What this Conference is About ...
The 9th annual Virginia Biological Farming Conference
Our 2008 conference theme is “Opportunities in Organic
Farming”. There are four tracks of presentations concerning
opportunities in organic horticulture, organic field
crops, organic livestock and marketing. Experienced farmers
and scientists will discuss production systems which
have proven to be successful. These systems often were
developed through years of trial and error.
Our speakers will also discuss the diverse marketing opportunities
for organic farm products. To receive premium
prices in wholesale markets certain products, like field
corn, need to be certified as organic by a third party company,
under approved USDA standards. This official organic
certification requires an annual fee and also requires
a good deal of record keeping. Most of the organic farmers
in Virginia are not certified. They grow crops and produce
livestock products, without using synthetic chemicals, to
protect their own health, to protect the health of their customers
and to protect the environment. These farmers often
sell their products at farmers markets, at roadside
stands and through Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) organizations. Their organic practices are conveyed
through the personal relationships they establish with their
customers.
The plenary speaker sessions and breakout speaker presentations
are important parts of the Virginia Biological Farming
Conference. Many participants discover, however, that
they also learn a great deal during informal conversations
in the trade show and at meals and breaks. This conference
is an excellent opportunity for networking with other organic
growers from all over Virginia. We encourage Virginia
Cooperative Extension personnel, Natural Resource
and Conservation Service personnel and Farm Service
Agency personnel to participate. The conference is also
intended for non-government organizations, community
groups, Master Gardeners, consumers and youth. We will
have a lively and entertaining educational program for
young people.
The conference is intended for a broad range of folks, including
commercial farmers and farm managers, educators, government
agricultural professionals, urban farmers, master gardeners,
young people, and just plain consumers. We hope you will not
only listen to our speakers but also network with many new
people to share experiences, get new ideas, and contribute to
this exciting community of folks who care deeply about good
health and sound farming practices.
Plenary Speakers
We are pleased to feature Dr. Jennifer Wilkins and Dr.
Elaine Ingham as our keynote speakers. Dr. Jennifer Wilkins
is with the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell
University in New York. She will help us understand what
we need to do to incorporate locally-grown and organic
farm products in the lunch programs in our public schools.
Farm to school marketing programs have begun in other
states but not yet in Virginia. A number of barriers will
have to be surmounted before our children will be able to
eat fresh locally-grown foods.
Dr. Elaine Ingham is President of Soil Foodweb Incorporated
in Corvallis, Oregon. She is an energetic, easy-tounderstand
speaker who explains what life in the soil is all
about. Behind this "user-friendly" approach lies a wealth
of knowledge gained from years of intensive research into
the organisms which make up the soil food web. Elaine not
only understands the soil food web, she has knowledge on
how to ensure a healthy food web to promote plant growth
and reduce reliance on inorganic chemicals. While truly an
academic, Elaine is also passionate about sharing her
knowledge and research findings with those at the grass
roots level of working with soils. That includes not just
farmers who grow crops, but also those who graze cattle,
sheep and other livestock, fruit and vegetable growers,
greens keepers, parks and gardens workers, nursery operators
- in fact anyone who grows things, even if it's just
plain old lawn grass. Elaine offers a way forward for sustainable
farming. - a way of improving the soils we work
with now and a way to keep soils in this healthier state
without damaging any other eco-system.
Food Festival
Our pre-conference potluck has certainly become part of the VABF
custom. We’re now calling the potluck a food festival, but the tradition
of everyone bringing a scrumptious dish to share remains! We
hope you will dip into your cupboards and freezers and bring forth
some delectable reminder of Virginia grown. Please be sure to bring
your own table service—a plate, bowl, utensils—whatever you need.
We can also aim for zero waste if you bring your own cup! We
won’t have kitchen access. Crock pots or heating units are fine, just
please bring a heavy-duty extension cord.
*VABF and Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, veteran status, national
origin, disability, or political affiliation. |
Welcome to VABF 
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