and there will be a Harmonized GAP Introduction workshop.

Farmers should come prepared with business cards, and a list of products and/or a price sheet. Buyers—including wholesalers, chefs, restaurant owners, grocers and food service directors—should bring business cards and a list of products they wish to source locally.

The event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited, so register early. To register, visit www.ext.vsu.edu/calendar, click on the event and then click on the registration link. 

If you need further information or are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Michael Carter Jr. at (804) 633-9964 or micarter@vsu.edu, or call the Small Farm Outreach Program office at (804) 524-3292 / (800) 828-1120 (TDD) during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations no later than five days prior to the event.

The Small Farm Outreach Program, which is part of Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University, aims to encourage and assist limited-resource, socially disadvantaged and military veteran farmers and ranchers to own, maintain and operate farms and ranches independently, to participate in agricultural programs and improve their overall farm management skills. The SFOP provides outreach and assistance activities in production management, financial management, marketing, available USDA farm programs and other areas to increase farm profitability and promote sustainability. Currently, the program provides educational programming in approximately 64 Virginia counties, which have the highest concentrations of limited-resource, socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers in the state. For more information, visit The SFOP website.

Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. Virginia Cooperative Extension 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, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.

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