Can't participate in the entire conference? Join us for our Local Foods Dinner on Friday evening, featuring seasonal food from Virginia farms, competitive cooking demonstrations from three local chefs, and our Keynote speaker Karl Hammer of Vermont Compost Company. Dinner begins 5:30.

Begins 7pm

The Late Registration rate begins January 16th. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the conference to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for the 2013 Conference.

The Late Registration rate begins January 16th. Join VABF today to begin benefits immediately. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the conference to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for the 2013 Conference.

Now that you’ve been growing awhile, it’s time to develop your intermediate to higher level growing techniques from long-time farmer, Ellen Polishuk. Co-owner of Potomac Vegetable Farms, Inc., Ellen has grown for farmer’s markets, roadside stands and CSA in Loudoun County, Virginia for over 20 years. Her organic methods yield significant production, high quality, and good profits. With specific focus on vegetables, greens,and herbs, Ellen will offer insight into medium to large-scale production (10 acres of vegetables, 10 acres of soil building crops). Topics to include: fertility, rotation, harvesting, and farm business management. She will also address labor and profitability issues. Discussion is encouraged so bring your questions! Minimum enrollment required. $85 members, $95 non-members - Lunch is included. (Thursday, Feb 7, 9am-5pm) Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the workshop to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 Conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for this workshop.

Now that you’ve been growing awhile, it’s time to develop your intermediate to higher level growing techniques from long-time farmer, Ellen Polishuk. Co-owner of Potomac Vegetable Farms, Inc., Ellen has grown for farmer’s markets, roadside stands and CSA in Loudoun County, Virginia for over 20 years. Her organic methods yield significant production, high quality, and good profits. With specific focus on vegetables, greens,and herbs, Ellen will offer insight into medium to large-scale production (10 acres of vegetables, 10 acres of soil building crops). Topics to include: fertility, rotation, harvesting, and farm business management. She will also address labor and profitability issues. Discussion is encouraged so bring your questions! Minimum enrollment required. $85 members, $95 non-members - Lunch is included. (Thursday, Feb 7, 9am-5pm) Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the workshop to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 Conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for this workshop.

We are hosting a One Day Farm School course on Thursday, February 7, utilizing the Whole Farm Planning curriculum developed as part of the Virginia Beginner Farmer and Rancher Coalition from Virginia Tech. The course is designed for those with 10 years or less farming experience, and includes presentations from successful farmers as well as extensive hand-outs and resources from the Whole Farm Planning curriculum. Complementary Farm Tour component on Friday morning. $75 - Lunch is included.

We will visit Watkins Nurseries' commercial compost operation Next stop will be Avery's Branch Farms in Amelia, where the Alexander family tend a herd of dairy cows and raise grass-fed beef and poultry, in addition to pastured layers and pork. $40 members, $45 non-members - Lunch is included. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the Tour to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 Conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for this tour.

We will visit Windmill Produce Farm's two greenhouses growing hydroponic lettuces, herbs, and microgreens. Next stop will be Twin Oaks Community's two-acre vegetable operation, which provides most food for 100 people year round through the use of their two greenhouses. Twin Oaks' Garden Manager, Pam Dawling, has just written a book (Sustainable Market Gardening) and is also presenting during the conference. $40 members, $45 non-members - Lunch is included. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the Tour to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 Conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for this tour.

We will visit Watkins Nurseries' commercial compost operation Next stop will be Avery's Branch Farms in Amelia, where the Alexander family tend a herd of dairy cows and raise grass-fed beef and poultry, in addition to pastured layers and pork. $40 members, $45 non-members - Lunch is included. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the Tour to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 Conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for this tour.

We will visit Windmill Produce Farm's two greenhouses growing hydroponic lettuces, herbs, and microgreens. Next stop will be Twin Oaks Community's two-acre vegetable operation, which provides most food for 100 people year round through the use of their two greenhouses. Twin Oaks' Garden Manager, Pam Dawling, has just written a book (Sustainable Market Gardening) and is also presenting during the conference. $40 members, $45 non-members - Lunch is included. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the Tour to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 Conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for this tour.

From 1:00 -4:30 Friday and 8:30-3:00 Saturday, youth ages 5-12 will be engaged in farm-based activities on site. Heather Jeffrey, homeschooling mother to four who has taught at the Richmond Waldorf school, will lead plant and food based games and crafts.

If you are registering more than one of your children for the youth program, the fee for subsequent children is just $30 each.

Join VABF today! You'll take advantage of the member rates immediately - so the membership pays for itself! You may become a member at any time. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the conference to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for the 2013 Conference.

Join VABF today! You'll take advantage of the member rates immediately - so the membership pays for itself! The Farm/Group rate is for farms, businesses, or organizations that wish to join and support the work of VABF. A group may register as many of its members for the conference at the member rate as it wishes. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the conference to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined last winter at the time of the 2012 conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for the 2013 Conference.

Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the conference to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for the 2013 Conference.

Questions? Please contact LorrieH7@swva.net or call 540-651-3227.

Questions? Please contact LorrieH7@swva.net or call 540-651-3227.

If you wish to make your organization's materials available to conference-goers you may do so through purchasing this ticket. Please mail your materials to VABF, 9501 Deer Range Rd, Moseley VA 23120.

Donations to VABF are always appreciated, and help us continue our important work of advancing organic agriculture through education, support, and advocacy.

The Regular Registration rate begins January 1st. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the conference to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for the 2013 Conference.

The Regular Registration rate begins January 1st. Join VABF today to begin benefits immediately. Remember: Your membership must be current at the time of the conference to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for the 2013 Conference.

Remember: You may become a member at any time and the membership benefits begin immediately. Your membership must be current at the time of the conference to take advantage of the member rate. If you joined or renewed last winter at the time of the 2012 Conference, you will need to purchase another membership when registering for the 2013 Conference.