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Check back soon for future events as the 2010 Workshops are being planned!

2009 Workshops Spearheaded:

VAFEP

The purpose of the Virginia Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship Program (VAFEP) is to support new and existing innovative value-added food processing and food production enterprises and to strengthen agriculture and food economic development opportunities in the Virginia Piedmont region through a series of educational workshops.

The VAFEP presents an excellent strategy for local agriculture and food entrepreneurs to immediately and positively impact the piedmont area economy and regional foodshed by gaining valuable information about important food safety regulations, business planning tools and local food marketing techniques. 

Learning from experts such as local agriculture and food entrepreneurs, professionals at the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Thomas Jefferson Health District, Virginia Tech, Central Virginia Small Business Development Center and Piedmont Environmental Council will allow new and existing agricultural and food-based business developers to strengthen there knowledge and understanding of these important topics, which will ultimately help generate economic impacts for there businesses and for the local economy.

The direct producer-to-consumer exchange of locally produced food with those who consume it, helps to create local economic development and sustainable community food systems, integrating all members of a community, promoting sustainable agriculture, strengthening our family farms, enhancing socio-economic wellbeing and incubating new generations of farmers. This relationship also connects rural residents with urban dwellers, and unites agricultural lands with non-farming land, in the process, strengthening our communities.

Enhancing our communities through the development of local and regional food systems gives us the ability to strengthen the web that interconnects all aspects and all members of society, thereby creating a more unified community. As a result, we construct an environment that is more economically diverse, environmentally sustainable and socially interconnected.

Other Community Interests:

Upcoming 2010, PEC is planning on hosting a course at PVCC called “Exploring the Small Farm Dream” on Feb. 2, 8, 15 and 22 (optional field trip on 3/6)

...Go... Local!

Contact VAFEP

Virginia Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship Program

Please see lower side bar for ongoing community events, scheduled for 2010

Purchase entire Spring 2009 Workshop Series on DVD

Print and View Presentations

Why the workshops? ...food safety and small food entrepreneurs

 

In this video Meet The Farmer TV examines the need for and the planning of the first set of workshops...

The 2009 Workshop Highlights:

Spring 2009 March 30 and April 6

The Spring 2009 Event was held at the Albemarle County Office Building Room A
Power Point Presentations: http://offices.ext.vt.edu/view.cfm?p=52858..

The Fall 2009 Event blog: http://vagaf.blogspot.com/
Power Point Presentation: http://vagaf.blogspot.com/2009/11/presentations.html

Where do I start?

If you are ready to start your business or if you have a Food Based Business already, here are some documents and guides to give some background and general information. (Please note that this site will contain data and curriculum from the first workshops, left in tact as a stepping stone to future community enhancement and education.)

 

In the spring of 2009, a series of workshops were held in Albemarle County that provided information and training on how to start and operate a food-based business in Virginia. The program aims to increase the quality and quantity of regionally produced food and value-added food products as a means to incorporate sustainable agriculture into our local economy. The curriculum included the following topics:

  • How to comply with Virginia food processing and food safety regulations
  • Which inspections and certifications are recommended or required for which products
  • When food products need to be analyzed and evaluated
  • How to market and sell locally-made products
  • How to develop business plans and manage bookkeeping
  • Panel discussions featuring successful food producers and retailers looking for locally made foods
  • And more!

Check out our guided links!

The VAFEP has developed resources and website links, covering the content of the workshops that are available throughout this website.

Please Check Back for Future Workshops and Other Related Happenings!

For more information, contact Dawn Story at (434)-977-2033 or dstory@pecva.org.    Spring 2009 get directions or use dynamic map

This project is made possible, in part, by a Sustainable Community Innovation Grant from the Southern SARE Program and the Southern Rural Development Center. The dedication and generosity of the following organizations and individuals are also responsible for creating this program:

Piedmont Environmental Council; Growing Food & Community, Dawn Story
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Matt Benson, Jillian Davis
Central Virginia Small Business Development Center, Nora Gillespie
Planet Earth Diversified, Michael Clark and Leslie Jenkins
Scottsville Farmers Market/Scottsville Chamber of Commerce, Michelle Maggiore
Meet the Farmer TV: Melli Productions, Michael Clark of Planet Earth Diversified,
& Leslie Jenkins Photography and Design
Virginia Foundation for Agriculture Innovation & Rural Sustainability, Chris Cook
Charlottesville City Market/Charlottesville Parks & Recreation, Stephanie Anderegg-Maloy
Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District


NEWS UPDATE: 2010

Natural Resource and Conservation Service is offering
Hoop House Funding,
announced, January 22, 2010

NYtimes: USDA to Drop National Animal Identification System
(NAIDS), February 5, 2010