'Tis the Season for hot weather, blue skies, evening storms, and an abundance of West Virginia locally grown food. Last week the United States celebrated the Farmers Market Coalition's National Farmers Market Week to spread awareness about the importance of shopping at farmers markets in our local communities. 

Although National Farmers Market Week only lasts one week, we encourage everyone to continue to celebrate, shop, and thank our producers at farmers markets until the end of the season. Check out the Farmers Market Coalition's infographic below for the many reasons to support farmers markets.    

Happy Reading, 

West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition
FOOD AND FARM EVENTS
Visit our events calendar: http://wvfoodandfarm.org/news-media/events
Harnessing Consumers & Communities to Help Meet U.S. Food Waste Reduction Goals Conference, Webinar and Networking Event in Columbus, OH on August 26th from 8:30AM to 4:00PM 

The United States set a food waste reduction goal of 50% by 2030 by forming a broad and inclusive public-private partnership. This webinar and event will feature national and local experts sharing their insights into the best practices for helping consumers and communities to reduce and divert food waste from landfills. To learn more and to register, click here.
Grant Info Session: USDA Rural Energy for America Program at WV HIVE in Beckley, West Virginia on September 8th at 1PM

Interested in applying for a grant through the USDA Rural Energy for America Program? Attend this info session to learn more. To register, visit here.
Free Webinar: "Farm to Institution: Focused on Equity and Impact" hosted by the Chesapeake Foodshed Network Coffee Talks on September 8th at 1PM

Hear from Common Market, Greener Pastures, and Guild House Farm about leveraging the purchasing power of food service operations, specific tools and initiatives to measure and promote local food procurement, and a case study about land-rich institutions partnering with farmers or farm organizations to raise food in collaboration with and in service of community. To learn more about the webinar and to register, click here.
United Plant Savers "Plant Immersion & Forest Growing" Workshop in Linden, Virginia on September 16th - 18th

Visit the Shenandoah for three days to learn more about wild and cultivated plants and their uses as food, medicine and utility. To learn more about the workshop and to register, click here.
7th National Small Farm Conference in Virginia Beach, VA on September 20- 22, 2016

The United States' premier conference addresses the needs, challenges and success of small farmers from Alaska to Alabama, from Maine to Maui, and even from countries far beyond our shores. Register here.
2016 Southeast Farm to School Conference on September 23-24, 2016 in Greenville, South Carolina

Hear from over 30 speakers, attend field trips, and participate in workshops on a wide variety of farm to school topics. For more information about the conference and to register, click here.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Proposal Deadline: October 1, 2016
Deadline: October 31, 2016 for projects < $80,000; Deadline March 31, 2017 for all project sizes

Deadline: October 6, 2016

Deadline: October 15, 2016
JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hiring Immediately


Deadline: September 15, 2016

Deadline: August 28, 2016
FOOD AND FARM RESOURCES
Visit our free library: http://wvfoodandfarm.org/resources/

The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications for their Farm Storage Facility Loan Program. Find out more about the program here.

The Quivira Coalition: New Agrarian Program includes information about and profiles of apprenticeship programs across the United States. The 120+ page book also includes a guide to developing an apprenticeship program on your farm. Preview and purchase the book here. 

WV FOODLINK, a research initiative of the Food Justice Laboratory housed in the Department of Geology and Geography at West Virginia University, is surveying various agencies providing food services and programs to food insecure communities. Add your agency to the map by completing the survey here.
FOOD AND FARM POLICY CORNER
State and National Policy Page: http://wvfoodandfarm.org/initiatives/policy/
NSAC Update: "GMO Labeling Bill Becomes Law: Now What?" Read the full blog post here.
Support the WV Food & Farm Coalition!
Your support will further our work to make local food more viable in West Virginia.