New look, same great news. In the New Year, the WV Food & Farm Coalition will be revealing several new programs and projects. We thought it only appropriate that our newsletter got a makeover to share all the exciting news. We hope you enjoy the new look as much as we do.

As you scroll through the newsletter, you will notice that conference season is upon us. We look forward to seeing the faces of our food and farm community and hearing the stories from the field/kitchen/office.

We'll be seeing you,

WVFFC Staff

FOOD AND FARM EVENTS

Visit our events calendar: http://wvfoodandfarm.org/news-media/events

Only 12 Days Left to Register for Local Foods Day 2016: At The Legislature and Celebratory Luncheon

Give local food and agriculture a voice this year! Join over 100 farmers, restaurant owners and chefs, local grocery stores, nonprofit organizations, service providers, and consumers at the State Capitol on January 26th, 2016 to speak with legislators and to show your support for the West Virginia local food and farm community. At the Celebratory Luncheon we will share a meal with foodshed communities and continue building relationships. We hope to see you on Tuesday, January 26th, 2016. Click here for more information and to register!

Southern SAWG 25th Annual Conference in Lexington, Kentucky

Join the WV Food & Farm Coalition at the Southern SAWG 2016 Conference: Practicing Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms on January 27th - 30th in Lexington, Kentucky. Register Here!

"Healthy Soil for Healthy Plants for Healthy People" NURTURING NATURE FOR FOOD QUALITY: 2016 Soil & Nutrition Conference

The 5th Annual 2016 Soil & Nutrition Conference on February 8-9, 2016 will gather farmers, researchers, nutritionists and food system advocates for a multidisciplinary conversation exploring the potential to improve food quality through regenerative agriculture that builds soil, crop and ecosystem health. We will explore how soil health and crop quality are interrelated, and how a renewed focus on the food qualities that industrial agriculture forgot - flavor and nutrition - can help drive transformation with important societal benefits. Sign up online!

WVU Extension Service Small Farm Conference

February 25th -27th, 2016

The WVU Extension Service Small Farm Center hosts the 12th Annual West Virginia Small Farm Conference at the Civic Center in Charleston, WV. Participate in workshops, listening sessions, panel discussions, and attend a trade show, seed swap and silent auction. Support West Virginia farmers and stock-up on winter-hardy foods, goods and products at the Winter Blues Farmers Market & Local Dine Around on Thursday, February 25th from 4PM- 7:30PM. Register Here!

WVU Extension Service Brings Back Annie's Project for 2016

Annie's Project provides the training, resources and networking opportunities for West Virginia women to help build viable, efficient and sustainable farm businesses. Small classroom sizes and local experts help provide support and networking opportunities that extend well beyond the course. For more information, visit the WVU Extension Service website here!

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Visit our grants calendar: http://wvfoodandfarm.org/news-media/grants-calendar/

Kresge Foundation Grant "Fresh, Local and Equitable: Food as a Creative Platform for Neighborhood Revitalization" Accepting Planning Grant Proposals	January 15th, 2016 at 5PM (EST)
Organic Farming Research Foundation Accepting Research Proposals	February 8th, 2016
WV Farm Service Agency - Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program & Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish	Various (Fall, Winter)
University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research and the USDA is Awarding Research Grants for "Understanding the Relationships between SNAP, Food Security, and Health in the National Health Interview Survey"	Letter of Intent Deadline: January 21, 2016
University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research and USDA is Accepting Research Proposals for "FoodAPS Research Initiative: Understanding SNAP, Food Security, and Geographic Factors in Food Purchase and Acquisition Decisions"	Letter of Intent Deadline: February 12, 2016
Are You an Agricultural Innovator in West Virginia? Apply for a Business Assistance Package Valued in Excess of $10,000 Through RCBI's Vanguard Agriculture Competition.	Deadline: January 29th, 2016 at 5PM.
ScottsMiracle-Gro is Supporting the Creation of More Than 1,000 Community Gardens and Green Spaces in the Markets They Serve. Apply for a Grant up to $1,500 for Community Gardens and Green Spaces.	Deadline: February 22, 2016

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rural Action in Ohio is Hiring a Director of Social Enterprise	No Deadline
The Cornucopia Institute is Hiring a Development and Communications Director	No Deadline
Round Right Farm in Terra Alta, WV is Hiring a Sustainable Farming Apprentice for the 2016 Growing Season	No Deadline
Allegheny Mountain Institute is seeking a qualified food and farm savvy leader to fulfill the position of its Executive Director.	No Deadline
Allegheny Mountain Institute is seeking a qualified, Jill or Jack-of-all to fulfill the position of its Farm Manager.	No Deadline

FOOD AND FARM RESOURCES

Visit our free library: http://wvfoodandfarm.org/resources/

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Releases a New Topic Brief on"Building Local and Regional Food Systems". The

new topic brief

provides an introduction to different facets of local and regional food systems and directs you to resources that can help stakeholders build robust community food systems. Click here to read the brief.

The National Incubator Farm Training Initiative has compiled the knowledge and experience of dozens of farm incubator projects across the U.S. to bring you the first edition of the NIFTI Farm Incubator Toolkit. Click here to view the Toolkit.

Food Day and The Center for Science and Policy in the Public Interest published a new report on the state of food education in the United States. Read the full report here!

Support the WV Food & Farm Coalition!

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