VAFMA News
Sarah Showalter and her husband, Shannon, are second-generation owners of Showalter’s Orchard & Old Hill Cidery in Timberville, VA. Sarah describes herself as: wife, mother, farmer, and business owner in this order because this is the order that she has stepped into these roles over the last 30 years. She is one part of a family business that has grown in leaps and bounds over the last 52 years.
During the Virginia Farmers Market Conference Sarah will share her thoughts on "Agritourism Success and Lessons."
Learn from this session and many more Nov 13-15 in Staunton. All the details + registration: vafma.org/conference-info/
#vafma2019
In "Finding Funding — How to Get to Yes" you'll learn about funding opportunities available to support local farmer’s markets in Virginia.
State and federal grant makers will provide an overview of their programing, describe funding priorities, types of grant and loan programs available, provide guidance on the application process and when funding decisions are made.
We'll hear from:
Tim Pfohl, Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission;
Melissa Ball, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Specialty Crop Block Grant Program;
Emily Flippo, AFID Fund Program;
Anne Herring, USDA, Rural Development;
Julia Clark, VA FAIRS
Rebecca Rowe, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
Learn from this session and many more at the Virginia Farmers Market Conference, Nov 13-15 in Staunton.
All the details + registration: vafma.org/conference-info/
#vafma2019
During "Business Essentials: Strengthening Your Farmers Market Enterprise” (led by Virginia Foodshed Capital co-founder Michael Reilly) we will hear from a panel of experienced market vendors including Heather Coiner who runs Little Hat Creek Farm in Nelson County with her husband Ben Stowe.
They grow dozens of varieties of seasonal vegetables and berries using ecological practices. They also have an on-farm wood-fired bakery, overseen by Heather, used to produce sourdough breads – using mostly local and regional organic grains – and sumptuous pastries. They have been running Little Hat Creek Farm since 2013 and sell their products at Charlottesville’s City Market, the Nelson County Farmer’s Market, and the South of the James Market in Richmond, as well as the IX Winter Market in Charlottesville.
Heather, who has a Ph.D. in plant ecology, is the founding chairperson of the Common Grain Alliance (CGA), a non-profit whose mission is to connect farmers, millers, bakers, and eaters in the Mid-Atlantic. Heather also completed a business planning class at Staunton Creative Community Fund. She and Ben are parents of two-year old twins, Samuel and Hazel.
Details + registration for the Virginia Farmers Market Conference: vafma.org/conference-info/
#vafma2019
The folks at Farmspread will be with us at the Virginia Farmers Market Conference sharing their insights on using technology to streamline market operations and data collection.
Make plans to be there Nov 13-15 in Staunton, VA!
vafma.org/conference-info/
#vafma2019
Conference Logistics for attendees - mailchi.mp/77a9c6c753fa/2019-conference-logistics