SATURDAY 2/2: Conference on Future of Small Farms

The Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust is sponsoring a mini conference, Eastern Shore Grown: Small Farm Future, 9-12  a.m. February 2 at the Eastern Shore Community College.

The conference will address the Eastern Shore’s potential to develop a local food system that will contribute to local sustainability and to the local economy.

The conference will include presentations on the importance of a diversified agricultural portfolio and the potential of the Shore to grow and distribute food locally.

Participants will have the opportunity to have a dialogue with a panel of local, small-scale farmers and hear from representatives of local and regional small farm support organizations.

The conference will close with a group discussion on the challenges and opportunities for small farming on the shore.

Speakers include Bob Bloxom, former Secretary of Agriculture; Arthur Upshur of Copper Cricket Farms; John Johnston of Pickpenny Produce; Rick Felker of Mattawoman Farms representing Hampton Roads Buy Fresh Buy Local and Virginia Biological Farmers Association; The Onancock Market; and Steve Rideout, Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

The conference is free and open to the public.

The VES Land Trust encourages everyone interested in small farming on the Shore to attend.

Refreshments will be served; therefore, the VES Land Trust asks participants to please RSVP by January 31, 2012 at 757-442-5885.