TRADE EVENTS
January 24 – March 13, 2012
Growers Academy
Tuesdays 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Virginia Tech Roanoke Center
Roanoke Higher Education Building
108 North Jefferson Street
Roanoke
An 8 week learning series focused on organic and low input production. Courses designed to help new and transitioning vegetable and cut-flower businesses succeed. Instructors include resource professionals and farm business owners. For more information contact Christy Gabbard at 540.767.6114 or Email: cgunnels@vt.edu.
Help for Small Businesses in Southern Virginia
Will you help more businesses get started and help existing businesses be more prosperous in Southern Virginia in 2012?
Working in collaboration with many local, regional, state and federal business assistance providers, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance is delighted to announce a series of FREE Entrepreneur Express seminars in Southern Virginia. These seminars will cover important business topics like business planning, marketing, promotion and financing. The sessions will generally run from 8 to 12 and we be delivered at the nearest Southside Virginia Community College location. Additionally, business assistance providers will be exhibiting throughout the morning to help local businesses connect to valuable resources. For more detailed information on specific events in your market, click on the links below:
| February 9 | Halifax |
| February 22 | Nottoway |
| March 14 | Greensville |
| March 22 | Cumberland |
| March 29 | Mecklenburg |
| April 11 | Charlotte |
| May 9 | Mecklenburg |
Will you please help us promote these events by distributing the flyer below? By distributing this information to aspiring entrepreneurs as well as existing small businesses, you are contributing to the economic success of the region. By working together, we can grow the business community in Southern Virginia!!
Farm Link and Transition Pilot Workshop
February 11, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex 19783 US Hwy 29 South
Chatham, VA 24531
Feb. 10 – 16, 2012
North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association Annual Convention
Williamsburg Marriott
Williamsburg, VA
North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association is a trade association dedicated to nurturing the farm direct marketing industry. The convention includes a three-day Bus Tour, Workshops, a day of Conference concurrent sessions and a Trade Show.
February 10-11, 2012
Virginia Biological Farming Conference
Holiday Inn Koger Center
Richmond, VA
Transitioning to Organic Agriculture. Conference will include production education on Growing Elderberries, Organic Seeds, Mushrooms, Livestock, Poultry, Weed Management and much more.
February 22, 2012
2012 Strawberry School & Trade Show
The Advance Technology Center
1800 College Crescent
Tidewater Community College Campus
Virginia Beach, VA
8:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Updates on soil fumigation, plant diseases and control, marketing, strawberry production issues and more. For information and registration contact Jill Wright at 757.385.4769 or Email:jwright@vbgov.com. Register by February 17.
February 27-28, 2012
2012 Local Food Networks Conference
Virginia Farm Bureau
Richmond, Virginia
Learn about Marketing, Branding and Packaging, Regulations, Food Distribution and Food Hubs, Labor Issues and Hiring plus so much more about building local food networks. Cost is $25 and includes lunch and conference materials. For more information or to register, contact Chris Cook E-mail: ccook@vafb.com or call 804.290.1111
March 13, 2012
Farming the Internet
Virginia Farmers Direct Marketing Association Workshop
J. Sargent Reynolds Community College
Dickinson Road (VA-396N)
Goochland, VA 23063
This workshop is for beginners wanting to establish a Web presence.
March 14, 2012
Farming Is A Business - Grow It Right
Virginia Farmers Direct Marketing Association Workshop
J. Sargent Reynolds Community College
Dickinson Road (VA-396N)
Goochland, VA 23063
This workshop is for beginners wanting to establish a Web presence.
March 13-14, 2012
The Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade
Omni Hotel, Richmond, VA
For the 4th year in a row the conference organizers are excited to offer this outstanding workshop on the international trade of agricultural goods. We are especially honored that Governor McDonnell, who has been an ardent advocate for and a staunch promoter of increasing Virginia exports, has agreed to add his name to this important event.
REGISTRATION OPENS IN DECEMBER, 2011
For information on sponsorship opportunities,questions, assistance,
or to be added to mailing list, contact:
Brenda at 804.290.1155 or brenda.fleming@vafb.com or
Spencer at 804.290.1153 or spencer.neale@vafb.com
March 15, 2012
Virginia Berry Production and Marketing Conference
Virginia State University
Petersburg
Blackberry and blueberry production, including organic. Bramble plant nutrition, Research results of a two-year study on High Tunnel raspberry production in Virginia. Marketing brambles and more. Call 804.524.5834 or email cmullins@vsu.edu for more information.
March 28, 2012
The Virginia Food and Beverage Expo
- Hundreds of Virginia Food & Beverage Products on Display
- Latest Food Trends, New Products and Tasty Samples
- Free Admission for Food and Beverage Buyers
- Register Today ~ www.vaexpo.com
Wineries Unlimited Trade Show and Conference
Conference: March 27-29, 2012
Trade Show: March 28-29, 2012
Greater Richmond Convention Center
May 5, 2012
Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival
Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Tom’s Cove Park, 8128 Beebe Rd., Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
This event is held to promote the seafood industry on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The all you can eat festival offers fresh, local seafood and will include exciting offerings and signature dishes from local restaurants as well as old and new Eastern Shore favorites prepared by famous festival cooks, volunteers, and professionals. Little neck clams, a long-time festival staple, will be available along with fish, clams and oysters prepared in a variety of ways. A few menu items for the land-lubbers will also be available. Soft drinks and water are included in the ticket price. Beer will be available for purchase. There will be live entertainment for everyone’s enjoyment. This is an advance ticketed event. There are usually no tickets sold at the gate. The Chamber accepts all major credit cards. There is a $5 shipping and handling fee per order. Serving begins at 12:00 noon and ends at 4:00 p.m. No pets inside the festival grounds. The Chincoteague Seafood Festival is held rain or shine. All sales final. Call the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce for details.